Rock Island County, Illinois

Judicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee (14th Judicial Circuit)

One candidate is tracked for Judicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee (14th Judicial Circuit) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John L. McGehee. Candidate information follows official Rock Island County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee faces a yes/no retention vote to remain in office as Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit, per the county's certified sample ballot; retention requires a 60% yes vote under Illinois law.

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. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. The sitting officeholder, John L. McGehee, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Illinois › Rock Island County › Judicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee (14th Judicial Circuit)

John L. McGehee

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

John L. McGehee currently serves as a circuit judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit and is Presiding Judge of the Civil Division in Rock Island County, per Rock Island County government. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as a resident circuit judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit effective May 1, 2019, after serving as Rock Island County State's Attorney since 2012 and, before that, 23 years in private practice as a partner at a Rock Island law firm, per the Illinois State Bar Association. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee (14th Judicial Circuit) in 2026?

When is the Judicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge John L. McGehee (14th Judicial Circuit) 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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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 Rock Island County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Rock Island County ballot

23 tracked races in Rock Island County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Illinois Senate District 47 Illinois House District 71 Illinois House District 72 See all 23 Rock Island County races

Candidate profiles

John L. McGehee, full profile Official Illinois election office