Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford Announces Formation of Judicial Screening Committee

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 Committee consists of a former judge as well as attorneys who reside and practice in Lake County.

The members of the Committee are: Hon. Nancy Waites (ret.), Julio Argueta of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegan, Argueta, Bawcum & Barone, Ltd., Marisa Schostok of Buckley of Dudley & Lake LLC, LaTonya Burton formally of Bur-Men Law Group, P.C., and Stephen Rice of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The Hon. Nancy S. Waites (ret.) will serve as chair of the Committee.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)