Sonni Choi Williams
Democratic · IL · Will County Circuit Judge, Twelfth Judicial Circuit
Sonni Choi Williams has been a Will County circuit judge since the Illinois Supreme Court appointed her in 2025. She spent over 25 years in municipal law as Lockport city attorney and a Peoria city attorney, and was president of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Was appointed a Will County circuit judge by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the seat Judge John C. Anderson left when he was elected to the appellate court.
January 28, 2025
Source: illinoiscourts.gov
Was installed as the 148th president of the Illinois State Bar Association, the first woman lawyer of color to lead the group.
May 29, 2024
Source: isba.org
Was hired as Lockport's city attorney when the City Council approved the mayor's appointment. Before that, she was an in-house lawyer for the city of Peoria.
June 8, 2017
Source: shawlocal.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
Was rated Recommended for the 3rd Subcircuit (Anderson vacancy) seat in the 2026 Illinois State Bar Association and Will County Bar Association lawyer poll. Of 171 responding lawyers, about 77 percent said she meets the requirements for the office.
October 8, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: isba.org
Past race Sonni Choi Williams ran in:
- Judge of the Circuit Court, 12th Judicial Circuit, 3rd Subcircuit (To fill the vacancy of the Hon. John C. Anderson) · November 3, 2026 · Will County, Illinois · incumbent