Only nine minority judges sit in state courtrooms outside Cook County. The only circuit judge from a minority group is a black man from East St. Louis.
Women fare slightly better.
Outside of Cook County, they have three appellate seats, a dozen circuit judgeships and 33 associate slots. Most preside in Downstate courtrooms rather than the collar counties. Bellows and others say diversity in the courts would bring new perspectives to legal issues for minorities and women who may feel ignored by the justice system. Members of groups that feel ignored may also dismiss the system, critics say. Bellows blamed the lack of minority and women judges on the seven Illinois Supreme Court justices, who appoint circuit and appellate judges when seats become vacant in between elections.