County's chief judge elected chairman of state inquiry panel

Kane County's chief judge has been chosen to head the state disciplinary panel that investigates judicial misconduct.

Judge Donald Hudson was elected chairman of the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, where he has served since he was appointed by the state Supreme Court last April.

Hudson, the chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, which covers Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, begins his term as chairman of the nine-member board in June.

Hudson has been tapped several times to serve on various committees that weigh in on judicial policy and called his latest post an honor that bears great responsibility.

"It has to be taken very seriously," Hudson said of the chairman's duties. "It's important to maintain the public's confidence."

The judicial inquiry board is composed of two circuit judges appointed by the state Supreme Court. Seven others -- three attorneys and four lay people -- are appointed by the governor.

Members of the judicial inquiry board serve four-year terms, and the chairman, who is elected by the other board members, often serves a one-year term.

The board meets monthly in Chicago.

Hudson is the first Kane County judge in recent history to serve on the judicial inquiry board, which probes allegations of unethical behavior against Illinois judges.

As chairman, Hudson will be responsible to overseeing hearings on complaints and investigations.

He takes over as chairman for Jill Landsberg, an attorney first appointed to the board in 2000.