The Ballot Brief
Cook County, Illinois

Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke

One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Steven Q. McKenzie. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Steven Q. McKenzie is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a countywide vacancy on the Circuit Court of Cook County (the seat vacated by the Hon. Burke). This seat is elected countywide, outside Cook's judicial subcircuits. Illinois circuit judgeships are decided in contested partisan elections, unlike judicial retention questions. Listed from the Illinois State Board of Elections' certified 2026 general election candidate list.

What this office does

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. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Illinois › Cook County › Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke

Steven Q. McKenzie

Democratic

Biography

Steven Q. McKenzie is a public-interest lawyer running for Cook County Circuit Court judge, per his campaign website. He is endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party and has received multiple bar association ratings, per the same source.

Next on your ballotCircuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Cobbs

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Steven Q. McKenzie. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. Burke 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.

How do I see my exact Cook County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Cook County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Cook County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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Also on your ballot
Circuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. CoghlanCircuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. HooksCircuit Court, Cook County, Vacancy of Hon. KarkulaSee all 135 Cook County races
Candidate profiles
Steven Q. McKenzie, full profileOfficial Illinois election office