DuPage Co. has new chief judge

Stephen J. Culliton was elected DuPage County's chief judge Wednesday.

Culliton, a former prosecutor, worked as chief of staff from 1995 to 1998 for then Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan. He became a judge in 1998, then ascended to the circuit bench by appointment in June 2000.

The county's 16 circuit judges elected their new chief during a closed-door afternoon meeting. The three-year term officially begins in December.

A handful of other circuit judges expressed interest in the top judicial post, but Culliton emerged as chief Wednesday after garnering a majority of the votes.