Will County, Illinois

Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 5th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Petrungaro

One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 5th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Petrungaro on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Erin O'Brien. Candidate information follows official Will County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Erin O'Brien is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit of the 12th Judicial Circuit (the seat vacated by the Hon. Petrungaro). The 12th Judicial Circuit covers Will County, but this subcircuit seat is elected only by voters inside its own subcircuit boundaries (this county list cannot narrow which part; check your sample ballot or county clerk). 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 › Will County › Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 5th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Petrungaro

Erin O'Brien

Republican

Top priorities

Keeping politics out of the courtroom and following the law impartially
Making the judicial system more efficient
Holding offenders accountable

Per the campaign site.

Biography

O'Brien is an attorney and small business owner who opened a Joliet family law practice in 2008, handling divorce, child support, and custody cases and conducting more than 700 court-appointed and voluntary mediations, per the campaign site. O'Brien previously handled personal injury and criminal defense cases in Will County and has served as past president of the Will County Bar Association, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotIllinois Senate District 14

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 5th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Petrungaro in 2026?

When is the Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 5th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Petrungaro 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 Will 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 Will County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Will County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Illinois Senate District 15 Illinois Senate District 17 Illinois Senate District 21 See all 37 Will County races

Candidate profiles

Erin O'Brien, full profile Official Illinois election office