Meet Your Judges

Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell

ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT 3RD DISTRICT

Judge Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell currently serves as the Presiding Judge of the Felony Division in DuPage County, overseeing six felony courtrooms, the first appearance courtroom, and drug court. Since being elected to the bench in 2020, she has built a reputation for thoughtful leadership, fairness, and a deep commitment to justice.

  • Before becoming a judge, Peggy O’Connell had a distinguished legal career in both public service and private practice. She served as a DuPage County State’s Attorney and as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, where she co-authored an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court and served as the Attorney General’s delegate on issues involving abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of seniors and persons with disabilities. In private practice, she handled family law, criminal defense, juvenile matters, and served as a court-certified Guardian ad Litem in numerous counties.

    Judge O’Connell also made history in 2020 as the first woman and the first Democrat elected directly from private practice to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in DuPage County. She was recently appointed as an alternate member of the Illinois Courts Commission and is currently the Democratic nominee for the Third District Appellate Court of Illinois.

    Peggy is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of every person, including the fundamental right of women to reproductive healthcare. Her legal brilliance, personal and professional integrity, and deep commitment to justice make her exceptionally well qualified to serve on the Appellate Court of Illinois.

Melissa Olivero

ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT 13TH CIRCUIT

Melissa Olivero is fair, experienced, and connected to our community, running to serve as your next Circuit Judge. With 29 combined years of judicial and attorney experience, she understands how the court system touches everyday lives. She has experience in criminal law, civil law, administrative law, and municipal law, including appeals before state and federal courts.

  • Melissa Olivero’s life exemplifies a commitment to service. She is a U.S. Army veteran, serving eight years as a Military Police officer, platoon leader, company commander, and battalion staff officer on active duty and in the reserves. Her service took her to Germany during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and later to Fort Lewis Washington.

    Most recently, she has served as a federal administrative law judge (ALJ) for the National Labor Relations Board, traveling across the United States hearing complex unfair labor practice cases and deciding questions concerning union representation. Previously, she served as an ALJ for Social Security. She is a former LaSalle County Assistant State’s Attorney.

    As Circuit Judge, Melissa will rule with fairness, impartiality, integrity, and commitment to the rule of law. Melissa believes that judges work for the people and promises to diligently apply herself to the challenges of the position. She has a reputation for skillfully handling complex litigation, striking an appropriate balance between legal analysis and fairness-based considerations.

    Her respectful demeanor and professional conduct have earned the trust of lawyers, litigants, law enforcement officers, and court staff.