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A N A L Y S I S

The grey areas in the Black and White of the 7th Congressional District

By BILL DWYER With the announcement that Cong.

Danny Davis would retire after his current term, a torrent of Democratic candidates has joined the race to replace him, competing in a crowded Democratic primary on March 17 that will effectively select the 7th District’s representative in this overwhelmingly blue district.

With Davis having held the seat for 30 years this is a once in multiple generations opportunity to win a seat in Congress. The 13 Democratic candidates for the seat represent an array of political views, levels of experience and races. And they seek election in a vast congressional district which has seen substantial demographic shifts as neighborhoods around the Loop have increased with a well-to-do, largely

Revs. Acree, Hatch recall Jesse Jackson’s passion for the West Side

Civil rights leader played a role in mentoring the two pastors in Austin and West Garfield Park

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

white population, even as the Black population of the West Side has diminished and a growing percentage of Proviso Township has become Hispanic.

What’s the impact of that demographic change? Why are voting habits more important than total population groups?

How will substantial outside campaign funding impact the final month of the

On Feb. 17, Rev. Jesse Jackson died at age 84.

A civil rights activist and politician known across the country and the world, Jackson lived in Chicago and was well-respected on the West Side.

Rev. Marshall Hatch, senior pastor of the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park, said that, when many others overlooked the West Side, Jackson never did.

“The West Side has appreciated the attention that we got, the relationships that were forged that were valuable to him,” Hatch told Austin Weekly News. “He preached in our churches. He’s known to our folk here.”

“Although Rev. Jackson has been a global

See 7TH DISTRICT on page 11

See JESSE JACKSON on page 4

13 Democratic candidates crowd race to replace Danny Davis Contributing Reporter

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Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

Developers present proposal for East Garfield Park youth athletics and arts education hub Community worries about gentrification, impact on existing community garden

AUSTIN WEEKLY

news

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf Staff Reporter Jessica Mordacq

By IGOR STUDENKOV

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Contributing Reporter

Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman

East Garfield Park residents responded to the proposal to build an athletics and culture hub on the two city-owned lots near the intersection of Madison Street and Fifth Avenue with curiosity and skepticism.

The proposed redevelopment of the .95acre site at 2905-29 W. Madison St. and 2900-14 W. Fifth Ave. is part of a broader city effort to revitalize the Madison Street corridor on the Near West Side and into East and West Garfield Parks. The Chicago Department of Planning and Developing received two proposals. On Jan. 14, it announced that it picked the proposal spearheaded by The Brim Foundation and P3 Markets to build a 30,000-square-foot Madison Street Athletic & Cultural Complex, which will offer classes and programs for local youth.

On Feb. 19, the city department held a community meeting at BandWith [sic] performing arts center to share more details.

The presentation described a three-story building that would include athletic fields, a music studio, an event space and a rooftop community garden, among other amenities. Throughout the presentation, the development team emphasized that what they were presenting was not a final design, and that they would take community feedback into account.

The project still needs to clear some zoning changes and would most likely require city funding.

Madison Street was the West Side’s busiest and most vibrant commercial corridor until the riots that erupted in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968.

The Madison Street Corridor Study is just the latest in the long line of projects and initiatives that seek to revitalize the corridor.

The Brim Foundation was founded by TV host and actor Sterling “Steelo” Brim last year. While he currently lives on the West Coast, he grew up in East Garfield Park. Keisha Parham, the project manager for the foundation, said Brim wanted to give back to his home community, and creating something that will help kids become athletes and creatives was a

Reporting Partners Block Club Chicago Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan IGOR STUDENKOV

Rendering of the Madison Street Athletic & Cultural Complex good start. She said they see the Athletic & Cultural Complex as a “a cornerstone project,” the first of many investments to come.

Other team members include P3 Markets development firm, bKL [sic] Architecture firm and Bowa Construction company, The Feb. 19 meeting included a presentation, followed by an “open house” where residents could look at display boards and ask questions directly to development team members and department staff.

During the presentation, Biran Hacker, a city planner spearheading the West Side projects, said the city originally put three Madison Street properties out to bid.

While he said his department received bids for all three “clusters,” it felt that only The Brim proposal could attract enough private funding to make it viable.

“We want to make sure we’re financing projects that we feel are viable,” he said. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive applications we felt were viable for the other clusters.”

Hacker said other factors the city considered included how the proposals aligned with existing community plans and priorities.

Issac Persley, the director at bKL, said that the ground floor will include a cafe, a wellness center, and an indoor baseball diamond. There will be another athletic field outdoors, on the south portion of the site.

Parham told Austin Weekly News that the cafe is a “concept” that still needs to

be fleshed out.

The second floor would include a music studio and a creative arts space. The third floor would have a training kitchen, a cafe that would sell some food the students make, and the event space.

As Persley acknowledged, the development will displace a community garden that’s been on the lots for 10 years. To make up for that loss, they plan to include a rooftop garden that the community will be able to use.

“We know there is a community garden on the site; we know it’s well-used,” he said. “We want to keep it.”

He said the development team will be working with artist Theaster Gates and his Rebuild Foundation to incorporate art into the building design. Persley said they wanted to involve local artists as well.

Steven Stultz, an East Garfield Park pastor who objected to many development proposals over concerns that they would encourage gentrification, told Austin Weekly News that while he believed the city “had the agenda of gentrification and displacement,’ he believed it possible to avert that.

“I believe in the sincere intentions of the people behind the project,” he said. “I hope we can work with them to stabilize the community.”

See CULTURAL COMPLEX on page 8

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4 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

JESSE JACKSON

Remembering an icon from page 1 leader, we’ve always had his ear. Wherever he was, we could always reach him,” Rev. Ira Acree, lead pastor of Greater St John Bible Church in Austin, told Austin Weekly News.

Jackson was a mentor to Acree and Hatch, along with several other pastors in Chicago, carrying on the legacy he was taught by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The work of Jesse Jackson continues through us,” Acree said. “In fact, the work of Dr. King does because Rev. Jackson is our direct mentor, but he was a protege of Dr. King, so we consider Dr. King our spiritual grandfather.”

Both Acree and Hatch played a large role in the West Side branch of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which aims to protect and gain civil rights to create equitable economic and educational opportunities. Jackson founded the coalition in 1971, which grew out of King’s Operation Breadbasket initiative. King appointed Jackson as the initiative’s first di-

TODD BANNOR

Rev. Ira Acree, with community faith leaders, speaks at a prayer vigil for Jesse Jackson at Greater St. John Bible Church on Feb. 17. rector in Chicago to help more Black people secure employment. Jackson was also with King on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when he was killed in 1968.

Hatch served as the national director of religious affairs for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and when it launched its West Side branch around 2001, Hatch was its first

president.

“Being able to access him, spend time with him, it was almost like a graduate seminar in seminary and what it means to do ministry,” Hatch said of working and traveling with Jackson with the coalition. “With his spirit, you can see that he intentionally spent time to mentor and pour himself into people.”

Acree was head of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s West Side branch after Hatch.

He protested and traveled with Jackson and called on him when he needed advice.

“It still amazes me that, if something was going on in Austin and I need some direction on how to respond, how to speak out, how to organize a protest, or what to say, I could get him on the phone and he would give me some tips and some nuggets to approach the challenges. It’s unbelievable that you get a call back the same day from Rev. Jesse Jackson.”

Acree recalls the first time he saw Jackson in person, when the civil rights icon spoke at the University of Illinois Chicago while Acree was a student there. Acree met Jackson about 15 years later in 1999 at one of the reverend’s forums.

“I remember saying to him, ‘I’m just speechless because I had no idea that I would get an opportunity to get in your office, get face to face, have a conversation with you so

Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

5

FILE 2015

TODD BANNOR

Rev. Marshall Hatch, remembers Jesse Jackson. easily.’ He said, ‘I don’t know why you’re so surprised. The line for service has always been short.’ That was how our relationship began.”

The last time Jackson attended St John Bible Church was about two years ago, Acree said. Later in 2024, the church

added Jackson’s visage to its Freedom Window, which depicts Jesus, King and other icons in Black history. Jackson never saw it.

Jackson’s work inspired Acree and Hatch to help launch their own organization, the Leader’s Network, a group of

Elect Anthony Driver Jr.

Democrat for U.S. Congress in IL-07

Rev. Jesse Jackson, with community leaders and elected officials, during a press conference in 2015, at his Rainbow/Push headquarters on the South Side. The leaders were calling for President Obama to convene a White House conference on gun violence in the city of Chicago. faith and community leaders working to improve the quality of life on Chicago’s West Side.

“The Leader’s Network is an offshoot and has its roots in our work at the Rainbow PUSH,” Hatch said.

To carry on Jackson’s legacy, Hatch said

he’ll carry on his passion for his work, for social justice, and caring for those who are marginalized.

“I would like to feel that I inherited that passion from our relationship, that it’s something I’ll be engaged in, like he was, literally to the day that I die.”

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6 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

7TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Felix Tello’s congressional run for constituents: ‘The people are my agenda’ Engineer created an app that allows public voting on individual bills with results sent to representatives

district wants. I don’t have an agenda. The people are my agenda.”

An engineer by trade, Tello had the idea for a platform like Vote Our Way over 20 years ago. When Richard Nixon was president, he started realizing how corrupt Congress is and wanted to find a way to change that.

“They make promises to the district to do something, and they get to Congress and they

By JESSICA MORDACQ completely get assimilated. They get assimiStaff Reporter lated by the money, by the party, and they forget about who elected Editor’s note: Ahead of the them, who hired them to do the March 17 primary, Growing job,” Tello said.

Community Media is profiling So about five years ago, Tello the candidates running in the 7th gathered 20-some people across Congressional District in Illinois. the country to help him build Whoever wins the November Vote Our Way to allow constituelection will succeed Rep. Danny ents a direct voice in Congress by Davis, who is retiring after nearly voting on every piece of legisla30 years in the position. This week, tion. After the primary election, GCM reports on Felix Tello.

Tello plans to further develop the FELIX TELLO app for state governments.

Felix Tello’s platform in the “If I don’t win, my journey hasn’t ended. I 7th district congressional race is to be nothing but a voice for constituents. His am here to represent the people, and to hold new secure app, Vote Our Way, is available whoever gets to Congress accountable,” Tello to download as a way for voters to submit said. “I know I can do it because I’ll have the to representatives their preferences on in- data.”

Though Vote Our Way is now live, while dividual bills — in just 15 minutes a week door-knocking before its launch, Tello from the comfort of their home.

“It’s not my job to come up with the agenda heard from constituents some feedback that or the needs of the people. It’s the people’s job spurred him to propose five new acts: ■ The Democracy Forward Act would put to tell me,” Tello said, adding that currently, constituents have little access to their repre- provisions in place to prevent executive oversentatives. “These congresspeople are bring- reach.

■ The Economic Engine and Jobs Act ing forward their agenda as they think the

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would empower non-union workers by funding skill improvement opportunities and having large companies allocate a certain percentage of profits to employees.

■ The Immigration Reform Act would retain the economic power of immigration while addressing violent crime and ending mass deportation.

■ “Not only is it wrong to treat people that way,” Tello said of how the Trump administration is dealing with immigration, “but it’s stupid with the economy. If you want to get the criminals out, go for it, but do it constitutionally. Don’t violate their rights to do it. You don’t want to take a broad stroke at it because undocumented people produce $350 billion in economic value nationally.”

■ The Health and Human Rights Act would keep the government from interfering in anyone’s medical or health decisions. Tello is for universal health care and said Congress needs to appropriate more money to it by restoring Trump’s cuts to the Affordable Care Act. He also wants to create another entitlement program for those who don’t get health insurance either through their jobs or Medicaid.

■ The Village Act would create legislation that lifts up those who are economically, physically, mentally or educationally disadvantaged. It would create a federal agency to oversee funds to charity, allow individuals and businesses to opt into a tax with full credit, and create programs for job training, mental health, housing and education.

