---
title: "John J. Mahoney | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-j-mahoney"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John J. Mahoney

Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County
- State: Illinois
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-23

## Summary

John J. Mahoney is a Cook County circuit judge assigned to the Fifth Municipal District in Courtroom 205L at the Bridgeview Courthouse, 10220 S. 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455.

## Published biography and professional background

John J. Mahoney is a current Circuit Court of Cook County judge assigned to the Fifth Municipal District at the Bridgeview Courthouse, Courtroom 205L; the court lists (708) 974-6289.
Mahoney won election on November 4, 2014 to fill the Billik vacancy in Cook County’s Fourth Judicial Subcircuit. He subsequently won retention in the November 2020 election and continues to serve on the Cook County circuit court.
Before joining the bench, Mahoney worked as an attorney for Peoples Energy Corporation and as an assistant state’s attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. A 2014 Chicago Council of Lawyers evaluation described his experience handling complex litigation, appellate matters and financial-crime prosecutions.
John J. Mahoney earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University in 1981 and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1984. He was admitted to practice law in Illinois in December 1984.
- Court: Circuit Court of Cook County
- Current assignment: Fifth Municipal District, Bridgeview
- Courtroom: 205L
- Courthouse: Bridgeview Courthouse
- Address: 10220 South 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455
- Courtroom phone: (708) 974-6289
- Elected: November 4, 2014
- Election seat: Fourth Subcircuit, Billik vacancy
- Retained: November 3, 2020
- Previous legal work: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Peoples Energy Corporation
- Education: DePaul University, B.A. in political science, 1981; Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 1984
- Illinois bar admission: December 1984
The Chicago Council of Lawyers rated Mahoney “Well Qualified” in its 2014 evaluation of him as a judicial candidate. That rating represents the Council’s opinion, not a factual finding by KnowJudges.
In 2020, bar organizations issued differing retention recommendations. The Alliance of Bar Associations summary recorded affirmative and negative recommendations from its participating organizations. Mahoney ultimately received enough affirmative votes to be retained. These evaluations are the opinions of their issuing organizations.

## Verified case records involving Judge Mahoney


## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved.

Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official record

Scope: statewide

The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services.

Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court.

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote appearances

Scope: statewide

Circuit court participants may appear remotely without advance approval in covered proceedings; evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the presiding judge's approval, subject to the rule's case-specific safeguards.

Evidence excerpt: Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court's available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote appearance policy

Scope: statewide

Illinois circuit courts must implement Rule 45 through published local procedures and accessible remote technology; Rule 45 and controlling case orders determine whether approval is required.

Evidence excerpt: Supreme Court Rule 45 authorizes and fosters the use of remote appearances in circuit courts with a goal of achieving uniformity in remote appearance practices throughout the state.

[Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### extended media coverage

Scope: statewide

Illinois circuit courts accept extended-media requests for public proceedings, normally at least seven days in advance, but the presiding judge may deny, limit, or terminate coverage and protected proceedings remain restricted.

Evidence excerpt: all Illinois judicial circuit courts shall allow requests for extended media coverage of public court proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this policy

[Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/mahoney-john-j)
- [Official roster](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/mahoney-john-j)
- [Judge John J. Mahoney](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/mahoney-john-j)
- [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/366/John-J-Mahoney/justice/)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf)
- [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf)
- [Mahoney, John J. | Circuit Court of Cook County](https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/judge/mahoney-john-j)
- [Mahoney, John Christopher](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/mahoney-john-christopher)
- [Official biography source for John J. Mahoney](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/366/John-J-Mahoney/justice/)

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## Upcoming changes

John J. Mahoney: scheduled service end at Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County.

scheduled service end: 2026-12-06

Status: announced

[Source 1](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/additional-resources/judicial-vacancies/circuit-court-vacancies/)

## Biography

### Professional career

- Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, elected November 4, 2014; retained November 3, 2020
- Assistant state's attorney, Cook County State's Attorney's Office

### Education

- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology — J.D. (1984)
- in political science — DePaul University — B.A. (1981)

### Additional information

- Attorney, Peoples Energy Corporation