Swearing in of Circuit Judge Jonathan Wright fills Logan County Courtroom

 

[January 08, 2019] 

On Monday morning the third floor courtroom, at the Logan County Courthouse, one of the largest in the state, filled to about two-thirds capacity as friends, family, fellow judges, local attorneys, members of the Logan County Board and members of the Lincoln City Council and Logan County law enforcement agencies came to witness the swearing in of Jonathan Wright to the position of Resident Circuit Judge.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman presided over the ceremony and took her seat behind the bench. She opened by acknowledging the justices and judges who were sitting in the juror box as well as other attorneys who were in the audience.

Garman welcomed all guests and said that she hoped that everyone felt welcome and that this was a joyous occasion to be celebrated.

She then introduced 11th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Mark Fellheimer.

Fellheimer noted that Wright is being appointed to fill the position of Resident Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit. Wright will be taking on the balance of the term left vacant by Judge Thomas Harris. Harris accepted a higher judgeship mid-term. Because of this, Wright will fill in the balance of the term, and may choose to run for election in 2019. If he does, his first elected term as Circuit Judge would begin on January 7, 2020.

Fellheimer said that in the 11th circuit there has been a sizeable turnover, as five new judges have been appointed since 2018 with Wright being among those. He noted that the transition will be a challenge for all the new judges, but it is also rewarding. He noted that the new judges have access to the wisdom and experience of their fellow, more seasoned judges. Wright will also be expected to attend a judge school held for all new judges.

He said that during the selection process, it is important that there be no delay in judicial services. He acknowledged that in the absence of five judges, many sitting judges have stepped up and taken on more than usual in order to keep the judicial system in the 11th District running smoothly.

Fellheimer went on to say that the role of the judge is very important and something that is to be taken quite seriously. He noted that the ceremony to swear in Judge Wright served as a reminder that while the circuit will miss the judges who have moved on, including Judge Harris who is now in an Appellate position, it also serves as a testament that the circuit judicial system grows and thrives through the infusion of new judges.

When Fellheimer finished, Garman also spoke saying that the swearing in of new judges is one of the most gratifying duties that she gets to perform. She went on to thank all those who had applied for the judgeship and said that the community was blessed to have so many who were qualified to take this position. She thanked the committee that went through the selection process.

She said that she would address the new judge about his transition from lawyer to judge. She said there were many lists that touted the top ten qualities of a good judge. She narrowed the list down to her top five qualities to look for.

She said that first, the judge should have judicial temperament. She said of course a judge had to be qualified through education and experience to do the work, but not all lawyers have the ability to transition from a zealous advocate to neutral arbiter. This means a judge must exhibit compassion, decisiveness, open mindedness, sensitivity, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice.

Her second quality in the top five is to be a person of integrity with strong ethics and moral courage. Garman said that as a judge, she assesses integrity in her peers based on their civility and professionalism. She said she would urge Judge Wright to continue to practice civility and professionalism and to demand it from those who stand before him.

Garman said that third, the judge must be an effective communicator with no mystery or confusion about his rulings.

Fourth, comes a strong record of civic and professional involvement. She said a judge occupies a position of great respect within a community and that judges should be chosen who have a reputation of community involvement.

The fifth point the Chief Justice would make was that a new judge must have a commitment to continuing education. She spoke about how that Wright will be expected to study the law continually and always be current on new statutes and case law. She said he should also keep current on scientific and technological advances that may be the subject of litigation in the future.

As she began her closing comments, Garman noted that there is a golden rule of judging. She said that we all know the golden rule that we learn as children – do unto others as you would have done unto you. For a judge the rule should be “to become the judge that we always wanted to appear before.”

When Garman had finished she called Wright and Appellate Judge Thomas Harris to the front of the courtroom for the swearing-in ceremony.

Immediately following, Wright assisted by his wife Melanie put on his robe for the first time. He then addressed the audience.

Wright began by saying that he had not prepared a written statement for the day because he wanted his comments to be in the moment and from the heart. He said that in preparing he had given thought to the first time he would put on his robe. He noted that he remembered to take off his suit coat, and that he had chosen not to zip up his robe in order to avoid the zipper getting stuck, forcing him to go to the lectern lopsided.

He went on to talk about the wearing of the robe in general and said that it was an awesome responsibility that he would take very seriously. He noted that he was a new judge and that there was going to be much to learn. He said he was willing to learn, and had heard from several of his new peers that they would be willing to help and advise him. He joked that some of them might come to regret that offer.

He said he was making a commitment to his new title and that he understood that Justice Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court were putting a lot of trust in him, and that he would strive to not let them down. He said he would remember each time he put on the robe that he is a public servant and will respect that position as one who is in place to serve those who come before him.

Wright hesitated for a moment to gather himself as he remembered his father who is now deceased, saying that his father was a hard worker, and that as his father, he would work hard and do his best for the courts.

Wright spoke about his personal roles in life, his role as a husband, father, and also a son. He named his wife children, mother, and siblings who were in the room.

Wright also noted the presence of many young people who he has had the privileged of working with over the years in his role as a basketball coach at Hartsburg-Emden. He noted many former players, and also noted that the members of the current Hartsburg-Emden Seventh and Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Teams were all in the courtroom.

In the courtroom, the front two rows of seats were reserved for family. On the south side of the room those seats were occupied by Wright’s wife, children and other family members. On the north side of the room the front two rows had been reserved as a place of honor for the Hartem basketball boys. Wright said he had particularly made a point of inviting the team to the ceremony because they are very important to him and he wanted them to be a part of this important day in his life.

He concluded, “I appreciate the honor and privilege of being able to serve in this capacity. Everybody attending here today, I thank you all for coming. Above all, I look around this room and I am so blessed. I thank the Lord for all his goodness to me, He has been better to me than I deserve.”

After Wright finished, it was announced there would be a reception next door in the third floor jurors room. Before exiting the courtroom, Wright made an attempt to speak to many of those in attendance, shaking hands and accepting congratulations.

He went to the juror’s box and shook hands with several of the judges and justices as they exited the room and then took a moment to pose for a picture with his Hartem Basketball Team, fellow coach and school principal.

As a sidebar, Garman noted at the end of the day that January 7th marked 45 years on the bench for her and she extended to Wright a wish that he would serve at least equally as long.

[Nila Smith]

Crowds wait outside the thrid floor courtroom at the Logan County Courthouse.

Appellate Court Judge Thomas Harris.  Wright is replacing Harris in the 11th Judicial Circuit