Cook County Circuit Court William Hooks vacancy

ISBA:

Ava M. George Stewart was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2003. She started her career with the City of Chicago trying traffic cases. In 2005, she started her own practice concentrating in criminal defense. From 2021 to 2023, she was Chief of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Criminal Division. She returned to her own criminal defense practice in 2023. Since January of 2025, Ms. Stewart has also served as a hearing officer for the Water Reclamation District. Since 2018, she has also taught appellate advocacy at UIC law school.

Ms. George Stewart has been active in several bar associations, serving as an officer, board, or committee member in the ISBA, Lincoln American Inn of Court, WBAI, BWLA, and Women Criminal Defense Lawyers at various times. ISBA finds Ava George Stewart qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Out of public necessity to ensure an adequate level of judicial staffing in Cook County and having no opposition in the upcoming general election, Ava George Stewart was appointed to the circuit court on August 10, 2026; assigned to the First Municipal District, Municipal Department, Circuit Court of Cook County.