Illinois' 14th Judicial Circuit Court recently issued the following announcement.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride is seeking public comment on six attorneys who have applied to fill a resident Circuit Court vacancy in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.
The vacancy was created upon Circuit Judge Lori R. Lefstein’s retirement, effective January 30, 2019. Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Kilbride uses an extensive application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the full Court for judicial vacancies in the Third Judicial District.
The six attorneys who have applied to fill the vacancy are David W. Andich of Rock Island, John F. Doak of Rock Island, Joseph F. Fackel of Rock Island, Maritia M. Griffith of Moline, John L. McGehee of Moline, and Katherine Varlas Teel of Rock Island.
The process will now proceed to background checks by law enforcement authorities and with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Justice Kilbride will also use a poll of all attorneys residing in the Fourteenth Circuit conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association. The attorneys will be surveyed on their opinions of the applicants’ integrity, temperament, legal ability, management skills and other professional qualifications.
Justice Kilbride will appoint a judicial screening committee made up of representatives from the community, including members of the legal profession and non-lawyers, to evaluate all of the information. The names of the committee members will be announced at a later date.
Those wishing to send written comments about the applicants may address them to: Judge Appointment Comments, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, IL 62704. Comments must arrive by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, include contact information, such as name and address, and be brief, preferably no more than 250 words.
Among qualities an applicant must possess are a demonstrated reputation for integrity and good character; a demonstrated commitment to equal justice under the law; outstanding legal ability and competence; and the appropriate demeanor, character, and personality necessary for the judicial temperament required by a Circuit Court judge.
The person appointed to fill the vacancy must be a resident of Rock Island County
Original source can be found here.
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