The Ballot Brief
Illinois
Candidate profile

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Jessica Karina Velez

Jessica Karina Velez

Democratic · Illinois · 2026

On the November 3 ballot for Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza, Illinois

Was Jessica Karina Velez elected? The official answer comes December 4.

Illinois makes results final in three steps.
✓
Done · Nov 3
Votes were cast and counted
Election night totals are a first count, not the final one.
2
Happening now · by Nov 24
Counties double-check their counts
The county reviews mail ballots, provisional ballots and any recount, then sends official totals to the state.
3
Next · Dec 4
Illinois makes it official
The State Board of Elections certifies the result. The winner appears on this page that day.

What local news is reporting

Not official yetUpdated November 5, 2026

This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call races. Official running count: Illinois official results.

Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. Mendoza
No report found yet

Reports are checked daily until Illinois certifies on December 4; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.

Biography

Jessica Karina Velez is a first-generation Ecuadorian American who was born and raised in Chicago, per her campaign site. She has over a decade of legal experience across the private and public sectors and has been involved in pro bono service and bar-association volunteer work, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

On the ballot

Circuit Court, Cook County, 16th Subcircuit, Vacancy of Hon. MendozaIllinois · 2026Cook County sample ballot

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
How we source this

Profile facts follow official election office filings and the sources cited in each biography. Roster last verified October 15, 2026. Official sources are the final word on who appears on your ballot.

Verify with the official filingSee everything that was on your ballotIllinois 2026 ballotThe Ballot Brief home