Judge Michael Cabonargi is an experienced and trusted public servant who has earned broad support from Chicago’s legal community. He has been evaluated by multiple bar associations and received consistently positive ratings. The Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association both rated him as Qualified, while the Chicago Council of Lawyers rated him Well Qualified. He is also Recommended by the Cook County Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Hellenic Bar Association, and LAGBAC, Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association — a reflection of his commitment to fairness, professionalism, and equal justice for all.

Current and Recent Leadership Roles:

On June 13, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Michael as an At-Large Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.  

Michael has been evaluated by the bar associations and found uniformly favorable. The Chicago Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association found him Qualified. The Chicago Council of Lawyers found him to be Well Qualified. The Cook County Bar Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association, Hellenic Bar Association, and LAGBAC (Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association) all found him to be Recommended.

In particular, the CBA stated: “Michael Cabonargi … has a broad range of high-level legal experience … and is well respected for his legal knowledge, his calm and professional demeanor and his integrity.”  

Further, the Chicago Council of Lawyers stated: “Mr. Cabonargi received ‘glowing’ recommendations from all who were asked about his qualifications. He is reported to be a ‘stellar person’ with a ‘wide range of legal experience’ who is extremely smart and highly ethical, among other high praise he received across the board. He has a vast amount of quasi-judicial experience based on his work as Commissioner and Chair of the Cook County Board of Review and member of the ARDC Hearing Board and received praise for being fair with everyone, listening to people and attempting to resolve their disputes, and always explaining reasons for his rulings. Everyone interviewed said he is highly qualified to serve as judge.”

Prior to this appointment, Michael served as Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee (January 2025-June 2025), where he provided strategic advice on critical policy areas and prepared comprehensive briefing materials for nomination hearings for Department Of Justice leadership, judicial and U.S. Attorney nominees.  

Before his Senate role, Michael was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden as the Regional Director for the Great Lakes Region (Region V) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (January 2023-January 2025). In this capacity, he led a diverse team across six states and 34 sovereign tribes, overseeing critical health and human services programs. His tenure was marked by cultivating strong relationships with private health systems and state, local, and tribal governments, providing strategic advice on policy decisions, and playing a pivotal role in coordinating federal responses during public health emergencies. 

Extensive Public Service and Legal Expertise:

From February 2011 to December 2022, Michael served as Chair and Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, leading the nation’s largest quasi-judicial appeals forum for property tax appeals. He managed a $13.5 million annual budget and a staff of 142, implementing the first Ethics Policy and hiring the Board’s first Ethics Officer. He spearheaded the development of the Digital Appeals Processing System (DAPS), recognized with a national award for its innovation and efficiency. Michael also prioritized diversity in hiring and promotion, created a robust community outreach program that reached over 1.5 million residents, and ensured accessibility by translating appeal forms into multiple languages.

Prior to his leadership in Cook County, Michael served as a Senior Attorney in the Division of Enforcement at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (March 2005-February 2011), where he investigated and prosecuted complex cases of insider trading, offering fraud, and Ponzi schemes. He received the Chairman’s Award for combating financial fraud targeting seniors and the Director’s Award for his leadership in one of the SEC’s largest investigations.

Michael’s foundational legal experience includes practicing complex commercial and regulatory litigation at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC (January 2004-March 2005) and Gardner Carton and Douglas LLP (August 2002-January 2004). He also served as a Law Clerk to Hon. William J. Hibbler, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (August 2000-August 2002), where he assisted in reviewing civil and criminal matters and led the creation of the District’s first pro se help desk, earning an Award for Excellence in Public Interest Service.

Early Career and Education:

Michael’s commitment to public service began early, serving as a Senior Aide to U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin (January 1997-August 1997) and to U.S. Senator Paul Simon (June 1993-January 1997).

He earned his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law in May 2000, and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Foreign Affairs from Miami University (May 1993). 

Community and Political Leadership:

Michael is deeply committed to community and political engagement. His leadership within the Democratic Party includes serving as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois (2021-2022) and as the Illinois Democratic State Central Committeeman for the Ninth Congressional District (2018-2023). Michael was also a Leadership Circle Member of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (2016 – 2023) and received the IDCCA Party Builder Award in 2020. In 2020, he served as an Elector from Illinois for the United States Electoral College and was the slated candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Pakistani Physicians Society President’s Award (2024), Indian American Medical Association of Illinois President’s Award (2024), Justinian Society of Lawyers of Chicago Outstanding Achievement Award (2018), and United Hellenic Voters of America Legislator of the Year (2019). He is also a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow (2012).

Michael is deeply committed to community service, currently serving on the Boards of Directors for the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, North Suburban Bar Association, Loyola Academy Bar Association, and the Milan Committee of Chicago’s Sister Cities Program. His prior board service includes significant roles on transition committees for the Illinois Governor-Elect and Secretary of State-Elect, and the Federal Executive Board of Chicago and the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission Review Board.