Rochford wins appellate Dem primary

With 92 percent of suburban Cook County and Chicago precincts reporting, Mary Katherine Rochford appeared to have a commanding lead over fellow Democrats Anthony Lynn Burrell, William D. O'Neal, Sebastian T. Patti and Kevin Rogers in the Democratic primary for the Illinois Appellate Court's First District.

Rochford had 39 percent of the vote, with 163,240 votes. O'Neal, her next closest competitor, had 20 percent, with 85,332 votes. Patti had 67,306 votes for 16 percent, Kevin Rogers 57,167 for 14 percent and Burrell 45,448 votes for 11 percent.

A trial judge since 1991, Rochford served as chief assistant corporation counsel in the Appeals Division under Mayor Harold Washington. The appellate term runs 10 years. All election results are unofficial.