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.
Illinois Supreme Court
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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 3, 2010 |
Events | Practice News
Illinois Bar Admission ceremonies will be held in the five Judicial Districts on Thursday, May 6:
- Judicial Dist. 1: 10:30 a.m., McCormick Place West, Chicago (500 new admittees)
- Judicial Dist. 2: 10 a.m., Hemmens Memorial Bldg. Elgin Civic Center Plaza, Elgin (52 new admittees)
- Judicial Dist. 3: 11 a.m., Ottawa Appellate Courthouse, Ottawa (23 new admittees)
- Judicial Dist. 4: 10 a.m., Supreme Court Building, Springfield (14 new admittees)
- Judicial Dist. 5: 2 p.m., Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville (142 new admittees)
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April 27, 2010 |
Practice News
Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald and the Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday the creation of a Special Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning to maximize the use of court and community resources in aiding the rehabilitation and treatment of accused offenders with mental health issues. The Committee is generally charged with studying, reviewing and collaborating "on issues and matters related to mental illness and the justice system" with the aim of making recommendations to the Supreme Court. Specifically, the Supreme Court has asked the Committee to formulate and prioritize recommendations in improving communication, data gathering and information sharing between the mental health and criminal justice systems. It is expected that members of the Committee will participate in the continuing statewide strategic planning process initiated by the Division of Mental Health of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Court also asked the committee to identify and consider appropriate diversion models for persons with mental illness and to report on what works best in Mental Health courts in Illinois, including how to continue care for persons with mental illness as they transition from the criminal justice system to mental health services. Judges appointed to the Committee serve in the counties of Cook, Madison, Rock Island, St. Clair, Kankakee, Macon, Lake, McLean, Kane and Winnebago, but recommendations could affect criminal justice and mental health populations statewide.
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April 15, 2010 |
Practice News
CIVIL
Carter v. SSC Odin Operating Company
By Michael T. Reagan, Herbolsheimer Lannon Henson Duncan and Reagan PC In Carter v. SSC Odin Operating Company, the high court ruled that the sections of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act voiding a resident's waiver of the right to sue or to have a jury trial were ineffective to negate preemption by the Federal Arbitration Act. Though Carter was decided within the narrow confines of nursing-home litigation, its logic could affect a much broader range of preemption cases. For appellate lawyers, here's an interesting procedure point: the court said it was exercising jurisdiction pursuant to its supervisory authority. That was probably necessary because more than 21 days had expired after an initial denial of the petition for leave to appeal, during which time the Supreme Court of the United States had denied certiorari, and the Second District had issued a conflicting opinion. Case summary Supreme Court opinion 106511Slovinski v. Elliot
By Jean M. Prendergast, Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, P.C Civil practitioners will be wise to consider carefully Slovinsky v. Elliot, in which the Court refined the standard for reviewing remittitur and punitive damage awards, especially where the trial judge makes no specific findings. In this defamation per se case, the trial court reduced a $2 million jury award for punitive damages to $1 million. -
April 9, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_9405" align="alignright" width="300" caption=""Justice with Precedence and Record""][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission has made reprints of "Justice with Precedence and Record" by Albert Krehbel, available for sale. The historic painting was used as the rendering for the century-old murals on the walls and ceilings of the Supreme Court courtroom. Four sizes are available ranging in price from $59-$249. Click here to read more about the painting. Click here to download the order form
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April 6, 2010 |
Practice News
The Supreme Court has posted the following opening for the position of Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois: The Clerk of the Supreme Court is an officer appointed by the Court (Ill. Const. 1970, Art. VI, § 18 (a)), reports to the Court, and serves at the Court’s pleasure. This senior level position is the Court’s principal case processing and records manager who operates the Clerk’s main office in Springfield and a satellite office in Chicago through a staff of 14 deputies which the Clerk recruits, selects, trains, and supervises, and by planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures necessary to execute the responsibilities of the office. As case manager, the Clerk oversees and evaluates the functioning of four distinct automated dockets, and all associated processes, to ensure compliance with Supreme Court Rules and effective tracking and scheduling of cases from initiation to issuance of mandates and final orders. Relatedly, the Clerk interprets and applies relevant rules and compiles, analyzes, and reports statistics on the Court’s case load. As records manager, the Clerk is responsible for the Court’s active and closed files and permanent records, dating to 1818. The Clerk maintains the roll of attorneys, which includes the licensing process; registers and renews professional service corporations and associations, and limited liability companies and partnerships engaged in the practice of law; files judicial financial disclosure statements required of state court judges.
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March 23, 2010 |
Practice News
The Special Supreme Court Committee on Illinois Evidence will hold public hearings on proposed new rules codifying Illinois evidence law at the following locations:
- Tuesday, May 18, 10 a.m.: Supreme Court Building, 160 N. LaSalle, Room C-500, Chicago
- Thursday, May 20, 10 a.m.: Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield
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March 17, 2010 |
Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court disbarred seven lawyers, suspended nine and censured three in its latest disciplinary filing. More information on each case is available at the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission Web site.
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March 14, 2010 |
Practice News
The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Friday that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Michael A. Wolfe as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Wolfe received his undergraduate degree in 1981 from Marquette University, and his Juris Doctor in 1984 from John Marshall in Chicago. Mr. Wolfe is currently affiliated with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office in Wheaton.