■ In an interview the day civil rights leader Jesse Jackson died, Tello quoted him, “‘We’re not a perfect people, yet we are called to a perfect mission. Our mission is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to house the homeless, to teach the illiterate, to provide jobs for the jobless, and to choose the human race.’ That’s what I want to turn my Village Act into, and I want to turn the Austin neighborhood first because they’re the furthest behind.”

Tello worked as an engineer for 37 years, many at Siemens, where he said he learned how to be an expert in change, identifying the goals and solutions for specific problems.

“I’ve got more experience and wisdom in

doing that because that’s what I did for 37 years,” Tello said. “When I get to Congress, it’s not only my job to introduce the priorities and the legislation, it’s my job to make progress on that agenda and to negotiate across the aisle. … little chewable bites at a time. But the Democratic Party is all about one big elephant — swallow it all, Republicans, because we want it all.”

The 28th Amendment Born in Colombia, Tello became a citizen at 21. Today, he carries around a pocket-sized version of the U.S. Constitution and considers himself a constitutionalist.

“The Constitution says, ‘We the people,’ starts with those three freaking words. ‘The people’ is gone. It doesn’t exist in this country because of Congress, because of the corruption that exists,” Tello said.

As a constitutionalist, Tello aims to educate voters across the country about the 28th Amendment, or Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

First drafted in the 1920s, both the Senate and House passed the amendment in 1972.

In a preamble that’s not legally binding, Congress gave a deadline of 7 years for the standard three-fourths of the country’s states to ratify an amendment before it becomes national law. In 2020, the 38th state ratified the amendment, but the Trump Administration said the deadline to add the amendment to the Constitution had passed.

“Millions of people are suffering. They can’t get an abortion when they want. They can’t see their medical doctor. They can’t get married across the country. They can’t free the nipple if they want. They can’t breastfeed when they want,” Tello said.

Other Democratic candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for Davis’s seat include Richard Boykin, Kina Collins, Melissa Conyears-Ervin, David Ehrlich, Anthony Driver Jr., Dr. Thomas Fisher, La Shawn Ford, Jason Friedman, Rory Hoskins, Anabel Mendoza, Jazmin Robinson and Reed Showalter. Republican candidates are Chad Koppie and Patricia Easley.

Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

7

National nonprofit news group takes over GCM publications NEWSWELL, a nonprofit affiliated with Arizona State U, has assumed leadership of Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark; goal is financial stability

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

For the first time in the newspapers’ long histories, Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Forest Park Review will have out-of-state owners.

The papers, run as nonprofit publications under the Growing Community Media umbrella since 2020, are now part of nonprofit journalism group NEWSWELL’s portfolio of publications. The GCM papers are the organization’s first holdings outside of the state of California and the only regular print publications included among the group’s titles.

No immediate changes for the papers are anticipated.

GCM will cease to exist as an entity following a brief transition period, with the organization donating its publications to

NEWSWELL. All of GCM’s employees are being retained in their current roles by the new ownership, including Executive Director Max Reinsdorf, who until now carried an interim title, and longtime Editor Dan Haley.

The move comes amid longstanding financial issues for GCM, with the organization terminating its lease last summer for the Oak Park office space that staffers had occupied since the 1980s.

This deal represents the clearest path to financial sustainability for the papers in recent memory, Reinsdorf said in an interview.

“Our struggles showed that we didn’t necessarily have a guaranteed path to continued news coverage for the decades to come, and that was a realization that the GCM board had over the summer,” said Reinsdorf. “We have a path towards standing the test of time with NEWSWELL, and

it puts us in a position to be stronger and more resilient than we were before.”

Founded in 2024, NEWSWELL is a nonprofit affiliated with Arizona State University (ASU) that provides centralized support to local publications in areas including legal support, business strategy and human resources administration.

That help is desperately needed for the four papers, Reinsdorf said.

“Donating these assets to NEWSWELL allows us to get the expertise and the resources that GCM had been seeking that had been out of reach for us,” he said.

“From a financial perspective, there’s revenue upside and there’s also savings to be had by NEWSWELL taking over the backend functions.”

“It allows me to see a much stronger financial picture for us.”

The group’s other publications include Stocktonia covering Stockton, CA, Times

of San Diego covering San Diego County and Santa Barbara News-Press, the onetime bankrupt paper of record for the oceanside city that NEWSWELL recently helped resurrect as a digital publication.

The group has ambitions to expand to wherever local news needs support, said NEWSWELL’s Executive Director Nicole Carroll. The GCM newspapers fit exactly what the group was looking for, Carroll said.

“I’m really impressed with the four news titles, all of them make a difference in their communities, all of them are the source of truth for their communities, they’re all respected,” she said. “That’s really important for NEWSWELL; when we partner with someone … it’s important that they do solid journalism, that they’re of their communities and that they’re respected by See NEWSWELL on page 8

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NEWSWELL

New ownership from page 7

This concert will take you on a musical journey through American traditions and the music that reflects the richness of 250 years of our country and its people. Wonderful and surprising arrangements of America the Beautiful by Frank La Rocco and the Star Spangled Banner by Paul Laprade, a premiere of Lacrimosa by Paul Carey, the well-known Alleluia by Randall Thompson, and an exciting Alleluia by Jake Runestad. The program will cover a variety of music genres representing our history from the Civil War to the present as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Please join us on this musical journey through American history.

those communities. The four titles check all those boxes.”

Carroll also works as a professor at Arizona State University’s famed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and previously served as top editor for the Arizona Republic and editor-in-chief of USA Today. She said that bringing the GCM papers into the NEWSWELL portfolio also makes sense as another link between Chicago and Arizona, alongside Cubs and White Sox spring training, Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s franchise locations and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

“There’s a well-worn path from Chicago to Phoenix,” she said.

NEWSWELL’s mission comes in response to the widespread closures of local news outlets and the dramatic reduction of journalism jobs seen across the country over the last 20 years. Hyper local outlets, like the four GCM papers, are worth protecting, Carroll said.

“We want to go where we’re needed, wanted and can make a difference,” Carroll said.

The papers’ newsgathering and editorial processes will remain unchanged, except for some additional support on investigative projects that NEWSWELL will

CULTURAL COMPLEX from page 3 Angela Taylor is the wellness director at the Garfield Park Community Council and the founder of the Garfield Park Garden Network. She told Austin Weekly News that the proposed redevelopment left the future of the current garden uncertain.

“We keep on waiting to find out – do we need to leave? When do we need to leave?”

Taylor said. “We can’t get a clear answer.”

She said she wasn’t impressed with the presentation. “[The development team] is not here asking what the community would like to see – they’re just telling us what it’s going to be,” Taylor said. “I’m a community person.

I would like to see them build what the community likes to see.”

provide, said Haley, who was a founder of Wednesday Journal in his mid-20s.

“The goal we have had since the very start was to create intensely local, authentic, independent journalism,” Haley said.

“This step is a big step, but it’s in my mind an extension of everything we’ve done up until now. This is another variation on the goal of creating an independent viable local news model, and I’m really excited about what this offers us.

“We’ve found an entity that’s as focused on legit local news as we are.”

The papers will continue on their regular print schedules for the foreseeable future, Haley and Reinsdorf said.

While the NEWSWELL donation will buy the papers more room to breathe, the deal doesn’t represent an immediate exit from choppy financial waters, Reinsdorf said.

The operations of the papers will still largely be paid for through local fundraising and subscription and advertising revenue.

True financial sustainability for the papers will almost certainly involve a more formalized reader membership program, Reinsdorf said.

“It is not a money cannon; we’re still responsible for fundraising at a similar level,” he said. “In short-order after everything is smooth and stable, because these things are disruptive inherently, one of the first major goals will be to launch a membership program. We need a membership model to generate new revenues, and if that’s successful then the next step is to reinvest that into the newsroom.”

P3 co-founder Juan Saldana III told Austin Weekly News they expect the project to cost around $38 million to $42 million. The city is willing to provide up to $10 million in grants to help with the startup costs, though they will require city council approval. Ald. Walter Redmond Burnett (27th), whose ward includes all three clusters, told Austin Weekly News he expected them to get some Tax Increment Financing fundings.

The project site is part of the vast Midwest TIF, which encompasses most of East Garfield Park and significant portions of North Lawndale and West Garfield Park. The TIF had over $87 million available at the end of 2024, the most recent year for which TIF data is available.

During the presentation, Burnett said he liked the city’s pick because it would provide opportunities for local kids and generally bring in investment “we’ve been missing for years.”

Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

In collaboration with Dominican University School of Education Presents

A Conversation with Dr. Eve L. Ewing: Education, Equity and Justice from Original Sins to Superheroes Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Dominican University Lund Auditorium | 7900 Division Street, River Forest Dr. Ewing is the author of numerous books, most recently the acclaimed Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism. A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, Original Sins was named a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker, Esquire, Elle and the Chicago Public Library and was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal. The book explores the American school system’s historic role in reinforcing the idea of White intellectual superiority and upholding the country’s racial hierarchy.

Dr. Ewing also has been involved in several projects for Marvel Comics, most notably the Black Panther and Ironheart series, and is currently writing Exceptional X-Men. Ironheart, which provides the Chicago backstory of genius inventor Riri Williams following her introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2021), was made into a television series last year by Disney+. She also has published the poetry collections Electric Arches and 1919 and wrote the nonfiction work Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side. Her first book for young people, Maya and the Robot, was published in 2021. She also co-wrote a young adult graphic novel, Change the Game, with Colin Kaepernick, and a short story, Timebox, with Janelle Monae. No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, a play co-written with Nate Marshall, was presented in 2017 by Chicago performance collective Manual Cinema.

Dr. Sara Rezvi, assistant professor of education at Dominican’s School of Education, will moderate the conversation with Dr. Ewing.

Photo: Jaclyn Rivas

Tickets & info:

Tickets $15 for the public $10 for WJ donors and subscribers Tickets at www.dom.edu/arts-minds

9

10 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

Defiant Ford responds to misleading crypto PAC attack ads

By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter

In a speech equal parts defiance and political critique, with some genuine emotion apparent, State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford responded Monday to political attack ads funded by a crypto currency PAC upset with his vote as a state legislator.

Ford, one of 13 Democratic primary candidates looking to succeed the retiring Danny K. Davis as 7th District representative in Congress, stood with Davis and other supporters at his campaign headquarters to address a video ad and political mailers that falsely imply that he was convicted of felonies related to bank fraud.

The attack ad, created by the Fairshare super PAC, referred to a federal indictment against Ford in 2012, charging him with bank fraud and submitting false information. The video pieces together statements in a way that conveys that one statement made related to the next statement. But they do not.

Ford, the video intones, “was indicted on 17 counts.” Waiting a moment for effect, they repeat, “17 counts” over a graphic of “17 counts” handwritten on a piece of cardboard.

“The verdict? Ford convicted of tax fraud.” But Ford was not charged with tax fraud in the 17-count indictment.

That single charge was in a superseding indictment.

In 2014, after the original prosecutor left office, another prosecutor took over the case, and the U.S. Attorney in Chicago suddenly dropped all 17 felony charges in exchange for Ford agreeing to enter a guilty plea to a single misdemeanor tax charge. Ford, who has worked in real estate and property rehab on the West Side, agreed to plead guilty to overstating the rehab costs on one of his properties by about $23,000, which lowered his capital gains taxes when the property was sold, resulting in $3,782 in lost tax revenue to the IRS.

He was sentenced to probation, a $1,000 fine and restitution.

“I am not a felon,” Ford said. “I am a state legislator, I am a real estate broker, I am licensed to be a teacher.” Had he been convicted of any felony, he said he would not be able to be any of those things.

