Judge James Doyle will retire Aug. 2 from the 16th Circuit Court after 18 years, an event that will introduce the new subcircuit system to Kane County.
Under the subcircuit law enacted in January 2005, Doyle's vacancy must be filled in November 2008 by a candidate whose office is located in Aurora. The Supreme Court is expected to name an interim replacement, who does not have to be from Aurora.
Aurora comprises the first 16th Circuit subcircuit to be created. The second will be Elgin, and subsequently the tri-cities of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia, and DeKalb and Kendall Counties.
Doyle's retirement will end a disciplinary matter brought by the Judicial Inquiry Board. A status hearing was scheduled for Aug. 15.
Philip J. Green, a Belleville native, has been nominated as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. A graduate of the St. Louis University School of Law, he has been an assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District pf Michigan since 1998.
Ronald J. Tenpas resigned from the Southern District position in November to become an associate deputy U.S. attorney general in Washington, D.C.
Chicago attorney Michael B. Hyman was installed June 28 as a judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, six days after his term as president of the Chicago Bar Association ended. He succeeded Julia M. Nowicki, who retired, and will serve through Dec. 1, 2008.
A former partner in Much, Shelist, Freed, Denenberg, Ament & Rubenstein, Hyman is a past president of the Decalogue Society and former chair of the ISBA Bench and Bar Section Council.
Alton attorney Stephen A. Stobbs was installed June 19 as an associate judge of the 3rd Circuit. He was managing partner of Stobbs & Sinclair and a member of the Madison County Board.
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Associate Judge Larry W. Heiser of McDonough County in the 9th Circuit, Macomb, was appointed to the circuit court vacancy of David R. Hultgren, who retired July 4. Heiser's term will expire Dec. 31.
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Joliet attorney James E. Egan and Will County assistant public defender Marilee Viola have been named associate judges in the 12th Circuit. The vacancies resulted from the death of Barbara J. Badger and the establishment of a new associate judgeship.
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Associate Judge J. Todd Kennedy of the 17th Circuit has been appointed to the circuit court vacancy of Angus S. More Jr., who retired. He will serve through Dec. 1, 2008, in the seat that becomes a resident subcircuit judgeship.
On the bench since 1998, Kennedy is presiding judge of the Winnebago County Probate and Small Claims Division in Rockford.