Judge Linda Sackey has become the first Ghanaian American to serve as a circuit court judge in Illinois.
She was appointed to the bench on 24 January 2025 and is set to run in the March 17 primary election.
A lifelong Chicagoan, Judge Sackey has built a legal career spanning nearly two decades, marked by public service and community involvement.
She is a graduate of Lane Tech High School and went on to study at Princeton University, earning a degree in Sociology and a certificate in African American Studies. She later received her Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School.
Judge Sackey began her legal career as a federal judicial law clerk before joining the international law firm Mayer Brown as an associate. She later served as an Illinois Assistant Attorney General, where she handled complex litigation, filed briefs, and argued cases before the Illinois Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and Illinois appellate courts.
She subsequently served as clerk to Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis of the Illinois Supreme Court, contributing to the drafting of opinions in significant civil and criminal cases.
Her appointment as an at-large circuit judge was confirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court on 11 December 2024. In her current role, she presides in the Traffic Division, overseeing misdemeanor and petty traffic cases, and also officiates wedding and civil union ceremonies.
Judge Sackey is active in the legal and civic community. She is a member of the Cook County Bar Association, where she has received presidential awards for service, as well as the Appellate Lawyers’ Association, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.
Outside the legal profession, she is involved with Progressive Baptist Church and the Princeton Club of Chicago.
She is widely regarded for her commitment to justice and her ability to present complex legal issues clearly. Outside the courtroom, she enjoys supporting the Chicago Bears, participating in Zumba, and exploring new cuisines. Judge Sackey lives in Chicago with her husband, Nathan, and their two children.