Calling the funding behind the attack “blood money,” Ford said such tactics are “harmful to our democracy.” He said he was targeted by the PAC because of his vote in the Illinois House to regulate the crypto currency industry, “because I stood up for my people.”

“I’m here to protect the community and the people who elected me.”

Davis called the ads “scurrilous.”

“Yes he was charged,” he said of Ford.

“But it was a lie. And the Justice Department knew it.” He added, “The judge said it was a mistake.”

Ford spoke about his defense attorney, the late Thomas Durkin, saying, “He actually told the courts that ‘this Black man is getting railroaded.’” His voice quavering, Ford added, “I needed that attorney at that time.” As the room erupted in applause, Ford teared up, covered his eyes and laid his head down on the podium.” He then left the room, returning several minutes later.

The crypto industry’s hostility toward Ford stems from his support of a bill that passed the Illinois General Assembly last August, SB 1797. The bill created the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, which directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to regulate digital asset business activity in Illinois and imposes new compliance and consumer-protection requirements on them.

Ford said dark money is playing a negative role in today’s politics.

“I think we have a problem when we have dark money in a race that can do whatever they want in the race without any checks,” he said. “We need to change the law and make sure we’re able to have a fair democracy.”

Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

11

7TH DISTRICT

Farflung constituency from page 1 race? What’s the impact of key endorsements and the planned turn-out-the-vote campaigns a handful of those endorsements will bring?

Finally, in a nation actively rejiggering congressional districts with an eye on the midterm elections in November, is the Illinois 7th District still meant to be a “Black district”? And what does that mean?

Veteran Chicago political journalist Laura Washington penned an intriguing column in the Chicago Tribune Jan. 26, pondering the possibility that demographic shifts and a crowded Democratic primary field might combine to throw the election to a white candidate. There are 3 white candidates in the race.

Noting the district’s 53 years of Black leadership — 30 under Davis — Washington said demographic shifts have seen the district “ … evolve from a predominantly Black domain on Chicago’s West Side to a sprawling territory that includes downtown areas such as Fulton Market, South Side wards, Chinatown and the west suburbs of Oak Park, Maywood and River Forest.”

Wealthy real estate executive Jason Friedman, she said, “could change the racial equation, as the only white candidate who brings significant money and clout,” which, combined with “the large number of high-profile and established Black politicians might fracture the vote.”

“If Friedman can galvanize and consolidate the white vote, he could prevail,” she noted. “It’s a very big “if,” but it raises interesting questions.

Cancellation Washington’s column centered on two issues: the possibility of “cancellation,” in which groupings of candidates with similar characteristics — progressive, establishment, white, Black — battle for the same pool of limited primary votes. There is also the clear desire of Black political leadership to retain control of the 7th Congressional district.

“That’s one of the things that can happen with a large field,” said Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus at U of I Springfield, who’s studied Illinois politics since the 1970s. “In races with smaller candidate fields, it’s easier to see the effect,” Redfield

WIKIPEDIA

7th Congressional District map said. “If it’s (three candidates) and the two moderates are eating up each other’s votes … the progressive with 40 percent is in pretty good shape.”

There are five progressives running, including activist Kina Collins, union official Anthony Driver, immigrant rights organizer Anabel Mendoza, human resources executive Jazmin Robinson and former White House advisor and attorney Reed Showalter.

An effort has begun in Oak Park to unify progressive support behind Collins.

There are several more established, moderate candidates, including three currently holding elected office; state Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, Melissa Conyers-Ervin, the Chicago city treasurer since 2019, two term Forest Park mayor Rory Hoskins and former County Commissioner Richard Boykin.

There are three putative front runners: Ford, who has been endorsed by both Davis

and Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch; Conyears-Ervin, who ran against Davis in 2024; and Friedman, who has raised $1.8 million.

Friedman presents himself as a seasoned businessman who creates jobs and gets things done. Ford has stressed his legislative experience, his networks and his record of standing up for people’s interests. Conyears-Ervin portrays herself as a fighter ready to take on the Trump administration and protect safety net programs.

Conyears-Ervin is also the recent recipient of a $2.8 million cash infusion from the controversial American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Then there’s Collins, who has little money but solid name recognition from running against Davis three times, including a 45.7 percent performance in the 2022 primary. And Dr. Thomas Fisher, an ER physician who had strong 4th quarter fundraising and who has been endorsed by Cong.

Lauren Underwood.

Along with Friedman and Showalter, the other white male in the primary is former Congressional staffer and professor David Ehrlich.

Experts Growing Community Media spoke with said that while it’s difficult to predict a winner, there are key indicators, including candidates with effective political organizations, quality endorsements and who is able to turn out to vote.

Washington, also a political analyst for ABC 7 Chicago, said a crowded field for a Congressional seat that is open for the first time in many years is not unusual.

Such races have different dynamics than regular elections. There have been three such Democratic Congressional primaries in recent years, the 1st district in 2022, and the 6th and 14th in 2018.

See 7TH DISTRICT on page 12

12 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

7TH DISTRICT

Diversity and balance

Congressional District 7 Race/Ethnicity Census data: ACS 2024 1-year unless noted

from page 11 The 1st district primary had 17 candidates, 11 of whom didn’t break five percent.

Only four reached double digits, constituting 73.5 percent of the vote, as Jonathan Jackson won with 28.18 percent.

In the 6th district, seven Democratics vied to take on GOP Congressman Peter Roskam. Again, four broke double digits, accounting for 86.4 percent, as Sean Casten won with 29.5 percent.

Lauren Underwood was the exception, winning 57.35 percent in the seven-candidate 14th district primary. None of the other six got above 13.4 percent.

The 7th Congressional primary is distinct from those races, having not only many candidates, but more competing political and ethnic categories -- Black, white and Hispanic, progressive and moderate, “new guard” and institutionalist.

Money Redfield said voters want to know a candidate and assess them. “Is this a selffunder who has no policy or political service,” he said. “Or (someone who is) enthusiastic but not resourced or experienced in building a campaign.”

Washington said money has its limits and can’t replace traditional face to face retail politics. “The money is important for lesser known candidates, like Friedman,” she said. “No one knows who he is.”

“If voters see a lot of mailers, but not direct contact, that could backfire,” she said.

“People also want to know that person.

How can I trust this person? It’s about that ‘touch.’”

“You have to go to (a voter’s) door,” said C.B. Johnson, a long time West Side political activist. “It’s a sign of respect to knock on my door. To ask for my vote.”

Race and endorsements Race — and racism — is aways a factor in Chicago politics, Washington allowed, though with some voters, she said, it’s less about race and more “I matter, my vote matters and my concerns matter.”

White voters in areas like Oak Park, she said, “respect the desire of African Americans to retain power,” but there is also the feeling that “I shouldn’t be overlooked.”

Race still matters, though, particularly

ETHNICITY

PERCENT

MOE*

POPULATION

Black White Hispanic Asian “Two”

35.9 pct 28.5 pct 20.5 pct 10.5 pct 4 pct

±1.8% ±1.5% ±1.9% ±1.2% ±0.7%

273,298 216,838 155,574 79,967 30,756

* Margin of error Source: Census Reporter (https://censusreporter.org/profiles/50000US1707-congressional-district-7-il/) to Black political leadership in this most unusual election cycle. House Speaker Welch, a resident of the district, is among other Black leaders like Davis making it clear they intend to maintain Black political control of the 7th District, and as many Black voices as possible on the Democratic State Central Committee.

That goal is supported by Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon, the white township committeeman for Oak Park.

“The 7th Congressional District in Illinois has been an important historically Black seat in Congress,” Harmon said.

“The district has changed but it is still drawn to perform as a Black district and I expect that the Black political community in particular is going to dig in really deeply on ensuring Black representation continues. Ultimately it’s up to the voters, but I think that’s an important component. It would be a significant loss in Black representation.”

Ford’s campaign manager, Tumia Romero, said on Saturday that the campaign expects turnout to be between 78,000 to 80,000 votes, based on historical data. “We hope that it’s more than that, of course,” Romero said According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, turnout was 86,158 in the 2024 primary, and 75,612 in the 2022 primary.

While declining to provide specific numbers, Romero said Ford is ahead in the latest tracking poll received on Feb. 20.

“He’s still leading, despite (ConyersErvin and Friedman) each sending out 10 (negative direct mail) pieces.”

Besides running for the Democratic State Central Committee 7th District seat, Welch has endorsed Ford to replace Davis in the 7th Congressional seat.

Redfield said no serious politician of Welch’s stature makes endorsements lightly, saying, “When they put their name out there they’re expending political capital.”

Redfield said quality endorsements have a “value added” quality, enabling a candidate to “piggyback” onto another politician’s organizational strengths. “If the endorsement brings with it something that adds value,” he said, like communications and ground support, “they carry weight.”

“If they’ll put in the work, put your name on palm cards, use the endorsement in direct mail, (then) the support of any party people does make a big difference,” said Dick Simpson, a former Chicago alderman and political science professor.

“With endorsements has to come a political operation with people to help,” Washington said. In the case of Welch, she said, “That’s significant.”

Welch’s endorsement of Ford, Washington said, “could be the secret sauce that makes the difference.”

Turnout Redfield said while he was not an expert on West Side Chicago Congressional politics, his “sense of this district is it’s got geographical divisions,” including an older, long established Black West Side and

newer residential sections on the near west side.

The question, he said, is “What kind of electorate is going to show up.”

With no more party bosses, he said, “you’ve got to motivate people and get them out to vote.” Ultimately the question political operatives look to answer is, “who’s going to show up at the polls?”

According to one political expert in the field of survey research, an Oak Park resident who asked not to be named, the answer is not found in general population statistics. Recent U.S. Census data, he said, shows ethnic percentages in the 7th district are “approximately 36 percent Black, 29 percent white, 21 percent Latino, and 10 percent Asian.”

Then there’s the racial profile of the actual primary voting population, he said, and “Those demographics are different.”

Experienced campaign professionals, he said, “estimate this number to be about 40 percent Black, 40 percent white, 10 percent Latino, and the rest being a mix of Asian voters and other demographics. They use past voting results to predict this outcome.”

“As far as the estimates for the electorate, each campaign does their own prediction, so there’s no exact source for it,” he said.

“It’s just a common knowledge thing that those of us in the profession can acquire from our colleagues.”

“You cannot exactly predict the electorate until it votes,” he said.

A study released in January by Unite America Institute (UAI) sheds some light on that disparity. It found that the voting populace that votes in primaries is different from general elections.

The UAI, a nonprofit organization “that seeks to encourage nonpartisan civic engagement and political participation” found that “self-identified liberals were 20 percent of the population, yet were 29 percent of “decisive primary voters,” roughly “1.5 times more representation than parity would suggest.”

The greatest disparity was with Republican primary voters, which while notable, has little relevance to the deep blue 7th District.

Young Millennial and Gen Z voters, UAI found, “were notably absent” in primaries, with 18- to 25-year-olds comprising nine percent of the population but just three percent of primary voters; 25- to 39-yearolds “comprised 25 percent of the population but only 11 percent of the primary electorate.”

See 7TH DISTRICT on page 14

13 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026 Let the sun shine in...

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MidFirst Bank Plaintiff, -v.Michelle Williams; Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Sandra Williams; The United States of America, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; The City of Chicago, a municipal corporation; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants; Quantina Johnson; Marvin Henning; Damon Ritenhouse, as Special Representative of Sandra Kay Williams, deceased Defendants.

2025CH02775 574 North Lockwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 12/9/2025, an agent of Auction.com, LLC will conduct the Online Only auction at www.auction.com, with the bidding window opening on 3/9/2026 at 10:00 AM CDT and closing on March 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM subject to extension, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate.

Commonly known as 574 North Lockwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644 Property Index No. 16-09-116-0320000 The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $93,151.28 Sale Terms: Full Sale Terms are available on the property page at www.auction.com by entering 574 North Lockwood Avenue into the search bar. If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, the winning bidder must pay the full bid amount within twenty-four (24) hours of the auction’s end.

