V
oters in Cook County ousted Judge Shannon O'Malley from office on November 5, following investigations into whether he met the requirement of residing in the county. Despite serving in the child protection division, O'Malley failed to secure the necessary 60% "yes" votes, receiving only 57.9%. This marks the third judicial ousting in six years, a rare occurrence after nearly three decades of stability.

    O'Malley's removal was sparked by concerns over his management of child protection cases, where delays led to children staying longer than needed in psychiatric hospitals or group homes. The Illinois State Bar Association criticized these delays as unacceptable and harmful to vulnerable children. Additionally, O'Malley claimed a property tax exemption on a home in Will County, suggesting his primary residence is not in Cook County.

    The Chicago Bar Association questioned O'Malley's credibility, and the scrutiny surrounding him highlights a shift in how voters approach judicial retention races. Historically, these elections have seen low voter participation, with judges easily retaining their positions. However, the rise of voter guides has provided voters with detailed information about judicial candidates' records and performance.

    Public policy analyst Albert Klumpp attributed O'Malley's removal to the increased availability of information and the alignment of bar associations against him. Two other Cook County judges, E. Kenneth Wright Jr. and Ieshia Gray, narrowly retained their seats despite facing similar scrutiny.