ACS Chicago: 1st Judicial Subcircuit Candidates Forum

Join the ACS Chicago Lawyer Chapter, ACS DePaul Law Student Chapter, and the ACS UIC Law Student Chapter for a public forum featuring the candidates running to fill the two vacancies within the 1st Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. The forum will take place at a soon to-be-announced location in the loop.

State of the Race:

On Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, there will be an election to fill two vacancies within the 1st Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. As of the end of the filing period, there are no Republican candidates. On the Democratic side, five candidates filed. Because these are the only candidates, the primary will be the only opportunity to hear from a candidate, of any party, vying for the 1st Judicial Subcircuit on critical issues facing our judiciary in the coming years.

Featuring (in alphabetical order by last name):

Walker Vacancy

• Tiffany N. Brooks, First Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
• Ashley Greer Shambley, Assistant Public Defender, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
• Hon. Ginger Odom, Judge, Illinois Circuit Court (1st Subcircuit)

Balanoff Vacancy

• Natalie L. Howse, Former Assistant General Counsel, Illinois Commission on Equity & Inclusion
• Radiance Ward, Assistant Public Defender, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Moderated by:

Kelly Garcia, Reporter, Injustice Watch

Note: ACS is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan educational organization. This is a non-partisan candidate forum.