In 2020, two seats were up for partisan election on the Illinois Supreme Court, which is elected by districts. Justice P. Scott Neville is running for election to the seat the Supreme Court appointed him to in 2018, and a special election will be held for retiring Justice Lloyd Karmeier’s seat. The primary election took place on March 17, 2020 and the general election took place on November 3, 2020.
Justice Neville retained his seat, though he faced six challengers in the Democratic primary for District 1: Attorney Daniel Epstein and Appellate Court Judges Cynthia Cobbs, Sheldon “Shelly” Harris, Nathaniel R. Howse, Margaret Stanton McBride, and Jesse Reyes. There were no candidates competing in the Republican primary for Justice Neville’s seat. For Justice Karmeier’s District 5 seat, Appellate Court Judge Judy Cates ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and Appellate Court Judges John B. Barberis Jr and David K. Overstreet competed in the Republican primary, which Overstreet won. In addition, Justice Thomas Kilbride stood for retention election in order to keep his seat on the bench. Kilbride lost his retention election, and Overstreet won the election to take over Justice Karmeier’s seat.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $7,360,210*
- Estimated spending by Sheldon “Shelly” Harris: $1,749,660
- Estimated spending by Jesse Reyes: $223,410
- Estimated spending by Margaret Stanton McBride: $66,580
- Estimated spending by P. Scott Neville: $57,610
- Estimated spending by Judy Cates: $225,330
- Estimated spending by Thomas Kilbride: $2,821,550
- Estimated spending by Citizens for Judicial Fairness: $2,215,360
- Estimated spending by Clean Courts Committee: $710
*Spending figures last updated November 10, 2020
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February 25 –Everyone Deserves an Advocate
In this ad, Shelly Harris says, “everyone deserves an advocate, a voice” and endorses him for the Illinois Supreme Court.
Sponsor: Sheldon “Shelly” Harris
Estimated Spending: $637,590
February 29 – The Child of Immigrants SP
This Spanish language ad endorses Jesse Reyes for the Illinois Supreme Court
Sponsor: Jesse Reyes
Estimated Spending: $48,880
March 2 –Equal Access
This ad says that “Jesse Reyes is ensuring that all people have equal access to our court system”
Sponsor: Jesse Reyes
Estimated Spending: $174,530
March 3 – Patricia
This ad features a mother who lost her child to gun violence who says that Shelly Harris “stopped felons from legally owning guns.”
Sponsor: Sheldon “Shelly” Harris
Estimated Spending: $623,840
March 9 – Everyday She Wears This Robe
This ad says that Margaret Stanton McBride is “the most experienced candidate” and that she has been “visionary for equal rights and domestic violence survivors.”
Sponsor: Margaret Stanton McBride
Estimated Spending: $66,580
March 10 – Thirty Years
In this ad, Shelly Harris says that “I’m asking for your vote because we need a little more common sense on the bench.”
Sponsor: Sheldon “Shelly” Harris
Estimated Spending: $488,230
March 12 – Trailblazer
This ad says that “Justice Neville is a champion for diversity on the bench” and “our Supreme Court should look like all of us.”
Sponsor: P. Scott Neville
Estimated Spending: $57,610
August 15 – I Believe in Giving Back
In this ad, Judy Cates says that she “believes in giving back to my community. That is why my family is creating jobs in southern Illinois.”
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $5,220
August 15 – Small Town Values
In this ad, Judy Cates says that she “understands small town values. My dad owned a small business and I still live in the town where I grew up.” She goes on to “ask for your vote” for the Illinois Supreme Court.
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $12,030
September 21 – Powerful Interests
In this ad, Thomas Kilbride says “powerful interests control so much of our state, but they should never control our courts.”
Sponsor: Thomas Kilbride
Estimated Spending: $633,560
October 2 – I’m Asking for Your Support
In this ad, Thomas Kilbride “asks for your support to continue to serve on your supreme court” and that as a judge he works to “make sure the law works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well connected.”
Sponsor: Thomas Kilbride
Estimated Spending: $420,230
October 6 – Leaders in the Judiciary
This ad says that “leaders in the judiciary and law enforcement from both parties agree Justice Tom Kilbride deserves to be retained.”
Sponsor: Thomas Kilbride
Estimated Spending: $723,260
October 6 – Make a Positive Change
In this ad, Judy Cates says that she “likes to make a positive change in people’s lives” and that the people of Illinois should “trust that I will continue to do the right thing.”
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $10
October 6 – Only One Supreme Court
This ad says that “only one supreme court candidate Judge Judy Ctes prosecuted rapists, murderers, and child abusers in southern Illinois.” The ad goes on to say that “David Overstreet is owned by big insurance.”
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $160,910
October 6 – Positive Change
In this ad, Judy Cates says that she “likes to make a positive change in people’s lives” and that the people of Illinois should “trust that I will continue to do the right thing.”
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $28,160
October 6 – Since 1978
In this ad, Judy Cates says that she “became an assistant prosecutor in 1978. That experience allowed me to see the best and worst of humanity.” She goes on to say “I am ready to be your supreme court justice.”
Sponsor: Judy Cates
Estimated Spending: $18,310
October 10 – Justice Tom Kilbride
This ad says that Thomas Kilbride is “Mike Madigan’s favorite judge.” Madigan is the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. The ad goes on to say that “Madigan’s machine funded Kilbride’s campaign with millions, and on the court, Kilbride protected Madigan’s power, again and again.”
Sponsor: Citizens for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $844,860
October 13 – Has Been Attacked Harshly
In this ad, Thomas Kilbride says that he has “been attacked harshly, repeatedly and falsely.” He goes on to say that “these attacks are lies and distortions.”
Sponsor: Thomas Kilbride
Estimated Spending: $418,410
October 22 – Speaker Mike Madigan
This ad says that “Madigan’s machine funnels millions to elect Tom Kilbride’s campaign. On the court, Kilbride issues rulings benefitting Mike Madigan.”
Sponsor: Citizens for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $1,370,500
October 22 – Warning
This ad says “a convicted felon, found guilty of predatory sexual assault of a child, is free on the streets. Why? Because Judge David Overstreet released this child rapist from big money prison.”
Sponsor: Clean Courts Committee
Estimated Spending: $710
October 26 – Backed by the Blue
This ad says that Thomas Kilbride is “backed by the blue, the men and women who put their lives on the line each day trust Kilbride” and goes on to say that Kilbride is “endorsed by law enforcement for being tough on crime and political corruption.”
Sponsor: Thomas Kilbride
Estimated Spending: $626,090