[2] Elections were held for Clerk of the Circuit Court, Recorder of Deeds, State's Attorney, three seats on the Water Reclamation District Board, and judgeships on the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Jack O'Malley Republican Richard A. Devine Democratic In the 1996 Cook County State's Attorney election, incumbent state's attorney Jack O'Malley, a Republican first elected in a special election in 1990 and subsequently reelected in 1992, was defeated by Democrat Richard A. Devine.

Few had seen Devine as having much prospect of unseating O'Malley, a popular incumbent who was regarded as a rising political star.

[1] Pasrtisan elections were held for judgeships on the Circuit Court of Cook County due to vacancies.

[1] Partisan elections were also held for subcircuit courts judgeships due to vacancies.