Cook County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Reaves-Harris is on the ballot for retention in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race asks voters whether to keep Reaves-Harris on the bench.

Reaves-Harris won election to the Cook County Circuit Court 7th Subcircuit on Nov. 3, 2020, receiving 100% of the vote, totaling 82,987 votes, according to Ballotpedia. She assumed office on Dec. 7, 2020. Her current term ends Dec. 7, 2026. She is assigned to the Housing Section, Courtroom 1111, at the Daley Center, according to the Chicago Council of Lawyers, which lists her in the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening 2026 Retention Class.

In a retention race, no opposing candidate appears on the ballot. Voters mark "yes" or "no."

Candidate information

  • Office sought: Illinois Circuit Court Judge, Cook County Circuit (retention)
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Residence: Chicago
  • Education: J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law; bachelor's degree in economics and marketing from University of Illinois-Chicago Circle; high school diploma from Cooley Vocational High School
  • Family: Two daughters

Reaves-Harris grew up on the West Side of Chicago, according to a prior Chicago Sun-Times column published before she took the bench. She said at the time that she lives in the home of her father and grandmother, which has been in the community for over 80 years. She described herself as a cancer survivor who, she said, routinely takes pro bono clients.

Experience and public service

Before joining the bench, Reaves-Harris held roles in law, government and the private sector, according to BallotReady profile data and Ballotpedia:

  • Illinois Circuit Court Judge, Cook County Circuit (Dec. 7, 2020, to present), according to the Circuit Court of Cook County
  • Special assistant for legal affairs, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (2017 to 2020)
  • Attorney, private practice (1996 to 2017)
  • State representative, Illinois General Assembly (2015 to 2017)
  • Administrative law judge/hearing officer
  • Assistant vice president, Citibank (1992 to 1995)

During the 2015 Illinois legislative session, Reaves-Harris served on the House committees for Energy; Intermodal Infrastructure; Judiciary – Civil; and Tourism & Conventions, according to Ballotpedia.

On the issues

No issue responses from Reaves-Harris were available for this profile.

Endorsements

No endorsements were supplied for this profile.

Candidate profile information comes from Ballotpedia, BallotReady, the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Chicago Council of Lawyers and the Chicago Sun-Times. Voters go to the polls on Nov. 3, 2026.