How are judges elected in Illinois?
Judges. For elected offices, judges are nominated in party primaries and elected in partisan elections. The seven justices of the Supreme Court are elected from the five appellate judicial districts of the state: three justices from the First District (Cook County) and one from each of the other four districts.
How much does a circuit judge make in Illinois?
The salary’s not too shabby, either: Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court make $207,066 annually; appellate court judges, $194,888; circuit court judges, $178,835; and associate judges, $169,893, as of July 1, 2010.
Who elects the circuit court judges in Illinois?
Circuit courts contain circuit and associate judges. Circuit court judges are elected by the voters in their circuit for a six-year term. At the expiration of that term, the circuit court judge must stand in a retention election before the electorate of that circuit in order to serve for another six-year term.
How do you become a circuit court judge in Illinois?
A judge at any level must be a citizen of the United States, an attorney licensed to practice in Illinois, and a resident of the district or circuit to which the judge is appointed or elected. Partisan elections, set by the political parties, elect an Illinois Supreme Court justice to a ten-year term.
How long are Illinois Supreme Court judges elected for?
10 years
High-Profile Cases The state is divided into five judicial districts, with three justices elected from the first district (Cook County) and one justice elected from each of the other four districts. Justices are elected in partisan elections for 10 years and may be retained in office for additional terms of 10 years.
What makes a good circuit judge?
A candidate should show qualities of patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact, firmness, understanding, compassion and humility. A candidate should be able to deal with people calmly and courteously and should be willing to hear and consider the views of all sides of a case.
Are trial court judges elected?
Membership, qualifications Superior court judges serve six-year terms and are elected by county voters on a nonpartisan ballot at a general election. Vacancies are filled through appointment by the Governor.
What circuit court is Illinois?
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit serves the areas of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
What cases do circuit judges hear?
Some circuit judges deal specifically with criminal or civil cases, while some are authorised to hear public and/or private law family cases.
How long is the term for a circuit judge?
Once elected to the court, these judges serve six-year terms, with a limit placed on terms that can vary from state to state. It is also important to note that judges who serve on the 13 federal circuit courts are appointed by the President of the United States and serve for life.