All payments must be certified funds.

No third-party checks will be accepted.

All bidders will need to register at www. auction.com prior to placing a bid. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a certificate of sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property, prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9 (g)(l) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 (C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: MDK Legal (312) 651-6700

please refer to file number 25-003448.

Auction.com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602 - 872225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com. Attorney File No. 25-003448 Case Number: 2025CH02775 NOTE: PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. I3281783

the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-25-04514 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2025CH07854 TJSC#: 45-2996 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2025CH07854 I3281525

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Plaintiff, -v.DAVID REYES, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2025CH07854 5400 W HADDON AVE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 18, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 16, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 5400 W HADDON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-04-301-0440000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.ISAIAS RODRIGUEZ, RUTH RODIGUEZ, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2025CH03149 1011 N. KEELER AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 29, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 9, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1011 N. KEELER AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-03-412-0170000 The real estate is improved with a res-

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

idence.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-25-01806 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2025CH03149 TJSC#: 46-203 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2025CH03149 I3281347

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. Plaintiff, -v.ANTONIO TRUJILLO, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. Defendants 2025CH04304 4215 W KAMERLING AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 18, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 23, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 4215 W KAMERLING AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-03-225-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $79,300.19.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325, ROSEMONT, IL, 60018 (561) 241-6901.

Please refer to file number 25-288899.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325 ROSEMONT IL, 60018 561-241-6901 E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM Attorney File No. 25-288899 Attorney ARDC No. 6306439 Attorney Code. 65582 Case Number: 2025CH04304 TJSC#: 45-3297 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2025CH04304 I3281816

Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 4024 W WILCOX ST, CHICAGO, IL 60624 Property Index No. 16-15-207-0370000 The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-25-05438 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2025CH08673 TJSC#: 46-41 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2025CH08673 I3282043

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC DBA SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff vs.

MATTHEW S. MOULDIN; SILENA M. CARRIZALES; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 25 CH 4378 CALENDAR 60 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on March 24, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-15-204-011-0000.

Commonly known as 4329 W. MONROE ST., CHICAGO, IL 60624.

The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection(g-1) of Section 189.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% (or 25% if so ordered in the Judgment of Foreclosure) down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidding. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512, Westchester, Illinois 60154. (312) 940-8580. 25-00827 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3281869 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.MARCO GARCIA, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Defendants 2025CH08673 4024 W WILCOX ST CHICAGO, IL 60624 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 22, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 24, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South

14 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026 Let the sun shine in...

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.BARBARA THURMAN, LUE B. BROWLEY, ONEMAIN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC S/B/M TO AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS INC. Defendants 2025 CH 04573 3122 W. MOFFAT CHICAGO, IL 60647 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 30, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 2, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 3122 W. MOFFAT, CHICAGO, IL 60647 Property Index No. 13-36-308-0140000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $176,831.98.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325, ROSEMONT, IL, 60018 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 25-296683.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325 ROSEMONT IL, 60018 561-241-6901 E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM Attorney File No. 25-296683 Attorney ARDC No. 6306439 Attorney Code. 65582 Case Number: 2025 CH 04573 TJSC#: 46-174 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2025 CH 04573 I3282348

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff vs.

LORNA CISSE; ROYAL BUSINESS BANK Defendant 25 CH 4830 CALENDAR 60 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on March 31, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-22-200-032-0000.

Commonly known as 1226 South Kolin Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623.

The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection(g-1) of Section 189.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% (or 25% if so ordered in the Judgment of Foreclosure) down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances.

The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidding. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP, 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1820, Chicago, Illinois 60606. 312-346-9088. 25-21119IL INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3282182

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2024 Democratic primary results by Chicago wards in 7th Congressional District Ward official(s)

DSCC 7th Cong. 2026 2024 2024 Endorse Endorsement turnout votes

Registered

1st

Ald. Laura Yepez

Welch

2nd

Committeeperson Tim Egan

3rd 4th

Conyears Ervin

26.65

9,413

35,319

Welch

24.33

7,880

32,392

Ald. /Committeeperson Pat Dowell

Welch

24.40

7,900

32,371

Ald. Lamont Robinson

Welch

29.34

8,713

29,696

11th Ald. Nicole Lee

Welch

21.05

5,465

25,964

14th Ald. Jeylú Gutiérrez

Welch

9.70

1,935

19.944

15th Ald. /Committeeperson Ray Lopez

Welch

13.35

2,674

20,024

16th Ald. /Committeeperson Stephanie Coleman Welch

Conyears Ervin

13.55

3,413

25,182

17th Ald. David Moore

Conyears Ervin

18.37

5,763

31,378

18th Ald. Derrick Curtis

Welch

22.07

7,849

35,570

20th Ald. Jeanette Taylor

Welch

18.87

4,533

24,020

22nd Ald. Mike Rodriguez

Welch

12.25

2,364

19,300

24th Ald. /Committeeperson Monique Scott

Welch

15.46

3,767

24,372

25th Ald/Committeeperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez Welch

Conyears Ervin

18.41

4,301

23,364

26th Ald. / Ald. Jessie Fuentes

Welch

16.89

5,014

29,683

27th Ald. Walter Burnett

Welch

Ford

17.24

6,148

35,655

28th Ald. Jason Ervin

Conyears Ervin

16.21

4,431

27,327

29th Ald. Chris Talliaferro

Conyears Ervin

20.82

6,622

31,806

34th Ald. Bill Coway

Welch

19.87

5,069

25,517

37th Ald. /Committeeperson Emma Mitts

Welch

15.61

4,516

28,939

42nd Ald. /Committeeperson Brendan Reilly

Welch

22.24

6,693

30,097

43rd Ald. Tim Knudsen/Commpersn Lucy Moog Welch

29.54

9,435

31,943

Source: Chicago Board of Elections; https://chicagoelections.gov/elections/results/205 Bolded ward number indicate “Black” ward

7TH DISTRICT from page 12 Meanwhile, those 55 and over were 68 percent of the primary electorate despite being just 46 percent of the population.

Whites were 70 percent of the population but “constituted 84 percent of the primary electorate; Black voters 13 percent of the population but 11 percent of the primary electorate.

Under representation was even larger for Hispanic and Asian American voters, “three to four times less represented than their shares of the population,” the UAI found.

Washington, who has said she’s “not endorsing anyone in this race,” said she’s

also not making any predictions. But two candidates, she opined, have an advantage, “at least in name recognition,” from currently holding office — Ford and ConyearsErvin.

“They have bases where they’re somewhat known,” Washington said. And Ford, she said, “has a much higher (public) profile than the typical state legislator.”

Washington said “traditionalist” older Black voters, “would probably lean toward more moderate candidates.”

Allowing that “Danny Davis is progressive,” she said, “I think older Black voters in general are more conservative on some social issues,” and would “tend to support more traditionalist, older candidates, with mainstream political credentials, those who have held elective office.”

Bob Skolnik contributed reporting.

Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

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16 Austin Weekly News, February 25, 2026

Saturday, Feb. 28 10am-1pm Malcolm X College 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.

Saturday, Mar. 7* 10am -2pm Brighton Park 4830 S. Western Ave.

*Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Chicago Park District Summer Jobs, Park Programs & Local Resources | AGES 16+

Saturday, Mar. 14

26

10am-1pm Kennedy-King College 6301 S. Halsted St.

AN HONEST LEADER YOU CAN TRUST!

NOW IS THE TIME! PUNCH #39

Integrity Matters. Leadership Matters. Trust Matters.

Attorney Richard Boykin has built his career on honesty, strong moral values and a committment to do what’s right - not what is easy. From fighting for transparency in government to standing up for working families, he has always put community first. When others chose politics as usual, Boykin chose principle. When tough decisions had to be made, he chose integrity over expediency.

Because real leadership isn’t about promises - it’s about character.

Endorsed by Treasurer Maria Pappas, Ald. Ray Lopez, Ald. Silvana Tabares, Hon. Billy Marovitz, Dr. Willie Wilson, Paul Vallas, Rabbi Barry Axler, Hon. Anan Abu Taleb, Hon. Jim Taglia PAID FOR BY RICHARD BOYKIN FOR CONGRESS

PAID FOR BY RICHARD BOYKIN FOR CONGRESS

Your nonpartisan guide to Cook County’s 2026 judicial primary elections

injusticewatch.org/checkyourjudges

LANDWEHR

Oak Oak Park

Forest Park Broadview Westchester K

ROOSEVELT

3

Lyons La Grange Western Springs

16

R

ARCHE

MIDWAY INT’L AIRPORT 63RD

Summit

Hodgkins

76TH

Evergreen Park

Voters must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen, and reside in their voting precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day. People with felony convictions can vote in Illinois as long as they are not serving a felony sentence in prison or jail. People in jail pre-trial and people on mandatory supervised release are eligible to vote.

MCCARTHY

Blue Island

LA GRANGE

Crestwood

WILL COOK

Oak Forest

Markham

159TH

Orland Hills

183RD

Dixmoor

Midlothian 149TH Posen

Orland Park

Tinley Park

Sources: Cook County, U.S. Census, Google Maps

138TH

Burnham

Dolton

Calumet City

Phoenix

Harvey

South Holland

80 Country Hazel Crest Club Hills Homewood Thornton

15

94

LINCOLN HWY

Richton Park

Chicago Heights

South Chicago Heights

Park Forest

Lansing

Glenwood HOLLBROOK

Olympia Fields Matteson 57

Map by Jonathon Berlin and Mark Friesen

Calumet Park Riverdale

Robbins

135TH

90

103RD

2

Worth

WESTERN

PARKER

SMITH

Who can vote?

Palos Park

95TH

Chicago Ridge

Alsip

1

LY

Oak Lawn

Palos

60TH

71ST

VER

Lemont

5

94

Hometown

87TH

Hickory Hills

19

90 51ST

YATES

Justice Burbank Willow Springs 294 Bridgeview

Palos Hills

PERSHING

BE

Primary voting

55

CENTRAL PARK

La Grange Park

The Loop

18TH

CERMA

Burr Ridge

This year’s Illinois primary election is March 17.

Early voting in Chicago’s 50 wards and sites around suburban Cook County starts March 2 (and earlier in downtown Chicago and at suburban courthouses).

To find your polling place and check your voter status: • Chicago residents, visit chicagoelections.gov • Suburban Cook County residents, visit cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections

290

Cicero

Riverside

8

COTTAGE GROVE

River Forest

7

Berkeley Bellwood

14

Elmwood Park

NORTH

Melrose Park

COTTAGE GROVE

River Grove

Northlake

MICHIGAN

6

WRIGHTWOOD

RE HO

Franklin Park

20

90

ASHLAND RACINE

Norridge

IRVING PARK

FOSTER

ARGYLE

WESTERN

11

PETERSON

94

WESTERN

Rosemont

Countryside

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

Lincolnwood DEVON

LD WE

LL

Schiller Park

Cook County is divided into 20 subcircuits, geographic boundaries first created in the 1990s to build a more diverse judiciary. About two-thirds of the county’s circuit court judges are elected from subcircuits. Once elected, they have the same roles and responsibilities as judges elected countywide.

Check this map to see which subcircuit you live in. If you’re not sure, you can check your voter ID card, scan the QR code on the opposite page, or visit injusticewatch.org/checkyourjudges.

