More than 30 attorneys apply to be named Lake County associate judge

More than 30 attorneys living in Lake County have applied to fill an associate judge vacancy in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, officials have announced.

Chief Judge Jay W. Ukena received notification from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that 34 attorneys have filed their applications for the associate judge vacancy.

The position became open on Jan. 2 after Judge Joseph Salvi was appointed from associate to circuit judge.

The 34 applicants will be interviewed in the coming weeks by circuit judges, then evaluated by members of the Lake County Bar Association's Judicial Selection and Retention Committee.

The public also has until Feb. 12 to comment in writing in support of specific nominees.

The letters should be addressed to: The Office of the Chief Judge, Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085.

After the interview process is complete, the circuit judge nominating committee will select two finalists and place their names on a ballot.

Circuit judges will make a final vote and submit the ballot to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, which will advise Ukena of the candidate who received the most votes.