One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Karina Velez. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Jessica Karina Velez is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy in Cook County's 16th Judicial Subcircuit (the seat vacated by the Hon. Mendoza). Subcircuit boundaries are drawn within Cook County; only voters living in that subcircuit see this race on their ballot. Listed from the Illinois State Board of Elections' certified 2026 general election candidate list.
Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
Illinois › Cook County › Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza
Democratic
Jessica Karina Velez is a first-generation Ecuadorian American who was born and raised in Chicago, per her campaign site. She has over a decade of legal experience across the private and public sectors and has been involved in pro bono service and bar-association volunteer work, per her campaign site.
Who is running for Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Karina Velez. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza election in Illinois?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.
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Candidate roster from official Cook County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
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