Pratt announces election bid for circuit judge

QUINCY — Judge Christopher Pratt has officially launched his campaign to be elected as At-Large Circuit Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit for the March 2026 Republican Primary and November 2026 General Election.

Pratt was appointed to the position by the Illinois Supreme Court in June 2024 after being unanimously recommended by a local selection committee and selected by Justice Lisa Holder White
from a field of eight candidates which included private attorneys and state and federal prosecutors.

In a news release, Pratt said he has long worked to be of service to his fellow citizens, whether through his current judicial work or prior terms as the president of the Quincy Museum and Quincy Public Library Boards. Pratt has also dedicated himself to education, both locally and beyond, volunteering at the Early Childhood and Family Center in Quincy, serving as an Adjunct Professor at Quincy University for over a decade, and volunteering as a judge for both collegiate and high school mock trial competitions throughout the Midwest.

Pratt is one of six children from a working-class family. Before finishing his education, he spent nearly two decades working in restaurants. He said has applied that experience in the service industry during his entire legal and judicial career and treats everyone who appears in his courtroom with courtesy and respect and works to provide logical, reasoned, and just outcomes in his cases.

Pratt said he makes it a priority to ensure everyone who leaves his courtroom understands his decision and his rationale and feels they have received a fair hearing, even if they do not prevail.

Judge Pratt currently presides over family court matters in Adams County but serves the entire Eighth
Circuit, including the counties of Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, Menard, Pike, and Schuyler. He
has overseen various court matters throughout the Circuit, including presiding over jury trials in Pike
County earlier this year.

Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Pratt worked various positions in the Adams County Public
Defender’s office, including Chief Public Defender. Before that, he was in private practice at
Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell in Quincy. Judge Pratt is a lifelong Quincy and Adams
County resident and has spent his entire legal career working in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Pratt has received multiple endorsements upon his announcement.

“Judge Chris Pratt is a person of intelligence, exemplary legal knowledge and integrity. His personal
story has imbued him with a down-to-earth demeanor and common sense. He exhibits open-mindedness, curiosity, patience and humility; qualities which are essential to the exercise of sound judicial discretion and wisdom. I unequivocally endorse the Honorable Chris Pratt for Circuit Judge of the Eighth Judicial District.” — Former Illinois Eighth Circuit Judge Thomas Ortbal (retired.)

“During my time on the bench, I found Chris Pratt to be a determined and effective litigator with an
excellent knowledge and understanding of both the law and court procedures. His varied experience in
both civil law as a private attorney and criminal law as a public defender make him uniquely qualified for
his position as circuit judge.” — Former Illinois Eighth Circuit Judge Scott Butler (Retired.)

“Whenever Chris Pratt appeared in my courtroom, whether as a private attorney or public defender, he
was prepared, effective, and persuasive. He demonstrated clear legal ability and fought for his clients
while treating everyone with respect. These are necessary experience and qualifications to serve as a
judge. Ultimately, however, the key quality that is essential for success on the bench is having the proper
temperament. This is a quality which cannot be taught or learned and no judge is successful without it.
Judge Pratt possesses the appropriate judicial temperament that will ensure his success and for that
reason, I am happy to endorse him as Eighth Circuit Judge.” — Former Eighth Circuit Chief Judge Diane Lagoski (Retired.)

“We are fortunate to have a judge who not only applies the law with skill and impartiality, but who also
lives in and is invested in the community he serves. Judge Pratt brings both professional excellence and
personal commitment to his role, and I am proud to offer my support for his continued service.” — Attorney Andrew “Drew” Schnack III