Skip to main content

Andrea M. Buford

Circuit Court Judge, Cook County

AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

How we make profilesReport an error

Overview

Andrea M. Buford was appointed to the circuit court in 2013 and is Acting Presiding Judge of the Child Protection Division, handling abuse and neglect cases.1 She previously practiced civil defense.1 She was also a sole practitioner.2 She is a past president of the Illinois Judicial Council.3 In 2025, she won the Impact of the Year Award from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.4

Campaign money

Not found in public sources as of Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Endorsements and bar evaluations

  • Chicago Federation of Labor5Union

Yes means the group recommends keeping the judge in office.

  • Chicago Bar Association: “Qualified”6
  • Chicago Council of Lawyers: “Qualified”7
  • Illinois State Bar Association: “Yes”3
  • Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening: All 10 other member groups that rated this judge said “Yes”.8 1 other member group published no rating. Each group’s rating (PDF)

Sources

  1. Judge Andrea M. Buford elevated to Acting Presiding Judge of the Child Protection Division, Circuit Court of Cook County. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  2. Chicago Council of Lawyers Evaluation Report – Vote For Judges, Chicago Council of Lawyers. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  3. Cook County Judicial Evaluations - Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  4. Illinois judges receive recognition and awards, Illinois Courts. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  5. NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  6. Vote Smart: CBA Judicial Voter's Guide, General Election, November 3, 2026, Chicago Bar Association. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  7. Evaluation Report: Judges on the Ballot in the November 3, 2026 General Election, Chicago Council of Lawyers. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  8. Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening, 2026 General Election ratings, Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.