July 25 , 2017

Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that the Hon. Craig H. DeArmond, Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the Fourth Judicial District.

Chief Judge DeArmond was assigned to fill the opening created by the assignment of Justice Thomas M. Harris to the Fourth District Appellate Court, who was assigned to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice M. Carol Pope.

The assignment of Chief Judge DeArmond takes effect on September 1, 2017, and will continue until further order of the Court.

"I am pleased to announce the assignment of Judge Craig DeArmond to the Fourth District Appellate Court. Judge DeArmond has many years of experience that have amply prepared him for the work of the appellate court," Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman said. "His background includes eight years as Vermilion County State’s Attorney and several years in private practice representing criminal defendants and clients in civil matters. He was elected in 2015 to serve as Chief Judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Judge DeArmond has served on the Supreme Court Committee on Education for several years and is a frequent presenter at judicial education programs. He will make a fine addition to the appellate court."

Chief Judge DeArmond was first elected as a judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in 2000 and won retention in 2006 and 2012. In 2015, he was elected as Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Prior to his election to the bench, he served as an assistant state’s attorney for four years, as the elected state's attorney for eight years, and in general private practice in Vermilion County for 13 years.

"I am truly honored Justice Garman has recommended me for assignment to the Fourth District Appellate Court. I appreciate her confidence in me and take very seriously this privilege the Supreme Court has bestowed upon me. I look forward to the challenges of serving on the Appellate Court," Chief Judge DeArmond said.

"This is a unique opportunity to participate in a process distinctly different from that seen at the trial court level. I believe my 25 years of practicing law, coupled with my 17 years of service as a Circuit Court Judge will allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the exceptional quality of decisions for which the Fourth District is known. Justice Garman and the people of the Fourth District have my assurance I will do my best."

Chief Judge DeArmond earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School.

Chief Judge DeArmond was appointed in May as Vice Chair for one of the standing committees of the Illinois Judicial College, and was appointed to the Supreme Court’s Committee on Education in 2006. He has also served on the New Judge, Faculty Development, and Illinois Judicial College planning committees.

Chief Judge DeArmond has been a regular faculty member at the mandatory bi-annual Education Conference for all judges and New Judge School for all incoming judges and served as co-chair of the 2012 Education Conference. He previously served as faculty and committee member of the Advanced Judicial Academy and the Supreme Court’s Capital Litigation Committee. Chief Judge DeArmond is a member of the Illinois Judge’s Association and the Vermilion County Bar Association.

The Fourth Judicial District is composed of 30 counties in central Illinois, including: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Greene, Jersey, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, McLean, Menard, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Vermilion and Woodford.