July 28, 2020

Cook County Circuit Judge Diane M. Shelley was appointed this month to the Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security (Commission) by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Judge Shelley represents the judicial branch on the Commission, which also includes four members of the General Assembly and 20 members of the public who have extensive advocacy experience on issues such as poverty, mental health, education equity, and more.

The Commission is tasked with improving policymakers' understanding of the root causes of poverty and economic insecurity, including contributing social, economic, and cultural factors, and the reasons that poverty and economic insecurity persist in Illinois.

The Commission will produce a strategic plan to address poverty and economic insecurity in this State by November 30, 2021.

Judge Shelley has served on the bench since 2006, winning retention in 2012 and 2018. She is currently a Commissioner on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and began her tenure as President of the Illinois Judges Association last month.