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Cook County Judge Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

IL · On-site

Tier 2 Explanation of Benefits - Tier 2 Benefits | Cook County Pension Fund. 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, Illinois

IL · On-site

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COURT REPORTING SERVICES Job Title : OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER 2 Union: IBEW, LOCAL 134 Salary : $76,336.16 Location: COOK COUNTY ...

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

IL · On-site

$67.31K/yr

THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 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 ...

Circuit Court of Cook County

Probation Officer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$67.31K/yr

Operating under the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Adult Probation Department administers a wide range of programs covering both standard and specialized probation ...

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How much do cook county judge jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 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 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 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 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, and 86% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $33,340 per year, or $16 per hour.

OCJ - Certified Session Interpreter

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

On-site

Part-time

Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:                          SESSION/PER DIEM COURT INTERPRETER
H O URL Y RA T E:            Certified $46.357/hour; Uncertified $37.827/hour
UNI O N:                        Chicago News Guild
H O URS:                              Sessions assigned as needed
L O CAT I O N:                All Circuit Court of Cook County Locations
LANGUAGES:                     SPANISH, POLISH, UKRAINIAN, RUSSIAN, ARABIC
JOB SUMMARY AND DUTIES:
Under the general direction of the Director, the session court interpreter reports directly to the Supervisor of Interpreter Services.  The session court interpreter:
  • Interprets proceedings, hearings, interviews and other court-related communicative events held by judges and employees of related court services agencies.
  • Sight interprets specified foreign language or English documents as required during a proceeding, hearing, interview or other court-related communicative event.
  • Translates from English into a specified foreign language, official forms, letters, documents, public signs, notices, posters, form letters, job applications, correspondence and other court-related documents.
  • Maintains accurate and contemporaneous records of interpreting and translating activities, including ongoing case next date and disposition information.
  • Such other duties as may be assigned.
The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
Job Requirements:
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
  • Knowledge of English and appropriate foreign language phonology, vocabulary, grammar and dialectology.
  • Knowledge of English and specified foreign language legal terminology.
  • Knowledge of theory, method, techniques, ethics and standards of interpreting and translating.
  • Knowledge of the methods, techniques and procedures used in interpreting in the simultaneous and consecutive modes.
  • Familiarity with the court system and related agencies.
  • Ability to interpret in consecutive and simultaneous modes for proceedings, hearings, interviews and other court-related communicative events.
  • Ability to translate forms, letters and other court-related documents from English to specified foreign language and from specified foreign language to English.
  • Ability to sight interpret specified foreign language or English documents during a proceeding, hearing interview and other court-related communicative events.
  • Ability to maintain clear, concise, accurate, and informative records and reports.
  • Availability for session work at and ability to travel to various locations throughout Cook County, as assigned.
 Minimum Qualifications:
  • For the certified hourly rate: Certification by the Illinois Supreme Court or the certifying body of a sister state recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court, as a foreign language court interpreter.
  • Strong commitment to Access to Justice for all, particularly court users with limited English proficiency.
  • Understanding of and demonstrated adherence to the Interpreters’ Code of Conduct.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with diverse coworkers and court users.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English and spoken and written second language.
  • Two years of experience as a court interpreter preferred.
  • High school diploma or CED certificate; college degree preferred.
  • Ability and willingness to travel to all Circuit Court of Cook County courthouses and court annexed locations; access to personal transportation required.
  • Proficiency in the use of a smart phone, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and internet browser.
 Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an interpreter to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
  • speak and hear
  • stand, walk, sit, and use hands and feet.
  • communicate clearly on the telephone and with the public and other staff.
  • use a telephone, keyboard, and video display terminal.
  • lift and/or move objects up to 15 pounds such as files, stacks of papers, reference materials.
  • intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies
  • perform simple grasping and fine manipulation

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. 
BENEFITS:  Session interpreters hired after January 1, 2011  are in the Tier 2 Plan with the Cook County Pension Fund:  Tier 2 Explanation of Benefits - Tier 2 Benefits | Cook County Pension Fund.
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.
Revised: January 2026
 

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