Cook County Circuit Court Judge Judith C. Rice faces a retention vote on Nov. 3, 2026. Voters will see a yes-or-no question on the general election ballot asking whether Rice should continue serving.

Rice has served as a circuit court judge since December 2014, according to Wikipedia. She is presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Division, where she launched the After Hours Emergency Order of Protection Pilot in September 2022. That program enables domestic violence survivors to obtain orders of protection outside regular court business hours, according to the American Bar Association.

She has held the post since 2014.

In August 2024, Rice received the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence's Judith S. Kaye Award. The organization cited her "exemplary leadership developing courtroom responses to domestic and sexual violence issues," according to the Illinois Courts.

Rice won retention in the Nov. 3, 2020, election with 78.3% yes votes, receiving 1,285,368 yes votes to 355,910 no votes.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Judith C. Rice
  • Date of birth: July 30, 1957, in Chicago
  • Office sought: Cook County Circuit Court Judge (retention)
  • Education: Bachelor of arts in communications, Loyola University Chicago (1981); juris doctor in law, John Marshall Law School, now UIC John Marshall Law School (1988)

Experience and public service

Before joining the bench, Rice held positions in Chicago city government and law:

  • Victim/witness assistant, Cook County State's Attorney's Office (1982)
  • Prosecutor, Cook County State's Attorney's Office (1988)
  • Assistant to the Illinois attorney general, Illinois Attorney General's Office (1988–1989)
  • Assistant corporation counsel, City of Chicago (1989–1990)
  • Director of administrative adjunction, City of Chicago (1990–1992)
  • Director, Department of Revenue, City of Chicago (1993–1995)
  • Executive assistant to the mayor, Office of Mayor Richard M. Daley (1995–1996)
  • Commissioner, Chicago Department of Water (1996–1999), the first woman to hold the post
  • Head, Chicago Department of Transportation (1999–2000), also the first woman in that role
  • City treasurer, City of Chicago (2000–2006)
  • Deputy mayor, City of Chicago (2006–2007)
  • Senior vice president, director of government relations, community affairs and economic development, BMO Harris Bank (2007)
  • Circuit court judge, Cook County Circuit Court (December 2014–present)

Rice has also served on the advisory board of the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center. On the Cook County Circuit Court, she was assigned to the Domestic Relations Division before becoming presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Division.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are claimed by the endorsers, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • IUOE Local 150
  • Cook County Democrats

Candidate profile information is drawn from reviewed public sources including BallotReady, the American Bar Association, the Illinois Courts and Wikipedia. No candidate questionnaire responses were available for this profile.