Cook County's circuit judges retain incumbent chief judge

CHICAGO (AP) - Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans was re-elected to a sixth term, overcoming a challenge from two colleagues, including one who dropped out shortly before the vote.

Most of the county's 241 circuit judges voted Thursday during a closed session at the Daley Center. The tally was 120 to 103 in favor of the 73-year-old Evans over 64-year-old Judge Thomas Allen. Some of the judges eligible to vote didn't.

A third candidate, Judge Sandra Ramos, pulled out of the race shortly before the vote, saying the election had become overly political.

The contest had drawn claims from one Chicago alderman that the Democratic Party leadership had thrown their support behind Allen.

The allegation prompted County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's office to deny she was behind the effort to oust Evans.