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 Paul Fullerton, effective October 15, 2025. 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 from the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. The members of the committee are Nick Giannini; Robin Belleau, former Executive Director of LAP, Kirkland & Ellis; Tom Homer, retired Appellate Court Justice, Huck & Bouma; Brian LaVaque, Trustee for the Village of Lombard; and Michael Childress, NAACP. Nick Giannini will serve as chairperson of the committee.
Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are Terra Costa Howard, Julie A. Johnson and Alice L. Wilson.
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 September 5, 2025. Anonymous comments will not be accepted. All comments will be held in the strictest confidence by the committee and the court.