Administrative Director Declares Three Hundred Seventy-Six Illinois Associate Judges Reappointed for another Four Year Term

[June 16, 2015]  Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced that three hundred seventy-six (376) of the 384 Illinois associate judges who filed requests for reappointment to their office for a new four year term have been retained.

Having certified the results of more than 466 total ballots cast in Illinois' twenty-four circuit courts, Director Tardy informed that each successful candidate received votes that tallied three-fifths or greater in favor of their reappointment.

Five associate judges in the Third Judicial Circuit, one in the Sixth Judicial Circuitt one in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and one in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit did not receive the requisite number of votes for reappointment. The new term of office for each reappointed associate judge will begin on July 1, 2015 and terminate on June 30, 2019.

Pursuant to Illinois' Constitution, associate judges serve a term of office of four years. The Illinois Constitution vests in the Supreme Court the authority to provide, by rule, for the associate judges appointment process in Illinois.

With the adoption of Supreme Court Rule 39 in 1971, the quadrennial reappointment election of associate judges is accomplished through the casting of secret ballots by circuit court judges eligible to vote.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts administers all associate judge elections on behalf of the Supreme Court. The 2015 quadrennial reappointment election is the eleventh reappointment election since the 1970 amendments to the judicial article of the Illinois Constitution.

In the Eleventh Judicial Circuit the following associate judges have been reappointed:

• David W. Butler

• Pablo A. Eves

• Mark A. Fellheimer

• Thomas W. Funk

• J. Brian Goldrick

• Lee Ann S. Hill

• Michael L. Stroh

• Robert M. Travers

• William G. Workman

• William A. Yoder