Illinois Supreme Court Announces Recall and Assignment of Seven Retired Circuit Court Judges

Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and the Supreme Court of Illinois announced today the recall and assignment of seven retired circuit court judges from Cook, Will, and Pope counties to address a shortage of judges in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Section 15 of article VI of the Illinois Constitution provides that any retired Judge, with his or her consent, may be assigned by the Supreme Court to judicial service for which he or she shall receive the applicable compensation in lieu of retirement benefits. Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI § 15

Cook County Circuit Court Judges Diane Shelly, Donald Suriano, James Brown, Jeanne Cleveland, and Sebastian Patti have been selected for recall, as have Will County Circuit Court Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes and Pope County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Mac Leberman. All will be assigned to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

The assignment of the recalled judges will begin on December 15, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov)