149 Associate Judges Seek Retention

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced that 149 associate judges have filed requests for reappointment when their terms expire June 30, 2007, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 39 (a).

Associate judges seeking retention were required to file requests for reappointment with Chief Judge Evans between January 1, 2007, and April 2, 2007. The Supreme Court later extended the request for reappointment deadline to April 30, 2007, to allow 31 associate judges to file their requests for reappointment following their oath of office on April 11, 2007.

Two associate judges did not seek reappointment due to compulsory retirement provisions of 705 ILCS 55/1. Of those two, one was recalled for service for a term ending December 6, 2009.

Circuit judges will vote by secret ballot for the reappointment of the associate judges seeking retention. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts will distribute ballots on approximately May 21, 2007, in accordance with Rule 39(a). Completed ballots must be delivered to the AOIC within 14 days of the date of distribution. The AOIC director will tabulate the votes and certify the results to Chief Judge Evans. Reappointment requires a favorable vote of three-fifths of the circuit judges voting on the matter. The new four-year term for associate judges begins on July 1, 2007.

The associate judges seeking retention will be evaluated by the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee. Associate judges who have been evaluated within the last two years for any judicial office will not be re-evaluated.

Chief Judge Evans said the Circuit Court of Cook County Executive Committee will accept written comments concerning any associate judge seeking retention. Letters should be sent to the Executive Committee, c/o Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, 2600 Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

The associate judges seeking retention are as follows:

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