Winnebago County, Illinois

Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty

One candidate is tracked for Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Scott Robinson. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Scott Robinson is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy in the 2nd Subcircuit of the 17th Judicial Circuit (the seat vacated by the Hon. Doherty). 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, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty

Scott Robinson

Republican

Top priorities

Bringing fairness, integrity and a deep respect for the law to the circuit court
Drawing on his experience and personal background to serve residents with compassion

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Robinson was appointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit by the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2024, per the campaign site. He graduated with honors from Northern Illinois University and earned his law degree with honors from the University of Illinois College of Law, then worked at small law firms and served as an assistant state's attorney in Ogle County and later Winnebago County, per the campaign site. He also taught at Hononegah High School in Rockton for nine years before returning to the law, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty in 2026?

When is the Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Doherty 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 4 Winnebago County Board District 5 Winnebago County Board District 6 See all 29 Winnebago County races

Candidate profiles

Scott Robinson, full profile Official Illinois election office