Chief judge creates two deputy chief positions

Chief Judge David Hall has revamped the structure of the chain of command in the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Hall, who took over as chief judge in December, has created two new deputy chief positions in the system.

He appointed Circuit Judge Mary Seminara Schostok as the deputy chief of the civil law division and Circuit Judge Fred Foreman as deputy chief of the criminal division.

"Both Judge Schostok and Judge Foreman have a wealth of insight and experience in their respective divisions," Hall said. "I look forward to being able to utilize their skills in making decisions."

Schostok will oversee the family courts, probate and alternative dispute resolution courts and the law division in her new post.

Foreman will have responsibility for the felony, drug and mental health and misdemeanor courts.

Hall also appointed Circuit Judge James Booras to serve as acting chief judge when he is out of town.

New judge named:ŒThe circuit judges of the county have selected Michael Betar to fill the associate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donald Geiger.

Betar, who was admitted to the bar in 1992, practiced law in Chicago for five years before opening an office in Hainesville.

Between 1999 and 2005, he was an associate with the Grayslake firm of Churchill, Baumgartner and Quinn and then opened his own practice in Waukegan.

Betar is a graduate of the University of Illinois and received his law degree from Northern Illinois University.

"We look forward to Michael joining the bench in the very near future," Chief Judge David Hall said. "He is knowledgeable, well qualified and has the temperament to make an excellent judge."

Law merit badge:ŒLocal Boy Scouts were joined by their counterparts from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin recently for the annual Law Merit Badge Day at the county courthouse.

Court administrator Robert Zastany welcomed the 70 Scouts to the program, which included tours of the county jail and coroner's facility.

Other highlights included a discussion of the law, the jury system and law-related Web sites.

Since the first Law Merit Badge Day in 1998, more than 400 Scouts have earned the badge through the program.