Cook County Circuit Court Judge Chris Stacey is on the ballot for a retention vote in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
In a retention race, voters decide whether to keep a sitting judge on the bench. Cook County Circuit Court judges hear criminal, civil, family and other trial-level cases across the county. The race is nonpartisan.
Stacey has served as a circuit court judge since Dec. 7, 2020, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County. On his campaign website, Stacey said his career has centered on equal justice.
Candidate information
- Full legal name: Christ Stanley Stacey
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, University of Wisconsin (1979); juris doctor, The John Marshall Law School (1982)
Experience and public service
Before joining the bench, Stacey spent decades in private litigation practice. He began his legal career as an extern judicial clerk for Judge Charles P. Kocoras in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 1981 to 1982, according to BallotReady profile data.
Stacey worked as a litigation attorney at Louis G. Davidson & Associates from 1983 to 1985 and at James L. Pittman & Associates from 1985 to 1987. He joined Kocsis, Mohr & Gaertner from 1988 to 1997. He opened the Law Office of Chris S. Stacey in 1997.
On the issues
Criminal justice and public safety: Stacey, in a questionnaire response provided through BallotReady, said the constitution requires equal justice for all. He said his career "has been about fighting for equality, dignity and respect for everyone – regardless of background."
Endorsements
In his 2020 race for the Cook County Circuit Court (Mason vacancy), Stacey received the following endorsements and ratings. No 2026 retention-specific endorsements appear in available records.
- The Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, and Illinois State Bar Association rated Stacey qualified or higher for the 2020 election, according to WTTW News.
- The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board endorsed Stacey for the 2020 primary, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Candidate information in this profile is drawn from BallotReady questionnaire responses, the Circuit Court of Cook County, and published reporting. Responses attributed to the candidate reflect the candidate's own statements.
