Lake County chief judge facing DUI charges to resign

Circuit Judge David Hall said Tuesday he will resign as chief judge of the Lake County courts within the next two days.

By doing so, Hall heads off any conflict with colleagues, who are scheduled to meet Thursday and said they would remove him from the post if he did not voluntarily step down.

The action stems from Hall's April 26 arrest in Vernon Hills on DUI and resisting arrest charges, both misdemeanors. He also faces possible sanctions from state judicial oversight bodies.

Hall began a two-year term as chief judge in December. In the wake of his arrest, Hall and other court officials said he was being placed on a leave of absence from his duties as chief judge and would do administrative work.

In a statement Tuesday, Hall acknowledged his pending legal problems make it impossible for him to continue in the chief judge role.

"This process will take many months," Hall said. "It is in the best interests of the people of Lake County and the 19th Judicial Circuit that I resign my position as chief judge by or before Thursday's meeting."

Hall, who as a circuit judge is an elected official, will remain a judge.

Acting Chief Judge Christopher Starck said he was pleased with Hall's decision and thought the move would help shore up public confidence in the judiciary.

"I and the rest of the circuit judges are relieved that this matter has apparently been settled," Starck said. "All of the interests involved -- the judiciary's and the public's -- are best served by resolving these issues and moving forward."

The chief judge is the top administrative officer of the court system. Its duties include making judge assignments, directing staff employees of the courts and dealing with the county board and other government agencies in matters of court financing and other concerns.

The next issue facing the 12 circuit judges in the county is deciding who succeeds Hall as chief judge.

Under rules observed in the county for several decades, the chief judge is "elected" to two one-year terms based on his or her seniority among the circuit judges.

The only exception was Starck, the immediate past chief judge, who served three one-year terms amid several pending court projects.

Next in line for the chief judge position is Circuit Judge James Booras, who has been a circuit judge for almost eight years and currently hears felony criminal cases.

But both he and Starck said Tuesday all options will be on the table when the circuit judges meet Thursday. It is one of a series of meetings judges hold periodically to discuss administrative issues.

"All possibilities will be explored," Booras said. "Hopefully, we will come up with the best solutions."

There has been no disruption of court services in the wake of Hall's legal problems, Stark said, and none are anticipated.

He said each court division has a presiding judge who handles its day-to-day administration.

In addition, Lake County has four sitting judges who have served as chief judge in the past -- Starck and circuit judges Jane Waller, Margaret Mullen and Raymond McKoski -- available to consult on issues that may arise.