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Steven G. Watkins

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

Steven G. Watkins was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in May 2014 and is a supervising judge in the Criminal Division.1 From 2001 to 2014, he was a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation, and real estate work.2 He ordered the release of sealed investigative records in the Jussie Smollett case, following arguments for the public's right of access to court records.3

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 Labor4Union

Yes means the group recommends keeping the judge in office.

  • Chicago Bar Association: “Qualified”5
  • Chicago Council of Lawyers: “Qualified”6
  • Illinois State Bar Association: “Yes”1
  • Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening: All 10 other member groups that rated this judge said “Yes”.7 1 other member group published no rating. Each group’s rating (PDF)

Sources

  1. Cook County Judicial Evaluations, Illinois State Bar Association. 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. Illinois judge orders records in 'Empire' actor Jussie ..., ABC News. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  4. NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  5. Vote Smart: CBA Judicial Voter's Guide, General Election, November 3, 2026, Chicago Bar Association. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  6. Evaluation Report: Judges on the Ballot in the November 3, 2026 General Election, Chicago Council of Lawyers. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
  7. Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening, 2026 General Election ratings, Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening. Viewed Tuesday, October 6, 2026.