Justice Elizabeth Rochford Seeks Comment on Applicants for Sixteenth Circuit Vacancy

Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois seeks public comment on the six applicants for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Fourth Subcircuit. 

The vacancy will be created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Susan Clancy Boles on July 31, 2026. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. 

Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are: 

• Marina Lark Cowart – Associate Judge – 16th Judicial Circuit 

• Robert Dore – Chief Criminal Division – Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office 

• David Kliment – Associate Judge - 16th Judicial Circuit 

• Christopher Solfa – Partner – Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine, PC 

• Andrew Whitfield – Assistant Attorney General 

• Andrea Zenker – Attorney/Partner – Higgins, Zenker & Coyle, PC 

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments concerning the applicants to Stacie Ryan at sryan@illinoiscourts.gov. Comments must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. All comments will be held in the strictest confidence.