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How much do cook county judge jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook county judge in the United States is $16.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Cook County Judges?

Cook County Judges are elected or appointed officials who preside over cases within the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. They are responsible for ensuring fair and impartial proceedings in both civil and criminal matters, interpreting and applying the law, and rendering decisions or verdicts. These judges handle a wide variety of cases, including family, probate, traffic, and felony cases. The Circuit Court of Cook County is one of the largest unified court systems in the world, and its judges play a crucial role in maintaining the administration of justice within the county.

What is the difference between Cook County Judge vs Cook County Prosecutor?

AspectCook County JudgeCook County Prosecutor
Required CredentialsLegal degree, Illinois Bar admission, judicial appointment or electionLegal degree, Illinois Bar admission, elected or appointed prosecutor
Work EnvironmentCourts, courtroom proceedings, judicial chambersProsecutor's office, courtrooms, legal investigations
Employer & IndustryGovernment, judiciaryGovernment, law enforcement, prosecution

Cook County Judges preside over court cases, ensuring justice is served in legal disputes, while Cook County Prosecutors handle criminal cases, representing the state. Both roles require legal credentials and operate within the judicial system, but judges focus on adjudication, whereas prosecutors focus on prosecution of crimes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cook County Judge, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cook County Judge, you generally need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Illinois Bar, and extensive experience practicing law. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and court procedures is essential. Strong ethics, impartiality, critical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills that distinguish successful judges. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure fair, efficient, and just legal proceedings in the Cook County judicial system.

What are some of the unique challenges a Cook County Judge may face in managing their courtroom and caseload?

Cook County Judges often handle a high volume of cases, which requires effective time management and organizational skills to ensure timely proceedings. They must balance impartiality with empathy, often making difficult decisions that impact individuals and communities. Judges also work closely with clerks, attorneys, and law enforcement, necessitating strong communication and collaboration skills. Additionally, staying updated on changes in state laws and legal precedents is essential for fair and accurate rulings.
What cities are hiring for Cook County Judge jobs? Cities with the most Cook County Judge job openings:
What states have the most Cook County Judge jobs? States with the most job openings for Cook County Judge jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cook County Judge jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cook County Judge jobs are:
Cook County Judge jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cook County Judge job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 40% Part Time, and 10% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,340 per year, or $16 per hour.

JPD - Forensic Psychologist, Cook County Juvenile Court

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY
JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST, COOK COUNTY JUVENILE COURT CLINIC
GRADE:  22
UNION:  TEAMSTERS LOCAL 743
SALARY: $111,318
LOCATION: 1100 SOUTH HAMILTON, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
 Employer Profile:The Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic was established in June 2003 as a non-judicial office in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Clinic is operated through a partnership between the Circuit Court of Cook County and Northwestern University and is the primary provider of forensic consultation and evaluation services for Cook County’s Juvenile Court, which encompasses the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Divisions.
The Clinic resides within the Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department and is located in the Cook County Juvenile Center, which contains the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection courtrooms, the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), and other entities affiliated with the Juvenile Court. This location permits the Clinic to be well-integrated with and responsive to the needs of the Juvenile Court, its constituents, and court-affiliated entities.
Director: Philip C. O’Donnell, M.J., Ph.D.
Associate Director: Krissie Fernandez Smith, Ph.D., ABPP
 Job Summary:The Forensic Psychologist conducts court-ordered evaluations primarily for the Child Protection Division. These evaluations are focused on the parents of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are used to inform legal decisions about visitation, reunification, termination of parental rights, and case closure. Using a multisource, multimethod approach, the Forensic Psychologist assesses various issues that contribute to parents’ fitness and their risk of future child maltreatment, including but not limited to mental health, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, trauma, parenting beliefs and practices, child development and behavior, and social support. The Forensic Psychologist may also have opportunities to conduct evaluations of youth for the Juvenile Justice Division when needed.Essential Duties:
  1. Conduct forensic child protection evaluations to address pending legal questions such as visitation, change of permanency goal, termination of parental rights, return home, motion for case closure, and motion to vacate or transfer guardianship. Review relevant records; conduct multiple forensic interviews with evaluation subjects (generally parents or other caregivers who are parties to a child protection matter); interview children who are the subjects of a child protection petition; interview caseworkers and other relevant collateral sources (e.g., community therapists); administer and interpret psychological tests; and write comprehensive, well-supported reports that answer the Court’s questions and comport with forensic best practices.
  2. Provide on-call coverage (several times per month) for same-day evaluations of a parent’s capacity to consent to specific adoption and/or voluntarily relinquish parental rights. Review available records, conduct a brief clinical interview with the parent and prepare a brief report of findings.
  3. Conduct court ordered forensic evaluations for the Juvenile Justice Division of the Cook County Juvenile Court to address pending legal questions such as sentencing alternatives, fitness to stand trial, risk assessments, and capacity to waive Miranda rights. Review relevant records; conduct multiple forensic interviews with evaluation subjects (youth who are the subjects of juvenile court petitions); interview parents/guardians and relevant collateral sources; administer and interpret psychological tests; and write comprehensive, well-supported reports that answer the Court’s questions and comport with forensic best practices.
  4. Testify in court as an expert witness regarding forensic evaluations tendered to court.
  5. Participate in supervision and training initiatives, including but not limited to regular meetings with primary supervisor, monthly psychologist and staff meetings, and internal and external trainings related to child protection, juvenile justice and forensic evaluation.
  6. Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  1. Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information and opinions through written reports and oral testimony.
  2. Cultural competence, including an awareness of how experiences, beliefs and values of diverse individuals and groups affect clinical forensic interactions and practice.
  3. Knowledge of ethical and best practice standards for the practice of clinical and forensic psychology.
  4. Ability to work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary setting.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Successful completion of a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from an APA accredited program or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
  • Successful completion of an APPIC accredited pre-doctoral internship.
  • Current Illinois psychologist license (out of state applicants must be eligible for licensure in Illinois).
  • Clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
  • Experience working with court-involved populations in a clinical or forensic capacity.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Pre-doctoral training in forensic psychology and/or psychology and the law.
  • Completion of a forensic post-doctoral fellowship and/or two to three years post-doctoral experience conducting forensic evaluations, with preference given to those candidates with experience in child protection or juvenile justice settings.
  • Experience providing courtroom testimony pertaining to forensic evaluations.
  • Fluency in Spanish, sign language or other non-English languages.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
 
  • Work is performed primarily at the Cook County Juvenile Center, 2245 W. Ogden Ave, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60612.
  • Requires the ability to travel occasionally (two to three times monthly) to community locations and suburban courthouses as part of conducting evaluations.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed to meet operational needs
This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.  Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment. 
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.
 
Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page.
Please apply by filling out the application at our Career Page.
THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment.  No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
6/2/26
 

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