Democrats hold on to majority on Illinois Supreme Court as Judge Elizabeth Rochford declares victory

Democrats held on to their majority on the Illinois Supreme Court docket Tuesday evening as Choose Elizabeth Rochford declared victory in considered one of two vacant seats up for grabs.

Rochford thanked her supporters about 10:30 p.m. after her Republican opponent, Mark Curran, known as to concede within the newly drawn suburban 2nd District.

“I’m so pleased with what we completed, we’re simply getting began,” Rochford advised a cheering crowd.

As she spoke, about 78% of precincts had been counted, with Rochford up 56% to 44% over the previous Lake County sheriff who was in search of his first-ever judicial workplace in a district overlaying the northwestern and western suburbs.

Curran later confirmed the decision, saying he thanked her for a superb race. “I’ve identified her a very long time. She’s a superb woman,” he mentioned.

Within the western and southwestern suburban third District, Appellate Justice Mary Kay O’Brien held a scant 51%-49% lead over incumbent Republican Justice Michael J. Burke, with 54% of precincts counted.

This yr, with two vacancies to fill, Republicans believed that they had a shot at shifting the courtroom’s steadiness with abortion, gun management and staff’ rights within the highlight.

The courtroom’s boundaries additionally had been redrawn for the primary time in 58 years. However whereas Democrats mapped out the strains, they couldn’t assure wins. Hundreds of thousands of {dollars} had been poured into these races, but the courtroom’s steadiness appeared, early on, certain for a similar break up.

At her social gathering on the Submit Time Bar and Grille in Libertyville, Rochford mentioned she solely thought-about operating for the Supreme Court docket seat when the brand new district was created. “It was a chance I by no means dreamed of, however I wished to have the ability to serve.”

The Lake County decide mentioned she wouldn’t be ready for the function with out prior expertise as a decide. “I believe I’dcertainly be at an obstacle.”

Curran additionally hosted a celebration in Libertyville,at Austin’s Restaurant, the place supporters mentioned Curran’s work in legislation enforcement makes up for his lack of expertise as a decide.

”He was a sheriff and he’s been a lawyer, however most vital is I imagine he has widespread sense,” mentioned Jim Stubing, a cupboard maker of 46 years. “He’s seen all of it, in order that’s completely different from how a decide would see it.”

The newly drawn 2nd District covers Kane, Lake and McHenry counties plus DeKalb and Kendall counties.

The third District contains DuPage and Will counties, plus Bureau, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee and LaSalle counties.

Burke, an Illinois appellate justice for 12 years, was appointed to the Supreme Court docket in 2020 to fill a retirement emptiness within the then-2nd District.

O’Brien has been a justice on the third District Appellate Court docket for over 19 years, and earlier than that she was a member of the Illinois Home of Representatives.