10 Evanston

CA

TOUHY

MCCORMICK

OAKTON

9

ES LAK

Find your subcircuit

Skokie

CICERO

O’HARE INT’L AIRPORT

W H AT TO K N OW

DEMPSTER

Morton Grove

AUSTIN

Bartlett

Park Des Plaines Ridge

Wilmette

CENTRAL

EASTERN

Elk Grove Village

Kenilworth CENTRAL

HARLEM

290

ELMHURST

N

18

GOLF

Schaumburg

294

Mount Prospect

Glenview

WAUKEGAN

90

Hoffman Estates

Streamwood

CENTRAL

Northfield

E

B2 2

13

S

Winnetka

WILLOW

KE

The cover art is inspired by Norman Rockwell’s 1968 illustration “The Right to Know,” which accompanied an editorial in Look magazine advocating for more government transparency during the Vietnam War. I see this cover as a reminder to our readers of their responsibility to watch what our government is doing and their power to demand transparency and accountability from judges and other elected officials.

—Verónica Martinez, Injustice Watch visual reporter

Barrington

GIN

Northbrook

PALATINE

Arlington AL GO Heights Rolling NQUI N Meadows

South WESTBURY

HIG

12

Palatine

Glencoe

Wheeling

AU ILW M

About the cover

COUNTY LINE

HEIM MANN

Judges are powerful officials whose decisions can take someone’s freedom, remove a child from their parents, or evict someone from their home. They have the power to correct or perpetuate injustices. That’s why Injustice Watch created this guide to judicial candidates running in Cook County’s primary elections on March 17.

Illinois voters elect judges every two years. This year, 46 candidates are running for 29 judicial vacancies—continuing a trend of declining competition in these races. Most candidates are running for seats on the circuit court, where judges hear cases such as traffic tickets, divorces, evictions, and criminal charges. All candidates this year are running in the Democratic primary; the winners will run unopposed in the November general election.

Our team spent months researching the candidates’ legal experience, community involvement, donors, political connections, and controversies.

Injustice Watch does not make recommendations or endorsements. Our guide has everything you need to be an informed voter.

Barrington Hills

SUTTO

Why you should check your judges

Barrington

Steger

Lynwood

Ford Heights Sauk Village

A B O UT TH E G U I D E

More in our digital guide This is a condensed version of our guide, edited for space.

For more detailed candidate profiles, including responses to our candidate survey, complete bar association evaluations, endorsements, and top campaign donors, scan the QR code or visit injusticewatch.org/ checkyourjudges.

Understanding the candidate icons Current or former public defender

Current or former prosecutor

Appointed judge

1 S T A P P E L L AT E | H O F F M A N VA C A N C Y JUDITH C. RICE 68, River Forest Experience: • Presiding judge of the Cook County Circuit Court’s domestic violence division (2021-present) • Circuit judge hearing divorce, domestic and elder abuse, and eviction cases (2014-2021) • Senior vice president of BMO Harris Bank, overseeing the bank’s community development activities and serving as its Community Reinvestment Act officer to ensure equitable lending (2007-2014) • Deputy chief of staff to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, working on public housing and economic development issues (2006-2007) • Chicago City Treasurer, elected to oversee city investments (2000-2006) • Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation (1999-2000) • Commissioner, Chicago Department of Water (1996-1999) • Various roles in the Chicago departments of law and revenue and as executive assistant to Mayor Daley (1989-1996) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in the criminal appeals and juvenile court divisions (1988-1989)

LUZ MARIA TOLEDO 46, Palos Hills

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall Law School) (1988)

Notable: In 2020, Toledo won a case in which a New Jersey investment firm purchased a segment of the Kennedy Expressway in a Cook County tax sale, which the assessor’s office had misclassified as vacant land, then claimed it was owed $1 million in interest after the sale was deemed erroneous and voided.

Notable: Rice is well-regarded by domestic violence survivor advocates for her management of the domestic violence courthouse. She has led efforts to increase access to emergency petitions for restraining orders to nearly 24 hours per day.

Rice was the first woman to head Chicago’s transportation and water departments. Rice would be the first openly lesbian appellate court justice in Illinois. Rice’s father, Fred Rice, was Chicago’s first Black police commissioner.

Past controversy

Democratic Party pick

Highly qualified ratings

Negative ratings

Current or former public defender: This candidate has served as a public defender, representing clients in criminal cases who can’t afford a private attorney.

Current or former prosecutor: This candidate has served as a prosecutor at the city, county, state, or federal level.

Appointed judge: This judge was appointed by the state Supreme Court to temporarily fill a vacancy. Appointed judges must run for a full term to stay on the bench.

Past controversy: This candidate has been involved in some kind of personal or professional controversy. We report what we found in the “Notable” section and offer candidates an opportunity to respond to our reporting.

Democratic Party pick: This candidate has earned the endorsement of the Cook County Democratic Party. The party only endorses candidates in countywide races.

Highly qualified ratings: Two or more bar associations have rated this candidate highly qualified or recommended. Not all bar associations give out ratings higher than qualified.

Negative ratings: At least two bar associations have said this candidate is not recommended or not qualified to be a judge. Candidates who don’t participate in the ratings process are automatically rated as not recommended.

COOK CIRCUIT C O B B S VA C A N C Y

C O O K C I R C U I T | B U R K E VA C A N C Y STEVEN Q. McKENZIE 59, Irving Park Experience: • Assistant corporation counsel supervisor, Chicago Law Department, overseeing lawsuits against property owners over building code violations (2006-present) • Director of litigation, Law Center for Better Housing, representing tenants in court (2003-2006) • Assistant defender, Office of the Illinois State Appellate Defender, representing clients in appeals (2002) • Attorney for legal aid organizations in Cleveland and Chicago, representing people in poverty and people with HIV/AIDS (1998-2001) Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (1997) Notable: McKenzie, who specializes in housing law, works for the city of Chicago helping to draft housing ordinances and suing landlords over building conditions. For example, McKenzie took numerous landlords to court for failing to heat homes during a cold snap in 2019.

In 2014, he helped press the owner of an unsafe Pilsen building to aid tenants with relocation assistance. More recently, he represented the city in a lawsuit against the owners of Ellis Lakeview, a troubled apartment building in Kenwood.

Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, assigned to the civil bureau, where she defends the county in real estate tax matters. She spent 11 years prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal cases.

(2007-present) • Policy adviser, Illinois lieutenant governor’s office, working under then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn on proposed legislation related to consumer protections, health care, and the environment (2006-2007) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2006)

LINDA SACKEY 44, Near South Side Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court in January 2025, hearing traffic cases • Judicial clerk to state Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, evaluating petitions for leave to appeal, reviewing and analyzing motions, and drafting opinions (2019-2025) • Illinois assistant attorney general in the civil appeals division, filing briefs and conducting oral arguments before the Illinois Supreme Court and state and federal courts of appeals (2013-2018) • Senior associate at a large law firm, focusing on complex commercial, employment, and products liability litigation (2008-2013) • Law clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2006-2008) Law school: University of Chicago (2006)

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

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C O O K C I R C U I T | C O G H L A N VA C A N C Y ASHONTA C. RICE 47, Lower West Side Experience: • Attorney in private practice specializing in family law, but also handling real estate, probate, criminal law, and other matters.

She also serves as a court-appointed child representative and guardian ad litem.

(2007-present) • Assistant public guardian, Cook County Office of the Public Guardian, representing children in minor guardianship cases, special education advocacy, administrative appeals, and advocacy for minors (2004-2007) Law school: Loyola University New Orleans (2004) Notable: Rice first ran for judge in the 15th subcircuit in 2018.

She ran for judge countywide in 2024, but was removed from the ballot by the Cook County Electoral Board for failing to include her married name in her filing paperwork. Rice was in divorce proceedings at the time.

In 2021, Rice was found by a Cook County Electoral Board hearing officer to have engaged in a “pattern of fraud” while gathering petition signatures for her mother’s campaign for Chicago Heights Park District commissioner. Rice disputed the officer’s findings in an interview with Injustice Watch.

“The findings of the hearing officer are her findings and her thoughts, but I testified under oath telling the truth. … I did not collect any fraudulent signatures.” The hearing officer struck 32 signatures collected by Rice; Rice’s mother did not appeal and was removed from the ballot.

MICHAEL CABONARGI 55, Wilmette Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing traffic cases (2025-present) • Democratic counsel, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, researching the backgrounds of Trump administration nominees (January-June 2025) • Region 5 Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, implementing health care policies across six Midwestern states (2023-2025) • Commissioner, Cook County Board of Review, evaluating and deciding property tax appeals (2011-2022) • Senior attorney, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, prosecuting financial fraud cases in the Chicago regional office (2005-2011) • Attorney at two large Chicago law firms, where he also represented the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office in police misconduct lawsuits and helped defend the City of Chicago following the closure of Meigs Field (2002-2005) • Law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge William J. Hibbler (2000-2002) Law school: University of Illinois (2000) Notable: Before law school, Cabonargi was an aide to U.S. B4 4

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

Sens. Paul Simon and Dick Durbin, and he quickly rose through the Illinois Democratic Party ranks. In 2011, then-Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans appointed him to the Board of Review. He was reelected to the board unopposed three times, before losing his seat in 2022.

While Cabonargi was a board commissioner, his wife, Erin Lavin Cabonargi, worked from 2015 to 2019 as a director and consultant for Chicago developer Sterling Bay. Cabonargi initially told Injustice Watch he not only recused himself, but “completely walled off ” himself and his staff from any Sterling Bay property tax appeals during his wife’s tenure. Records show he and his staff participated in deciding at least three Sterling Bay appeals in that period, including one in which he and the other commissioners reduced the valuation of a Hyde Park fitness center, leading to a $110,000 reduction in its taxes. In two other appeals, Cabonargi agreed with other commissioners not to change property valuations. Records provided by the board did not show any other Sterling Bay appeals decided by the commissioners in that period.

Cabonargi told Injustice Watch his recusals put Sterling Bay at a disadvantage because the company’s cases were then decided by only two of the three commissioners. But records provided by the Board of Review showed no instance where Cabonargi recorded a recusal and only the other two commissioners voted on a Sterling Bay appeal. Cabonargi later asked to clarify his statements. “In no case did Sterling Bay receive a benefit while I was commissioner and while my wife worked at Sterling Bay that they would not otherwise have received based upon the evidence they submitted to the board because I interceded to give them a benefit,” he said.

In 2017 and 2018, the county Board of Ethics found Cabonargi and the two other Board of Review commissioners collected improper political donations from real estate professionals who practiced before the Board of Review. Cabonargi’s campaign violations mounted over nine months—even after two ethics board warnings. Cabonargi said he ultimately returned all $82,050 in excessive contributions reported in ethics notices.

In 2017, Cabonargi’s political aides created a second campaign committee, The Fund for 9th District Democrats. Of the $107,813 in donations to this new committee, $90,200 came from real estate professionals whose work included property tax appeals, an Injustice Watch analysis found. Cabonargi said in an interview that he followed the law and quickly returned excess contributions.

Cabonargi also promoted close political operatives to senior positions at the Board of Review while they did campaign work for him, the county Office of the Independent Inspector General reported in 2020. Cabonargi was “Commissioner A” in the report, and his role has not been previously reported.

“There were no allegations of criminal or civil misconduct.

There was no action. There was just no evidence of misconduct,” Cabonargi said.

From 2013 through 2019, Cabonargi sued two former Chicago Tribune columnists over $5,220 Cabonargi said he was owed following the sale of his Logan Square home to them. “It turned legal quickly, in a way I did not expect,” columnist Heidi Stevens told Injustice Watch. Cabonargi ultimately won in court and said he had little recollection of the events.

CO O K C I R C U I T | H O O KS VAC A N CY AVA GEORGE STEWART 58, Near North Side Experience: • Solo practitioner representing clients in traffic, DUI, and other criminal cases, along with civil litigation including wrongful death and breach of contract cases (2023-present, 2005-2021) • Chief of the misdemeanor and traffic division for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office (2021-2023) • City of Chicago municipal prosecutor handling driving offenses (2003-2005) Law school: University of Illinois (2003) Notable: Stewart is vice chair of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, a public body that oversees guardianship for people with disabilities and mental illness and advocates for their rights.

