John D. Hay
Republican
Biography
No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephenson County, Illinois
Circuit Court, 15th Judicial Circuit, Vacancy of Hon. Ward
Stephenson County, Illinois
Circuit Court, 15th Judicial Circuit, Vacancy of Hon. Ward
One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, 15th Judicial Circuit, Vacancy of Hon. Ward on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John D. Hay. Candidate information follows official Stephenson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
About this race
John D. Hay is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court (the seat vacated by the Hon. Ward). The 15th Judicial Circuit covers Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle and Stephenson counties; every voter there votes on this seat. 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.