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Patrick Kevin Coughlin

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.

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Overview

Judge Patrick Kevin Coughlin was elected in 2014 and hears felony cases in Markham.1 Before joining the bench, he was a prosecutor for 18 years, serving as deputy bureau chief in the narcotics division.1 In 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court overturned his 38-year sentence for a defendant with rehabilitative potential.1

Campaign money

No committee of their own. Judges up for retention campaign together through the Committee for Retention of Judges in Cook County.

Endorsements and bar evaluations

  • Chicago Federation of Labor2Union

Yes means the group recommends keeping the judge in office.

  • Chicago Bar Association: “Qualified”3
  • Chicago Council of Lawyers: “Qualified”4
  • Illinois State Bar Association: “Yes”5
  • Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening: All 10 other member groups that rated this judge said “Yes”.6 1 other member group published no rating. Each group’s rating (PDF)

Sources

  1. Patrick Kevin Coughlin - Cook County November 2026 ..., Injustice Watch. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  2. NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  3. Vote Smart: CBA Judicial Voter's Guide, General Election, November 3, 2026, Chicago Bar Association. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  4. Evaluation Report: Judges on the Ballot in the November 3, 2026 General Election, Chicago Council of Lawyers. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  5. 2026 General Election, Cook County Judicial Evaluations, Illinois State Bar Association. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  6. Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening, 2026 General Election ratings, Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.