COOK CIRCUIT KARKULA VA C A N C Y D’ANTHONY ‘TONY’ THEDFORD 55, Loop Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, assigned to the pretrial division (2024-present) • Attorney in private practice handling criminal defense, personal injury, employment, and civil rights cases (2005-2024) • Cook County assistant public defender (1997-2005) Law school: University of Alabama (1996) Notable: Thedford represented the family of Calvin Cross, who was fatally shot by Chicago police in 2011, in a civil lawsuit. The city settled the case for $2 million. In 2021, county officials considered him to lead the public defender’s office, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Between 2011 and 2018, Thedford and his wife faced state and federal liens seeking about $249,000 in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties. Thedford told Injustice Watch his state debt had been resolved and he continues to pay the IRS. He said he “will be able to wrap this up pretty soon.” Thedford said his debts ballooned after he and his wife bought a home and borrowed money to improve it shortly before the 2008 housing crisis. He noted that the Illinois Supreme Court vetted him before appointing him to the bench.

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1 S T S U B C I R C U I T | WA L K E R VA C A N C Y

RADIANCE WARD 43, Kenwood

ASHLEY GREER SHAMBLEY 41, Avalon Park

TIFFANY N. BROOKS 49, South Shore

Experience: • Cook County assistant public defender, serving as lead trial attorney in first-degree murder cases. She previously worked in the felony trial, misdemeanor, and juvenile justice divisions. (2013-present) • Case manager, Cook County Office of the Chief Judge, in the mortgage foreclosure division (2012-2013) • Solo practitioner focused on domestic relations and traffic cases (2009-2012) • Staff attorney, Life Span Center for Legal Services and Advocacy, representing domestic violence survivors in divorce and order of protection proceedings (2007-2009)

Experience: • Cook County assistant public defender, mainly handling felony cases, currently assigned to the multiple defendant unit (2012-present) • Review board member, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to hear appeals in attorney disciplinary cases (2025-present) • Associate at the law office of John Lyke, now a Cook County judge, focused on criminal defense (2011-2012)

Experience: • First deputy commissioner, Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (2025-present) • Chief of staff, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (2023-2024) • General counsel, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (2020-2023) • Assistant commissioner, Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, serving as a liaison to the mayor’s office and to other officials (2018-2020) • Investigator, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, reviewing police misconduct complaints (FebruaryJuly 2018) • Legislative aide, Chicago City Council committees on economic development and education and child development, responsible for reviewing and drafting ordinances (2015-2018) • Solo practitioner on a range of cases, including evictions, probate, criminal defense, and domestic relations (2013-2020) • Senior lending manager and, later, staff attorney, Urban Partnership Bank, reviewing contracts and managing residential foreclosures (2004-2013)

Law school: Loyola University Chicago (2007)

Law school: DePaul University (2010) NATALIE L. HOWSE 52, Near South Side Experience: • Solo practitioner focused on contracts and civil litigation (2025-present) • Assistant general counsel, Illinois Commission on Equity & Inclusion, reviewing agencies’ procurement decisions and equity policies and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests (2024-2025) • Manager in the banking division of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees banks’ compliance with equitable lending laws (2024) • Litigation attorney, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, representing the department in administrative cases against parents and legal guardians (2018-2024) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in several divisions, including felony review, juvenile court, and felony trials (2001-2018) Law school: Howard University (2000)

Notable: Shambley is on the executive board of the public defenders union and has been outspoken about issues of racial justice and equity in the court system.

In 2020, Shambley spoke at a Black Lives Matter rally outside the Cook County criminal courthouse. “It is a different life being a Black public defender, because these are our people every day who are ushered through those doors,” Shambley said at the time.

She also spoke with the Chicago Tribune in 2021 about the backlog of criminal cases as the court came back from the Covid-19 shutdown. She expressed frustration with elected officials who were blaming each other for the court closures and not addressing the root causes of violence.

Shambley represented Paris Sadler, who was accused of shooting a Chicago police officer in 2012. The case became controversial after a prosecutor was caught lying under oath. Sadler eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Notable: Howse is the sister of Illinois Appellate Court Judge Nathaniel Howse Jr. In 2018, Howse was terminated from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She told Injustice Watch in an interview she had no complaints about being fired and reflected warmly on her experience there. “I think it was probably time for me to go,” she said.

Between 2007 and 2019, Howse faced two foreclosure cases and two eviction suits from her condominium unit, all of which were dismissed. In that period, she was also sued on three occasions for alleged unpaid debt and had her wages garnished for a default on a student loan. All cases were eventually dismissed and the judgments satisfied.

Howse has also been a landlord, and between 2005 and 2006 filed a halfdozen evictions against tenants of a 12-unit building in Greater Grand Crossing that her family owned and has since been demolished. Howse said these experiences “would make me a little bit more compassionate for the litigants that appear before me. I understand those financial hardships that they face.”

Howse is a past president of the Cook County Bar Association and has been the director of its foundation’s legal clinic since 2023.

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2009)

GINGER ODOM 56, Avalon Park Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing traffic cases (2025-present) • Director of expungement, Office of the State Appellate Defender, overseeing a program educating people with eligible criminal records about how to expunge or seal their records (2020-2025) • Assistant appellate defender, Office of the State Appellate Defender, representing criminal defendants in direct appeals (2004-2020)

Notable: Brooks previously ran for judge in the 5th subcircuit in 2022, but lost in a four-way race. In 2015, she ran for 5th Ward alderperson, losing to incumbent Leslie Hairston.

One of Brooks’ largest campaign donors, giving $2,500, is housing developer Elzie Higginbottom, whose East Lake Management & Development Corp. has been criticized for the conditions of its apartment buildings.

Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2003) INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

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JOHN CARROLL 55, Riverside

STEPHANIE S. KELLY 52, Grand Boulevard

Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing domestic violence cases (2025-present) • Deputy chief of staff, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, focused on legislation and criminal justice policy (2019-2025) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in several divisions, including felony trial, sex crimes, narcotics, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He also worked for nine years in the legislative unit.

(2000-2019)

Experience: • Contract attorney for a national legal recruiting firm (2023-present) • Associate general counsel for labor and employment, Cresco Labs, a national cannabis company (2022-2023) • Senior corporate counsel, Harley Davidson (2021-2022) • General counsel, Chicago State University. She started as deputy general counsel and was promoted in 2018. (2017-2020) • Partner at a national law firm, representing employers in labor cases (2014-2016) • Partner at a large global law firm representing employers in labor law cases (2005-2014) • Associate at a national firm (2001-2005)

Law school: Loyola University Chicago (1999) Notable: In 2021, Carroll was appointed to a four-year term on the Riverside Township Board. He has applied multiple times to be a judge.

3 R D S U B C I R C U I T | S H E R LO C K VA C A N C Y MARTIN DOUGLAS REGGI 74, Cicero Experience: • Solo attorney in Berwyn focusing on criminal and civil law, including real estate closings and bankruptcies (1985-present) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, drafting appeals and working in suburban courthouses (1980-1985) Law school: Northern Illinois University (1979) Notable: This is Reggi’s fourth run for judge. At 74, he is the oldest judicial candidate this year. He has run a limited campaign, reporting no contributions since mid-2024. He declined an interview, but in response to Injustice Watch’s candidate survey, he called his experience an asset. “My 45 years of independent legal practice, as a former prosecutor and longtime general practitioner, have prepared me to bring stability, integrity, and neutrality to the bench.”

RACHEL MARRELLO 51, Riverside Experience: • Operations counsel, Cook County Health, serving as a legal adviser for hospital leaders and ensuring compliance with employment laws (2022-present) • Investigator, Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General, leading investigations into alleged fraud, waste, and mismanagement (2010-2022) • Attorney for the Cook County Shakman Compliance Administrator and the Forest Preserve of Cook County, investigating systemic patronage hiring practices (2007-2008; 2009-2010) • Attorney at several small law firms, representing employees and labor unions in arbitration and employment benefit cases (2000-2010) Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2000) Notable: Marrello was an elected board member of Riverside School District 96 from 2013 to 2017. The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark described her as “not afraid to ruffle feathers, asking tough questions and speaking her mind.” She was a critic of two former superintendents, one of whom she allegedly reported to the State’s Attorney’s Office for “questionable expenses,” the Landmark reported. No charges were filed.

Her husband, Daniel J. Marrello, is a retired Riverside police officer.

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INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2001) Notable: Kelly is married to Cook County Circuit Court Judge David L. Kelly.

8 T H S U B C I R C U I T | G A M R AT H VA C A N C Y KATHLEEN CUNNIFF ORI 46, Lincoln Park

ELIZABETH CHRISTINA DIBLER 47, Lincoln Park

Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney serving as deputy supervisor of the labor and employment litigation division.

She started in the civil actions bureau in 2017 and was promoted in 2019. (2017-present) • Associate at an international law firm, focusing on complex commercial litigation and financial services transactions and conducting internal and external corporate investigations (2010-2017) • Law clerk for U.S. Appellate Judge William Bauer (2009-2010) • Law clerk for U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm (2008-2009) • Associate at a small law firm, focusing on commercial litigation cases (2007-2008)

Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in several divisions, including felony trial, felony review, and the sexual assault and domestic violence bureau. Last year, she was promoted to deputy supervisor of first appearance court, where she oversees detention eligibility hearings and trains staffers. (2003-present)

Law school: Loyola University Chicago (2007) Notable: Ori recently represented the Cook County Health and Hospitals System in a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging the health system failed to accommodate a pharmacy technician who refused to receive the Covid-19 vaccine on religious grounds. The county successfully argued vaccination was the best way to protect vulnerable patients and staff at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital.

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2003) Notable: Dibler has prosecuted high-profile cases, including a Michigan man who was found guilty of threatening to kill former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

GARSON FISCHER 49, North Center Experience: • Illinois assistant attorney general, who has spent his career in the criminal appeals division, becoming a supervising attorney in 2019 and deputy chief in 2022 (2005-present) Law school: Georgetown University (2005) Notable: Fischer has represented the state in hundreds of cases before state and federal appeals courts. Last year, he defended the state’s concealed carry laws in a case before the Illinois Supreme Court. In 2016, Fischer helped prepare a case for argument before the U.S. Supreme Court that was ultimately dismissed.

8 T H S U B C I R C U I T | M I K VA VA C A N C Y LESTER FINKLE 68, Lincoln Park

DAN BALANOFF 46, Near West Side

Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing traffic and domestic violence cases (2025-present) • Worked at a large, national law firm focusing on appeals and complex motions on malpractice and workers’ compensation cases (2022-2025) • Solo practitioner handling appeals and complex motions in civil and criminal cases (2021-2022) • Cook County assistant public defender, who started out as a trial attorney in juvenile court and later handled felony trials and appellate cases. In 2003, he became a supervisor of the legal resources division, which handles appeals and post-conviction cases. He was promoted to chief of the division in 2008. He became chief of staff to then-Public Defender Amy Campanelli in 2015. (1984-2021)

Experience: • Top aide to Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, acting as a legal adviser and overseeing office operations. He also served as a lead litigator at the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, where he defended the county’s property assessment values.

(2023-2025) • Chief deputy commissioner, Cook County Board of Review, overseeing administrative functions and internal policies (2022-2023) • Managing partner at Balanoff and Associates, focusing on estate planning, real estate, and consumer bankruptcy law (2007-present)

Law school: DePaul University (1982) Notable: Finkle was Campanelli’s chief of staff when she and the county were sued in 2017 by female assistant public defenders who said she and Sheriff Tom Dart were not doing enough to address sexual harassment at the jail. The county settled the lawsuit for $14 million in 2020. Finkle was not named in the suit or accused of wrongdoing.

Finkle has been a finalist for Cook County associate judge twice and ran for circuit judge in 1996.

