Booras chosen to replace Hall as chief judge

Circuit Judge James Booras was chosen by his colleagues on the bench Thursday to replace David Hall as Lake County's chief judge.

Booras, 56, was selected at a meeting of all 12 circuit judges following Hall's formal resignation as leader of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Hall, who was appointed chief judge in December, stepped down from the position as a result of his April 26 arrest for DUI and resisting arrest in Vernon Hills.

Booras, who was next in line to succeed Hall based on seniority among circuit judges, said he was humbled by his selection.

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"I thank my fellow judges for giving me their confidence and support," Booras said. "I accept the responsibilities that have been bestowed upon me."

He said he believed his top priorities in office would be securing funding for more courtroom construction and working to improve the efficiency of the court system.

The son of Greek immigrants, Booras came to this country in 1970 and was unable to speak English.

He washed dishes in a restaurant while learning the language, and graduated from law school in 1979.

Booras was a Lake County assistant state's attorney from 1980 until 1991, rising through the ranks to lead the drug prosecution division.

Lake County Deputy State's Attorney Jeff Pavletic worked alongside Booras in the office since Pavletic started in 1985.

"I spent many hours working on cases with Judge Booras and was able to observe his dedication to the law first-hand," Pavletic said. "He has the experience, and I am confident he will have the support he needs to do an outstanding job as chief judge."

Appointed an associate judge in 1991, Booras served assignments in all divisions in the court system before being named a circuit judge in 2000 by the state Supreme Court.

He has served as one of five full-time judges in the felony division since his appointment as a circuit judge.

Although he has resigned as chief judge, Hall remains a circuit judge and will perform administrative duties until the conclusion of the legal case against him.

Hall is scheduled to appear before Kane County Judge F. Keith Brown on May 13 for motions. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 21.

Hall was placed on temporary leave from his position as chief judge immediately after his arrest, and was replaced by Circuit Judge Christopher Starck, who served until Booras' appointment Thursday.

Waukegan attorney Christopher Lombardo said he believed Booras will be a good fit for the job.

"Judge Booras is a highly-experienced jurist," Lombardo said. "I am encouraged by the attributes that he will bring to the position of chief judge."

Booras lives in Gurnee with his wife, Irene, and their son, Dean.