Lawyers Hightower, Smith named to two judge vacancies
From Illinois Business Journal news services
EDWARDSVILLE – Attorneys Jennifer L. Hightower of Alton and Sarah D. Smith of Edwardsville have been elected to fill two associate judge vacancies in the 3rd Judicial Circuit, but three other judgeships still remain unfilled.
“I am extremely pleased to add two women of outstanding character and ability to our bench. I look forward to seeing their energy and enthusiasm work to provide an efficient administration of justice for the people of Madison and Bond counties,” Chief Judge David Hylla said in a statement
“Jennifer Hightower has worked for a highly respected law firm and has also done outstanding work in the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office handling the Alton docket,” Hylla said.
About Sarah Smith, he stated, “Sarah worked in civil litigation before becoming a prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office. The circuit bench is honored to add an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Kosovo and has been decorated with the Bronze Star.”
There are three remaining vacancies that will require another run-off election between the following candidates: Ben L. Beyers II, Donald M. Flack, Maureen D. Schuette and Luther W. Simmons.
Ballots will be mailed to the circuit court judges who will have another 14 days to submit their ballots.
The vacancies opened in June after judges opted not to retain five associate judges. All of those judges reapplied for their posts, but of them, only Beyers and Flack remain in the running.
