Veteran prosecutor becomes associate judge

A longtime Kane County prosecutor has been elected an associate judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit.

Kathryn Diamond Karayannis, who has been a Kane County assistant state’s attorney since 1988, was selected by the circuit judges. Chief Judge F. Keith Brown announced the appointment Wednesday.

Karayannis, who has worked in every division in the state’s attorney’s office, is a graduate of Elgin High School, Valparaiso University and the Northern Illinois University College of Law.

She was assigned to the Kane County Child Advocacy Center when it opened in 1994. The last 10 years she has been assigned to the child support division.

She will take the bench Oct. 17. There will be a ceremonial swearing-in Oct. 28.

The announcement did not say to what courtroom or division she will be assigned.

“Kathy is thoughtful and professional, and has been a great asset to this office and to the people of Kane County,” State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in a statement.

“She has made a significant contribution in every area of the office, and she will make a significant contribution to our community as a member of the judiciary. She is a great person and a great lawyer, and I am very pleased for her and her family,”

She’ll be the second new judge in the circuit. Marcy Buick was elected an associate judge in September. Buick most recently was in private practice in Sycamore, but previously was a Kane County public defender.