In January 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Finkle to a six-year term on the Board of Commissioners for the Office of the State Appellate Defender, which represents indigent defendants in appellate cases.

Former colleagues said Finkle has a “brilliant” legal mind, and attorneys who have appeared before him said he is very professional. But some domestic violence advocates have said he lacks patience to preside over a high-volume courtroom where emotions run high. They asked to speak anonymously because they don’t want their clients’ cases to be negatively impacted. In an interview, Finkle said he doesn’t believe he’s been unfair. “I understand sometimes someone can be dissatisfied with my ruling, and I’m sorry for that dissatisfaction,” he said.

staffer to attend a conference on county time.

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2007) Notable: Balanoff comes from a prominent family of judges, politicians, and labor organizers. His father, Robert Balanoff, was a Cook County Circuit Court judge for 20 years until retiring in 2025. His grandmother, Miriam Balanoff, was a Cook County judge and state representative. His uncle, Clem Balanoff, was also a state representative as well as national political director for one of the largest unions representing public transit workers.

Balanoff ran unsuccessfully for judge countywide in 2022.

In June 2024, Balanoff was named as a co-defendant in a federal whistleblower lawsuit against Commissioner Steele.

Frank Calabrese, a former employee, accused Balanoff of retaliation, alleging Balanoff demoted him and filed false disciplinary complaints against him after Calabrese refused to leak information about the Chicago Bears’ tax appeal on their new Arlington Heights property. In January 2025, the county settled the lawsuit for $180,000 without admitting wrongdoing. In an interview with Injustice Watch, Balanoff denied the lawsuit’s allegations and said decisions related to Calabrese’s employment were made by Steele.

In June 2025, a month after Balanoff resigned from the Board of Review, the county’s Board of Ethics fined him more than $5,000 related to two investigations, records show. The first alleged Balanoff conducted legal work for his own firm, engaged in personal travel, and attended two Cubs games on county time. The second said he wrongly allowed a

Balanoff challenged the ethics board’s findings, arguing that the board didn’t have jurisdiction, that he did not knowingly violate the county’s rules, and that his use of county resources did not interfere with his duties or impose extra taxpayer cost.

In an interview with Injustice Watch, Balanoff claimed the controversies surrounding his employment at the Board of Review stemmed from his attempts to unionize the office.

“When you come into an agency like the Board of Review, which has been fraught with corruption, bad decisions, and shadiness for years, and you try and change that, you get a lot of pushback,” Balanoff said.

KATHERINE CAROLE MORRISON 39, Near West Side Experience: • Partner at Burns Noland LLP, a small law firm, representing state and local governments, including the City of Chicago, and police officers in civil rights lawsuits. She has also defended hospitals, nursing homes, and medical professionals in malpractice cases.

(2018-present) • Associate at a national law firm, defending corporations, hospitals, and municipalities in civil lawsuits (2013-2017) Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2012) Notable: Morrison has helped represent the City of Chicago in high-profile lawsuits, including a 2013 wrongful death case alleging the Chicago Police Department’s “code of silence” protected a former homicide detective who killed two young men when he crashed into their vehicle while driving drunk. The city settled the lawsuit in 2017, and City Council approved a $20 million payout.

Morrison is the daughter of state Sen. Julie Morrison, a Democrat representing parts of Chicago’s northern suburbs.

Morrison’s judicial campaign has received $72,800—the legal limit—from her mother’s campaign fund, as well as $30,000 from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s campaign committee.

M O R E O N LI N E

Check out our comprehensive digital judicial election guide For more detailed judicial candidate profiles, including responses to our candidate survey, complete bar association evaluations, endorsements, and top campaign donors, scan the QR code or visit injusticewatch.org/checkyourjudges.

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

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11TH SUBCIRCUIT M E Y E R S O N VA C A N C Y

11TH SUBCIRCUIT R O B E R T S VA C A N C Y

JARRETT KNOX 44, Oak Park

KIM PRZEKOTA 43, Park Ridge

Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, in the child protection division (2019-present) • Supervising administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Human Services, presiding over hearings on public assistance eligibility (2018-2019) • Attorney at the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, representing minors in abuse and neglect proceedings (2011-2018) • Staff attorney at a domestic violence legal clinic, representing survivors in order-ofprotection hearings (2011) • Fellow at the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, representing victims of elder abuse and exploitation (2008-2010)

Experience: • Circuit Court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, assigned to the domestic violence division (2025-present) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, who prosecuted felony cases at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, served in the grand jury and felony review units, and prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases at the Skokie courthouse (2008-2025)

Law school: DePaul University (2008) Notable: For more than 15 years, Knox and his wife have been licensed foster parents with the Hephzibah Children’s Association in Oak Park.

Law school: DePaul University (2008) Notable: Przekota ran for judge in the 11th subcircuit in 2024 but lost in a close race. She was a Division I college swimmer and water polo player and is the head coach of the Loyola Academy girls water polo team. She is married to Wilmette police Sgt. Chris Przekota.

13TH SUBCIRCUIT C U R RY, J R . VA C A N C Y

JOHN R. CARROZZA 48, Elmwood Park Experience: • Solo practitioner based in River Grove primarily handling criminal defense, real estate law, probate, and estate planning (2009-present) • Associate at a small Chicago law firm (2005-2009) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2005) Notable: Carrozza is a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, whose leaders have historically opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage. In an interview, Carrozza said he takes no issue with same-sex marriage, and although he opposes abortion on religious grounds, his views would not impact his decision-making as a judge. “Obviously, I would do my absolute 110% best to always be fair and impartial. I do truly believe that my beliefs— whatever they may be—would not come into play with regards to any type of rulings,” he said.

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ROBERT ‘BOB’ GROEBNER 54, Inverness Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney assigned to the Skokie courthouse, where he handles felony preliminary hearings, grand jury indictments, and alternative to prosecution programs.

Previous assignments include felony trial, child sex crimes, and felony review units. (1999-present) Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (1999) Notable: Groebner’s wife, Susanne, died in 2022 at the age of 46, less than two years after she was elected as a Cook County Circuit Court judge. Groebner’s mother is bankrolling his campaign with a $344,300 loan.

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

1 3 T H S U B C I R C U I T | M A R T I N C . K E L L E Y VA C A N C Y BRITTANY MICHELLE PEDERSEN 46, Elgin Experience: • Managing partner of Pedersen & Irvin Ltd., in Kane County, working with former Aurora mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin on criminal defense and civil litigation (2017-present) • Partner at the Law Offices of Tegeler & Pedersen, which became Pedersen’s private practice following her former law partner’s election to the Kane County Circuit Court (2012-2017) • Kane County assistant public defender, representing indigent individuals, including those involuntarily committed to Elgin Mental Health Center (2009-2012) Law school: Loyola University Chicago (2008) Notable: Pedersen ran unsuccessfully for Kane County judge twice, in 2020 and 2022. In both races, Pedersen was not recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association, based on negative reviews from dozens of fellow attorneys.

Pedersen has been charged with driving under the influence three times since 2004, court records show. In the first two cases, she ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving. Her latest arrest came in September 2023, after police in Streamwood pulled her over for speeding and the officer noted signs of impairment, records show. The DUI charge in that case was ultimately dismissed, and Pedersen successfully petitioned to expunge the charge from her record over the objections of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, records show. “I’ve made mistakes in my life, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t pick myself back up and keep going because that’s the type of person I am … and that’s why I believe that people deserve second chances, and third chances, and maybe sometimes a fourth,” Pedersen said in an interview.

Pedersen is the president of her father’s landscaping company, which was sued in federal court over wage theft allegations in 2018 and 2019, court records show. The earlier lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount. The most recent lawsuit, which also named Pedersen as a defendant, was certified as a class-action suit and settled in 2020 for about $100,000. Pedersen said that her father runs the business and she helps with its financial and legal dealings and that the company’s attorneys recommended settling the wage-theft claims.

1 3 T H S U B C I R C U I T | T H O M A S J . K E L L E Y VA C A N C Y WILLIAM F. KELLEY 71, Schaumburg Experience: • Managing partner at Kelley, Kelley & Kelley, a law practice founded by his father that specializes in commercial law, business law, and estate planning (1984-present) Law school: Loyola University Chicago (1980) Notable: Two of Kelley’s brothers and former law partners, Martin C. Kelley and Thomas J. Kelley, are former Cook County Circuit Court judges. Martin Kelley died in 2024, and Thomas Kelley, whose seat his brother is running for, retired in 2025.

Kelley is the chair of the Board of Trustees of Harper College in Palatine. He has been on the board since 2003 and previously served as dean of graduate studies.

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1 7 T H S U B C I R C U I T | B R O O KS VA C A N C Y

DAN NARANJO 53, Barrington

NATALIA MOORE 54, Calumet City

Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court and assigned to the domestic violence division (2025-present) • Cook County assistant public defender, serving most recently in the multiple defendant and felony trial divisions (2000-2025) • Associate in a small law firm in Miami specializing in criminal defense (1997-2000)

Experience: • Lead attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office child support services division, litigating civil cases on behalf of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and criminal cases related to unpaid child support, currently supervising about 12 attorneys (2008-present)

Law school: University of Miami (1997)

Notable: As a child, Moore was a member of the performance troupe Emmett Till Players.

Moore also worked as an personal assistant to Mamie Till Mobley, mother of Emmett Till, and continues to serve on the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation executive board.

Notable: For more than 20 years, Naranjo’s primary residence was in Lake County, according to interviews and property records. Naranjo said he applied to become an associate judge in Lake County in 2024, but was unsuccessful. In December that year, the Illinois Supreme Court began accepting applications to fill the vacant Cook County Circuit Court seat previously held by Shannon P. O’Malley, who lost retention after Injustice Watch questioned whether he lived in Cook County, as required. By then, Naranjo said he had moved into a rental in Cook County in order to submit his application. In February 2025, Naranjo and his wife purchased a condo at the edge of the 13th subcircuit. Naranjo was appointed to the O’Malley vacancy in June and put his Lake County house up for sale a month later.

Naranjo was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. as a 1-year-old with his family.

1 6 T H S U B C I R C U I T | B A I R D VA C A N C Y JULIAN SANCHEZ CROZIER 40, Garfield Ridge Experience: • Partner in a small law firm focused on criminal defense (2018-2025) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, prosecuting criminal cases and enforcing child support matters (2013-2018) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2013)

Law school: Thomas Cooley Law School (2006)

In the 1990s, Moore was the host of a popular gospel radio program on WYCA. In 2024, Moore disclosed to the state’s attorney’s office secondary employment in a real estate investment business she runs with a friend and as a distributor for two multilevel marketing companies: Organo Gold and LifeWave. Moore told Injustice Watch she does not currently have active distributors working under her through either company. “I never sought to move up the ranks,” she said.

MERIDTH HAMMER 55, South Chicago Experience: • Attorney in private practice focused on probate, mortgage foreclosure, and estate planning (2009-present) • Hearing board member for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, issuing recommendations on attorney discipline (2023-present) • First deputy general counsel, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (2024-2025) • Supervising administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, hearing appeals of unemployment benefits decisions (2023-2024) • Deputy general counsel, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (2019-2021) • Corporate counsel, Crosstown Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit in Indianapolis (2009-2012) • In-house counsel for a software company and a technology consulting firm (2004-2009) Law school: Indiana University (2001)

1 6 T H S U B C I R C U I T | M E N D O Z A VA C A N C Y JESSICA KARINA VELEZ 41, Near West Side Experience: • Deputy general counsel, Illinois Office of the Comptroller, providing legal advice on public records requests, contracts, labor and employment, and other issues (2023-2025) • Senior trial associate at a midsized Chicago law firm, managing litigation while conducting trial work and mediations (2016-2023) • Associate at three Chicago law firms, working on personal injury, product liability, and other civil litigation (2012-2016)

Notable: Hammer previously ran for judge in a 2022 countywide race and received not recommended ratings from the bar associations. She also unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the South Chicago (4th) Police District Council in 2023.

