The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Circuit Court Judge Thomas R. Appleton to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fourth Judicial District. He has served by assignment on the Appellate Court since December 2001.
Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment of Judge Appleton to the Appellate Court. The appointment is effective June 4, 2010 and expires December 6, 2010.
Judge Appleton is running unopposed for the seat in the November election and he is virtually assured of winning a full 10-year term.
Judge Appleton was elected a Circuit judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1992. Before his election to the judiciary, Judge Appleton engaged in the private practice of law in Sangamon County from 1981-1992. He was a law clerk for the Fourth District Appellate Court from 1976-1978 when he became research director for the Appellate Court.
In 1979, Judge Appleton was appointed Clerk of the Fourth Judicial District Appellate Court, where he served until 1981. He received his juris doctor degree from lIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1976.
"Since assigned to the Appellate Court in 2001, I have enjoyed my service with the Fourth District Appellate Court. I appreciate the confidence that the Illinois Supreme Court and Justice Garman has shown in appointing me to the existing vacancy on the court," said Judge Appleton.
Judge Appleton is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association.
The Fourth Judicial District is made up of 30 counties across central Illinois.
Central Illinois
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May 12, 2010 |
Practice News
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May 12, 2010 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the appointment of Edgar County State’s Attorney Matthew L. Sullivan as a circuit judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended Mr. Sullivan’s appointment to the full Supreme Court to fill the upcoming vacancy created by the resignation of recalled retired Judge Richard E. Scott. Mr. Sullivan’s appointment is effective July 9, and will terminate December 6, 2010. In February, he won the Republican judicial primary for the seat which Judge Scott now holds, and will run unopposed in November for a full six-year term. “I am honored, humbled and grateful to the Supreme Court and to Justice Garman for the confidence they have placed in me by this appointment,” said Mr. Sullivan. “I look forward to assuming the duties of Circuit Court judge and continuing my public service to the people of Illinois.” Mr. Sullivan was first elected state’s attorney in 1996, and is currently serving his fourth term. In that capacity, he also serves as attorney for the Edgar county board and elected county officials. Before his election to county office, Mr. Sullivan worked in general practice as an associate at Fruin & Garst from 1994-1996. Mr. Sullivan received his juris doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1994. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration. He graduated from Shiloh High School and was class valedictorian. Mr.
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May 11, 2010 |
People
Robert T. Trimpe, 84, of Champaign passed away in late March at his residence. Mr. Trimpe, who practiced in Champaign County for over 50 years, was honored by the ISBA as a Senior Counsellor in 2006. He attended Quincy schools and graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific and was involved in the invasion of Okinawa. He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in 1949 with a BS degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Georgetown University Law School in 1953 with a LLB degree and a Jurist Doctorate in 1967. Click here to read the full obituary in the Champaign News-Gazette
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May 11, 2010
State
- Battle continues over Blagojevich trial delay, Springfield State Journal-Register
Central Illinois
- Greenville rep. pleads guilty to drunk driving, Springfield State Journal-Register
- Opening statements scheduled today in trial of man accused of killing 3-year-old, Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Lawyer: Doctor accused of faking attack is good family man, Chicago Tribune
- Murder trial begins for Waukegan man accused of killing wife, Chicago Tribune
Nation
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day. -
May 6, 2010
Central Illinois
- Shirley Skinner found guilty of murder, Springfield State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Jury weighing case of fatal nail polishing vehicle crash, Daily Herald
- Niece gives aunt, 100, eviction notice, Chicago Tribune
- Ex-cop Burge goes on trial for perjury, Chicago Tribune
- Stevens explains death penalty stance, bow ties, ABA Journal
Nation
- Plea agreement in grain fraud case; "Madoff of the Midwest" bilked farmers out of millions, Belleville News-Democrat
- Appeals court puts halt to release of militia, Chicago Sun-Times
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May 5, 2010
State
- State attorney general says ComEd deal bad for customers, Daily Herald
Central Illinois
- Lawyers rest cases in Skinner murder trial, Springfield State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Dwyane Wade lashes out at estranged wife over lawsuit, Chicago Tribune
- Suspect in Vernon Hills murder eligible for the death penalty, Daily Herald
Northern Illinois
- Grads return to Winnebago County Drug Court, Rockford Register Star
Southern Illinois
- Prosecutors drop sex assault case against suspended Washington Park police officer, Belleville News-Democrat
Nation
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day. -
April 30, 2010
Nation
- Judge: Obama won't have to testify at Blagojevich trial, Chicago Sun-Times
- College student brought to court in chains after missing jury duty, ABC News
- As hundreds of law firms report e-mail scams, one loses bid for insurance coverage, ABA Journal
Central Illinois
- Bloomington man denied sex assault conviction reversal, Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Judge denies gag order in McHenry murder case, Chicago Tribune
- Metra board hires attorney to investigate its director, Daily Herald
- Former Blago chief of staff enters new guilty plea, Chicago Tribune
- Foreclosure suit hits St.
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April 30, 2010
Join us in Normal, Illinois on Friday, May 7th for a comprehensive discussion on the increasingly complex issues occurring in traffic and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) court, as well as the very complicated sentencing options mandated by the Illinois General Assembly. The program is designed for general practitioners, judges, State’s Attorneys, public defenders, and attorneys who practice in the DUI and Traffic Courts—from entry level to advanced practitioners! This full-day event, sponsored by the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts Section, qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit. Click here for more information and to register.
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April 28, 2010 |
Events
The Champaign County Bar Association will host its Law Day Dinner tonight, April 28, at the Champaign Country Club. ISBA Past President Dick Thies will speak on "Memories of more than 50 years in the Champaign County Bar.” Dick will be joined by Charlie Palmer, George Miller and “the Thies Brothers” in a special tribute to (OK, roast of) CCBA President John Gadau. The CCBA will also have a surprise special guest who you won’t want to miss!
- Champaign County Country Club, 1211 South Prospect Avenue
- Cocktail Hour: 5:30 p.m., Dinner: 6:30 p.m.
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April 27, 2010 |
People
Dean W. Jackson, 55, passed away on April 11 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Mr. Jackson graduated from Galena High School and went on to study at Western Illinois University, University of Iowa, Oxford University England Queen's College Law School and Southern Illinois University School of Law. He was an attorney and was employed as the ICC Chief Administrative Law Judge since 2004. Click here to read the full obituary in the Springfield State Journal-Register.