Cook County Circuit Court Judge Chris Stacey will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot for a retention vote. North Shore voters in Cook County will see Stacey's name on their ballots.
Retention elections are nonpartisan. Voters answer a single yes-or-no question: should the judge remain in office? No opposing candidate appears on the ballot.
Candidate information
- Full legal name: Christ Stanley Stacey
- Office sought: Illinois Circuit Court Judge, Cook County Circuit (retention)
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, University of Wisconsin (1979); juris doctor, The John Marshall Law School (1982)
Experience and public service
Stacey has served as a Cook County Circuit Court judge since Dec. 7, 2020, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Before taking the bench, he ran his own practice, the Law Office of Chris S. Stacey, starting in 1997.
His earlier career included litigation work at three firms. He was a litigation attorney at Kocsis, Mohr & Gaertner from 1988 to 1997. Earlier, he worked at James L. Pittman & Associates from 1985 to 1987 and at Louis G. Davidson & Associates from 1983 to 1985.
He began his legal career as an extern judicial clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras in the Northern District of Illinois from 1981 to 1982.
On the issues
Criminal justice and public safety
Stacey said in his BallotReady questionnaire that his "career has been about fighting for equality, dignity and respect for everyone – regardless of background." He said the constitution requires equal justice for all.
The candidate did not provide detailed policy positions or implementation plans beyond this statement.
Endorsements
When Stacey first ran for the bench in 2020 to fill the Mason vacancy, he received the following ratings and endorsements:
- Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, and Illinois State Bar Association — all three bar associations rated Stacey "Qualified" or higher for the 2020 Cook County Circuit Court race, according to WTTW News
- Chicago Tribune Editorial Board — endorsed Stacey for the 2020 primary, noting he was the only candidate in the Mason vacancy race rated highly by the Chicago Bar Association and calling him "an experienced private practice attorney with excellent demeanor and strong command of the law," according to the Chicago Tribune
No 2026 endorsements or updated bar association ratings were provided in the candidate's materials.
Candidate issue responses are drawn from Stacey's BallotReady questionnaire and campaign website. Endorsement ratings are sourced from the organizations listed. North Shore Weekly does not endorse candidates.
