Cook County Circuit Court Maureen Ward Kirby's seat

ISBA:

Judge Ward Kirby was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She was appointed to the circuit court in 2007; elected in 2008; retained in 2014 and 2020. She has been assigned to the County Division in 2009, and in June 2025 was named Presiding Judge, after serving as acting Presiding Judge since 2023. Prior to her appointment she had been in private practice handling complex commercial litigation. She has frequently spoken on civil mental health issues and serves on Illinois Supreme Court Committees. She is a member of various bar and judicial organizations and has served on the Boards of the Illinois Judges Association and the Illinois Judges Foundation.

She is highly regarded by attorneys for her legal knowledge, integrity, even-handedness and ability to handle a variety of legal issues. ISBA recommends Judge Maureen Ward Kiry be retained to the Circuit Court of Cook County.