The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed John L. McGehee as a resident circuit judge in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

McGehee was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Lori R. Lefstein on Jan. 30. The appointment is effective May 1, and will conclude Dec. 6, 2020, when the position will be filled by the November 2020 General Election.

Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmier recommended McGehee’s appointment to the supreme court after an extensive application, evaluation, and interview process that included the formation of a special judicial screening committee. 

McGehee is currently the state’s attorney for Rock Island County, serving in that role since 2012 and winning reelection in 2016. In 2015, McGehee was elected by his fellow state's attorneys to the Board of Governors of the Illinois Office of the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor for the Third District. Prior to his current position, he was in private practice at McGehee, Olson, Pepping, & Balk Ltd. for 23 years as a partner and owner. 

He earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College in Rock Island and received his law degree from the Drake University Law School.

The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit includes Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside counties.