Winnebago County, Illinois

Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 1st Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Lowry

One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 1st Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Lowry on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Erin C. Hannigan. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Erin C. Hannigan is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit of the 17th Judicial Circuit (the seat vacated by the Hon. Lowry). The 17th Judicial Circuit covers Boone and Winnebago counties, 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 › Winnebago County › Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 1st Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Lowry

Erin C. Hannigan

Democratic

Biography

Erin Hannigan is a Resident Circuit Judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court effective January 20, 2026 to fill the vacancy left by Chief Judge John Lowry's retirement, per the 17th Judicial Circuit. She was Rockford's assistant city attorney from 2023 and an assistant public defender in Winnebago County from 2005, per the same release. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from Hamline University, per the release. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.

Next on your ballotCircuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 1st Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Lowry in 2026?

When is the Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 1st Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Lowry 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 Winnebago 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 Winnebago 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 Winnebago County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Winnebago County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Winnebago County Board District 1 Winnebago County Board District 4 Winnebago County Board District 5 See all 29 Winnebago County races

Candidate profiles

Erin C. Hannigan, full profile Official Illinois election office