Fitzgerald is a senior counsel for Walgreens, where he has worked for 13 years; his duties include ensuring the company complies with health care law and dealing with litigation on regulatory issues nationwide. Previously, he was chief legal counsel for the Office of the Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services, prosecuting Medicaid providers for fraud and abuse. He spent six years as an assistant Illinois attorney general. He won a contested Republican primary in March.

Bar Association ratings: Mixed

The CBA found Fitzgerald not recommended, writing, “While Mr. Fitzgerald has had a broad range of experience, his court and trial experience is limited.” The ISBA found Fitzgerald qualified, however. The CCL also found him qualified, writing, “He has handled complex litigation on his own and as a supervisor of outside counsel.” Fitzgerald did not respond to requests for comment on his ratings.

Notable: Fitzgerald is endorsed by a handful of suburban Republican Party groups.

Survey response: Responding to an Injustice Watch questionnaire, Fitzgerald said that the backlog of cases is one of the most pressing issues facing the Cook County courts, and promised to the "hardest working judge in the county." (Full survey)