On a resume submitted to Injustice Watch in early December and posted on her campaign site, Hammer listed her current job as first deputy general counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County even though she left the role in August 2025. She updated her resume in mid-January after Injustice Watch raised questions, but her website’s About page remained unchanged as of Feb. 2.

Between 2010 and 2020, Hammer faced Indiana and federal tax liens over more than $34,000 in unpaid taxes, all of which were repaid. A number of civil credit judgments were also entered against her in that period, court records show. Hammer has also faced foreclosure on property she owned in Indianapolis and been sued in eviction court. All cases were dismissed. Hammer said experiencing financial setbacks would inform her perspective as a judge. “I do understand people having to be in that position,” she said. “It’s a tough decision to have to choose between paying your mortgage and feeding yourself.”

Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2012) INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

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1 7 T H S U B C I R C U I T | C A R R O L L VA C A N C Y AMARI DAWSON 52, Homewood Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in several divisions, including felony review and felony trials, and currently serving in the appeals division (2007-present) • Director of community corrections at Beloved Community Family Services, a nonprofit organization based in Englewood, where she supervised juvenile diversion programs (2005-2007) Law school: University of Mississippi (2004) Notable: At the age of 19, Dawson was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $510 in connection with a federal drug trafficking case, according to news reports. Dawson, who referenced her criminal record when she applied to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, did not respond to Injustice Watch’s requests for an interview. Her campaign website refers to Dawson as a teen experiencing “challenges such as dealing with emotional trauma caused by violence, managing motherhood while still in adolescence, and confronting the flaws present within the justice system.” Before law school, Dawson worked as a parole agent for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

BIANCA B. BROWN 40, Lynwood Experience: • Associate at a Chicago law firm specializing in personal injury defense and wrongful death litigation (2025-present) • Chief attorney, Chicago Transit Authority, handling complex civil litigation (2021-2025) • Hearing board member, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, issuing recommendations on attorney discipline (2016-2025) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, in the civil division, defending agencies and employees in federal civil rights and other litigation (2018-2021) • Regional director and assistant attorney general, consumer protection division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, representing the state in lawsuits against businesses and employers accused of financial fraud and discrimination (2013-2018) • Assistant corporation counsel, City of Chicago, focused on municipal misdemeanor prosecutions, 10 B10

particularly violations of the city’s gun ordinance (2011-2013) Law school: Thomas Cooley Law School (2010) Notable: Brown is the granddaughter of Ethel Skyles Alexander-Taylor, who served in both the Illinois Senate and House between 1979 and 1993.

ANDRÉ THAPEDI 57, South Chicago Experience: • Illinois state representative, serving the 32nd District on the South Side. In 2020, he investigated the Covid-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home that killed 36 residents.

(2009-2021) • A biography by the Illinois General Assembly’s Legislative Review Unit said Thapedi had previously worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the law department of the Chicago Transit Authority, and spent eight years as an attorney at two law firms before becoming a partner in Thapedi & Thapedi. Injustice Watch could not verify the dates of these positions.

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (1996) Notable: Thapedi is the son of the late Cook County Circuit Court Judge Llwellyn Greene-Thapedi. They practiced law together before her death in 2014. As a member of the General Assembly, Thapedi was the first Black chair of the House judiciary-civil committee.

Florida land and business records show Thapedi has maintained a presence in the Fort Myers area for many years. In May 2021, Thapedi surrendered his Illinois driver’s license for a Florida license. Thapedi moved to the 17th subcircuit in February 2025, using a trust to buy a home just inside the subcircuit boundaries. His mortgage called this property his secondary residence and stated his current residence was in Florida. The following month, Thapedi updated his Illinois voter registration with his Chicago home’s address, records show.

In 2012, Thapedi contested allegations of legal incompetence after he briefly represented the family of a 3-year-old Cabrini-Green housing project resident killed after a gate collapsed. Thapedi and his mother claimed legal fees of $597,068, but the trial judge awarded them only about $79,000 after evaluating allegations the Thapedis “grossly overstated” their hours. An appellate court upheld the decision. The Thapedis denied wrongdoing. Thapedi did not respond to requests for comment.

INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

1 8 T H S U B C I R C U I T | A N D R E O U VA C A N C Y SAM BAE 54, Mount Prospect Experience: • Attorney in private practice in Des Plaines focusing on personal injury, real estate, civil rights, domestic relations, and other civil cases (2012-present) • Attorney at a small firm with his sister, Jennifer, practicing in civil court (2000-2012) • Associate at a midsize Chicago firm working on personal injury, commercial, discrimination, and civil rights cases (1999-2000) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (1998) Notable: Bae immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea with his family in 1978. He ran unsuccessfully for judge in a northwest suburban subcircuit in 2014. He was elected to the board of River Trails School District 26 and served from 2017 to 2021.

1 8 T H S U B C I R C U I T | C H R O N E S VA C A N C Y JUAN PONCE DE LEON 42, Des Plaines Experience: • Cook County assistant public defender assigned to the Rolling Meadows courthouse. He previously handled felony and misdemeanor cases in Chicago and represented young people in juvenile court as well as parents in custody hearings. (2010-present) • Worked at a small suburban law firm representing clients in traffic and minor criminal matters (2009-2010) Law school: Northern Illinois University (2009) Notable: Ponce de Leon’s uncle is retired Judge Edmund Ponce de Leon, the former presiding judge in Maywood and the first Hispanic judge to oversee a court division in Cook County.

1 9 T H S U B C I R C U I T | FA I R M A N VA C A N C Y SARA McGANN 47, Beverly Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing traffic cases (2025-present) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, working as a supervisor in the criminal appeals division.

She previously handled misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings in the fourth municipal district and worked in drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts in the fifth and sixth municipal districts. (2009-2016; 2018-2025) • Enrollment director at a private high school, leading a capital campaign and supervising workers (2017-2018) • Public affairs director, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, managing media relations (2016-2017) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2009)

1 9T H S U B C I R C U I T | K A N E VAC A N CY

20TH SUBCIRCUIT | HARACZ VACANCY

MONICA SOMERVILLE 64, Beverly

JOHN HARKINS 55, Palos Heights

MICHAEL J. ZINK 46, Lakeview

Experience: • Staff attorney, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, assisting clients with expungements (2025-present) • Hearing officer, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, hearing appeals related to business license revocations (2024-present) • Senior attorney, Forest Preserves of Cook County, focusing on contracts and litigation (2023-2024) • Deputy director, Chicago Department of Finance, working on collection programs and supervising the system to resolve ticket disputes (2018-2021) • Director of the workers’ compensation program for the Chicago City Council committee on finance (2013-2017) • Supervising administrative law judge, Illinois Department of Employment Security, conducting hearings on unemployment appeals cases (2009-2013) • Attorney representing the U.S. Postal Service Law Department on employment discrimination cases (2007-2009) • Administrative law judge, state Department of Employment Security (2003-2007) • Chief assistant corporation counsel, City of Chicago Law Department, handling wrongful death and other civil lawsuits (2000-2001) • Litigation counsel, Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (1997-2000) • Assistant corporation counsel, City of Chicago, handling personal injury and negligence cases (1991-1997)

Experience: • Assistant general counsel, Cook County Sheriff ’s Office. He previously served as director of the Sheriff ’s Work Alternative Program, a public policy aide, and as liaison to the judiciary. (2009-present) • Trader at two Chicago investment firms (2002-2009)

Experience: • Circuit court judge appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, hearing civil cases in the first municipal district (2024-present) • Partner at a small firm specializing in housing and eviction (2004-2024)

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (1989) Notable: In April 2024, Somerville’s job with the Forest Preserves of Cook County was terminated without explanation before the end of her probationary period, personnel records show.

Somerville did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2001, she was fired from the Chicago Law Department. She claimed in a 2002 lawsuit that she was fired after she spoke out about race and sex discrimination by her boss, but the city cited poor performance as the reason. Her lawsuit was dismissed.

From 2013 to 2017, Somerville helped run the city’s controversial workers’ compensation program, which was operated for decades by Ald. Ed Burke’s finance committee until he was indicted in 2019. A subsequent audit of the program, which included the last year Somerville was in charge, found it did not have measures in place to detect or prevent fraud and that claims data was incomplete and disorganized.

Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (2017) Notable: Harkins’ wife, Jenny Harkins, is the niece of former Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan and James “Skinny” Sheahan, a former aide to Mayor Richard M. Daley. Jenny Harkins’ sister is married to 19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea. The Sheahan brothers and O’Shea are listed as part of his campaign committee, along with Sheriff Tom Dart.

Harkins was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2018. Most bar associations will not find a judicial candidate qualified if they have not been an attorney for at least 10 years. Harkins did not respond to questions about his experience.

DAVE CONDRON 51, Beverly Experience: • Assistant corporation counsel supervisor, Chicago Law Department, representing the city in civil rights and police misconduct cases (2023-present) • Associate at a small firm, litigating contract disputes (2018-2023) • Associate at a small Chicago firm focused on eminent domain on behalf of various state transportation agencies and personal injury defense (2017-2018) • Cook County assistant state’s attorney, working in the civil actions bureau, the gang crimes unit, and the public corruption and financial crimes unit (2001-2017) Law school: IIT Chicago-Kent (2000) Notable: Condron is married to Yvette C. Loizon, chief of policy for Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke.

Law school: DePaul University (2004) Notable: Zink unsuccessfully ran for judge in 2024 in the 20th subcircuit.

Zink’s campaign website at the time said he “directs his practice towards tenants’ rights and independent landlord support,” but court records showed Zink almost exclusively represented landlords in eviction cases. “What I’ve done quite a bit, in recent years especially, is try to keep tenants out of eviction court,” he said at the time.

20TH SUBCIRCUIT | MILLER VACANCY JON STROMSTA 66, North Center Experience: • Administrative law judge, Illinois Department of Employment Security (2022-present) • Panel arbitrator, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, resolving securities-related disputes (2021-present) • Partner at two small law firms, focused on civil litigation, family law, and criminal defense (2008-2010) • Assistant defender, Office of the State Appellate Defender, filing postconviction petitions on behalf of people in prison who had previously been given death sentences (2004-2010) • Solo practitioner, focused on civil litigation, criminal defense, and postconviction proceedings (2000-2004) • In-house counsel to the Teamsters’ Central States Funds (1997-2000) • Associate and partner at a midsize law firm handling commercial, tort, employment, intellectual property, and criminal defense matters (1985-1997) • Law clerk, U.S. District Judge Harold A. Baker (1984-1985) Law school: University of Minnesota (1984) Notable: From the late 1980s until 2003, Stromsta provided pro bono representation to clients in Illinois death penalty cases. Stromsta ran unsuccessfully for a 10th subcircuit vacancy in 2020.

BELLE KATUBIG 60, Lakeview Experience: • Cook County assistant state’s attorney in the medical litigation unit, defending doctors and staff of the Cook County Health System (2018-present) • Associate and partner at a Chicago law firm representing doctors in medical malpractice cases (2001-2018) • Attorney at two Chicago law firms (1997-2001) Law school: UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) (1996) INJUSTICE WATCH JUDICIAL ELECTION GUIDE • 2026 PRIMARY

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Research & reporting: Carlos Ballesteros, Aura Bogado, Alejandra Cancino, Maya Dukmasova, Kelly Garcia, Dan Hinkel, and David Jackson Editing & project management: Jonah Newman Engagement & promotion: Nathan Armstrong, Danny Callison, Amanda Miley, Charles Preston, Jason Schumer, and Maggie Sivit Web development: Monkruman St. Jules and Hayley Owens Cover illustration: Verόnica Martinez