Illinois judges receive recognition and awards

Illinois judges are increasingly being recognized for their dedicated work in courtrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the recent honors received by Illinois judges:

• First District Appellate Court Justice Sharon Oden Johnson was honored on March 20 by the Chicago Defender as a recipient of the 2026 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence award at their Awards and Induction Ceremony in Chicago.
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• Vanguard Awards are presented annually by the Chicago Bar Association in conjunction with local bar associations. The awards honor the individuals and institutions who have made the law and legal profession more accessible to and reflective of the community at large. Those honored with an award this year included:
  • Avani Patel, Senior Supervising Attorney for Illinois Court Help, was honored by the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Diann K. Marsalek by the Advocates Society.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Fredrick H. Bates by the Chicago Bar Association.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Abbey Fishman Romanek by the Decalogue Society of Lawyers.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Koula A. Fournier by the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie by the Justinian Society of Lawyers.
  • Cook County Circuit Judge Lucy Vazquez-Gonzalez by the Puerto Rican Bar Association.
  • Former Cook County Circuit Judge Patrice M. Ball-Reed by the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.
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• Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford and First District Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes will be honored on May 14, 2026, by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) as recipients of the Civics Education Award at the ISBA's annual Member Appreciation and Recognition Reception in DuPage County. Also honored at this event will be Administrative Law Judge Jennifer S. Nolen, who will be the recipient of the Elmer Gertz Human Rights Award, and Judicial Marshal Megan Brooks, who will be the recipient of the Law Enforcement Award.

Have you recently received an award? Please let us know at [email protected]