Public invited to submit comments on applicants.
Justice Mary K. O’Brien of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who have applied to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Karen Wilson, effective August 28, 2024. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment.
After the committee has received public input, gathered information, and interviewed each of the applicants, it will report its findings to the Supreme Court of Illinois who will make the appointment. The person appointed will serve as a Circuit Judge until the general election to be held in November 2026.
The screening committee consists of non-lawyers and lawyers who reside in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. The members of the committee are Nick Giannini; Illinois State Representative Terra Costa Howard; Robin Belleau, former Executive Director of LAP, Kirkland & Ellis; Sonni Choi Williams, President of the ISBA; and Michael Childress, NAACP. Nick Giannini will serve as chairperson of the committee.
Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are Megan Boyle, Luke Dussman, Michael W. Fleming, Scott A. Herbert, Daniel J. Kordik, Christina Kye, Louisa J. Nuckolls, Akash Bhanuprasad Vyas, and Robert P. Walsh.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments concerning the applicants by email to mbutler@illinoiscourts.gov. Comments must be in writing and received no later than 5 p.m. on August 23, 2024. Anonymous comments will not be accepted. All comments will be held in the strictest confidence by the committee and the court.