Judge Lorraine Murphy faces Cook County retention vote

Circuit Court Judge Lorraine Mary Murphy is on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot for a retention vote. Cook County voters will decide whether to keep Murphy on the bench.

Murphy was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County on Nov. 3, 2020, filling the Roti vacancy. She presides in Courtroom 207 at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, in the Second Municipal District, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

In a retention race, voters answer "yes" or "no" on whether to keep a sitting judge. No opposing candidate appears on the ballot.

Candidate information

Office sought: Illinois Circuit Court Judge, Cook County Circuit (retention)
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Party: Nonpartisan
Education: Juris doctor, Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2003; bachelor's degree in journalism
Bar admission: Illinois, 2003

Experience and public service

Before joining the bench, Murphy served as an assistant state's attorney in Cook County. She said she tried more than 70 felony jury trials to verdict during her 16-plus years as a prosecutor, 19 of which were murder cases, along with hundreds of bench trials, according to a candidate profile on the Leyhane blog.

Before law school, Murphy said she worked as a reporter at CNN in Atlanta and as an on-air reporter at an NBC affiliate in West Virginia, according to the same profile.

Murphy said she serves on the board of directors for the Reach Out Community Center, located at 22nd and Troy in Chicago, where she said she helps plan events and mentors children.

On the issues

Murphy's campaign website states she has dedicated her career to public service and has been working for Cook County residents "to make it a better and safer place for everyone." No specific policy positions or judicial priorities were provided beyond that general statement.

Endorsements

Murphy was rated "Qualified" or higher by three bar associations for the 2020 Cook County Circuit Court election to fill the Roti vacancy, as reported by WTTW News. The endorsing organizations: