Peoria City Council member Mike Vespa will trade city hall for a county courtroom after securing a seat on the bench in Tuesday’s election.
Running as a Democrat, Vespa earned more than 52% of the vote with all precincts reporting in his race against Republican incumbent Tim Cusack for the Peoria County Court resident judgeship in the 10th Judicial Circuit.
“I just want to thank all of my friends, family and supporters,” Vespa told WCBU. “I can’t wait to continue my career in public service from the bench.”
Vespa is a former public defender who is currently working with the Hanauer Law Office. He was elected to the Peoria City Council as an at-large member in 2023.
Cusack had served on the bench since 2013 and was appointed as a circuit judge after the retirement of John Vespa, Mike Vespa’s uncle, in 2024.
