Undeterred by Cook County Democrats’ decision to back appointed incumbent Justice Joy Cunningham in next year’s primary for a full term on the Illinois Supreme Court, some Latino leaders are forging ahead with an effort to elect a member of their community to the state’s highest bench.

       County Democratic Party leaders voted overwhelmingly last month to endorse Cunningham, who is Black, in the race over Appellate Judge Jesse Reyes, whom party leaders passed over in slating four years ago in favor of another appointed incumbent, Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., who also is Black.

       Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham, who was appointed last year, is running for a full term next year. She's seen on Sept. 7, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)