Ortiz named chief judge of Lake County court
A former Fox Lake attorney was named chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit in Lake County by unanimous vote, officials said in a news release Friday.
Judge Jorge L. Ortiz, of Antioch, takes over the post Jan. 1, and serve until Jan. 1, 2017. He will replace the outgoing chief judge, John Phillips.
Ortiz became the first Hispanic judge in Lake County when he was selected as associate judge in 2002. He served as associate judge until his appointment to circuit judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008. He was elected as circuit judge in 2010, and now serves as presiding judge of the Civil Division.
"I am honored to be elected to serve as chief judge and grateful for the expression of confidence and support from my fellow circuit judges," Ortiz said. "I look forward to working with all of our judges, the many wonderful employees of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, and all of our justice partners in the administration of justice and service to the people of Lake County."
Ortiz is a well known authority on child support and family law topics, and has lectured for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support Enforcement, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, Loyola University School of Law and several other agencies.
He also serves on the board of directors of the Illinois Judges Association, the Illinois Judges Foundation and the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. He is a member of the Illinois State and Lake County bar associations.
In October, he was presented with the inaugural Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award by the Illinois Family Support Enforcement Association.
Ortiz is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Preparatory School and received an undergraduate degree in 1985 from Loyola University. He attended John Marshall Law School in 1989 and began his legal career as a Lake County assistant state's attorney.
He practiced in the private sector at the law firm of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen & Phillips, Ltd. in Fox Lake, where he often assisted the village of Fox Lake with legal matters.
"It couldn't happen to a better guy," Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit said. "He has been very professional in every dealing I've ever had with him, and he's extremely well respected in our community."