After mass judge ouster, county puts puts out call for replacements

From Illinois Business Journal news services

EDWARDSVILLE – One day after announcing that five associate judges were not being retained, the head of the circuit judges put out a notice for job applicants.

David Hylla, chief judge of the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Illinois, placed notice Friday under Illinois Supreme Court rules that vacancies exist and that members of the bar are invited to apply.

The five ousted in a vote of circuit judges were associate judges Duane L. Bailey, Ben L. Beyers, Donald M. Flack, David Grounds and Elizabeth Levy. Their terms expire, effective June 30. Each had been judges for multiple years, with Grounds a judge since 2003.

In all, there are 13 associate judges and nine circuit judges — who do not have to state reasons for the non-reappointments. Frequently, in the past, such votes have come down to politics or low scores of polls conducted among trial attorneys. Those ousted may again apply for appointment, but they would again be subject to a secret vote of the circuit judges.

A notice from Hylla’s office said applicants must submit two original applications on the prescribed application form to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. The Notice of Vacancies shall be deemed to have been given and the 30-day period within which to file applications shall commence with the mailing of such notice on today, June 12.

All applicants for the Office of Associate Judge may secure the necessary forms in the Office of the Chief Judge, Madison County Courthouse, 155 N. Main St., Suite 405, Edwardsville, Illinois, from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts or from the Supreme Court’s website: www.illinoiscourts.gov. Applications may not be submitted electronically or via facsimile.

All applications must be received by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts by 5 p.m. July 13.