DuPage County Circuit Judge Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell is asking voters to retain her on the 18th Judicial Circuit bench in the November 3, 2026, general election.
The official DuPage County sample ballot lists this as a yes-or-no question. O’Connell has no opponent in the retention vote.
Her name also appears in a separate, contested election for the 3rd District Appellate Court against Republican Jason A. Helland. That election and this retention question are two distinct votes.
Experience and approach
On her campaign qualifications page, O’Connell says she was elected to the DuPage circuit court in 2020 and serves as presiding judge of the Felony Division.
She describes experience in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, private practice, criminal defense and family law. She also lists guardian ad litem work and service as an alternate Illinois Courts Commission member. Her campaign presents that range of experience as preparation for judicial work.
Attorney assessment
The joint ISBA–DuPage County Bar Association advisory poll rates O’Connell Recommended for retention. That poll reflects participating lawyers’ opinions, not a partisan endorsement.
No submitted Surround Sound Media questionnaire response is recorded for O’Connell.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
