Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke announced today an application process for a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.

The vacancy was created by the resignation of Circuit Judge Robert Lopez Cepero, who served as a judge since 1994. Judge Cepero's resignation took effect January 6, 2016.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Burke will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court after applicants for the position undergo a screening and evaluation process.

The process will include a review by a special judicial screening committee that Justice Burke established in 2006 and is chaired by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Benjamin K. Miller.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing, licensed to practice law in Illinois, and a resident of the Sixth Subcircuit.

Notice of the vacancy and details of the application process are posted on the Illinois Supreme Court's website at www.illinoiscourts.gov. From there, follow the instructions on the "Latest News" scroller announcing the Sixth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County vacancy.

The deadline for submission of applications is 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016.

Completed applications should be submitted by mail to the Hon. Benjamin K. Miller, c/o Jenner & Block, 353 North Clark Street, 42nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60654.

The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until December 2, 2018, when the position will be filled by the November 2018 general election.

The Sixth Judicial Subcircuit encompasses all or portions of several Chicago neighborhoods, including Albany Park, Avondale, Belmont-Cragin, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Irving Park, Lincoln Square, North Center, Portage Park, Ravenswood, and Wicker Park, among others.

To view a precise description and map of the Sixth Subcircuit, applicants should consult the State Board of Elections website at http://www.elections.il.gov/votinginformation/CookSubcircuits.aspx.