Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a standing Judicial Screening Committee (Committee). The Committee has been formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who apply for appointment to vacancies in the Supreme Court’s 19th Judicial Circuit – Lake County. Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies on the Circuit and Appellate Courts are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Appointed individuals then must run in the next election to maintain the seat.

The Illinois Supreme Court has released the Illinois Courts 2025 Annual Report. The Report contains a summary of the day-to-day operations of the Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court, and highlights the work of Illinois judges, court managers, committees, AOIC and other justice partners who keep the trains running for the third branch of government.

Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois seeks public comment on the applicants for a Circuit Judge vacancy in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Charles W. Smith, effective Aug. 31, 2026. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are:

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of August, 2026, the ISBA helped 1,267 people in need of legal services find lawyers.