Republicans lining up for Kane judge seats
At least five Republicans say they're eyeing judgeships up for election next year in the 16th Judicial Circuit, which includes Kane County.
Whether any of them make it onto the November ballot will be decided in the upcoming primary on Feb. 2, 2010.
Among those to announce plans to run are Kane County associate judges Susan Clancy Boles, Kevin Busch and Karen Simpson, all of whom currently have appointed positions on the bench. Also planning to run are local attorneys D.J. Tegeler and Thomas Patrick Rice.
There are three positions available with ties to the Tri-Cities. Boles is the only candidate so far to announce in the 4th subcircuit, which includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and part of South Elgin, while Simpson and Tegeler are in the running for the 3rd subcircuit, which contains parts of DeKalb, Kane and Kendall counties.
Rice said he is still deciding which seat to pursue, and Busch is the lone candidate so far for a circuit seat to be elected at large.
"I've always been very interested in public service and view the position of judge as one of a public servant," Busch said. "Running for circuit judge is really kind of a promotion, but mostly it's an opportunity to join my colleagues and be a part of the solution."
Busch, a former Kane County prosecutor and a 16-year veteran of private practice, was appointed associate judge about a year ago and is presiding judge of DUI court. If elected, Busch said he would work to make the court system "more efficient" for the general public.
In the 3rd subcircuit, Tegeler and Simpson both say they have the legal experience necessary for the bench.
Tegeler has been in private practice for 20 years, during which he said he has "represented every walk of life, from persons to corporations." This is his first time running for elected office.
"It's a way for me to actually work for the community and give back," said Tegeler, whose practice is in Geneva. "One thing I'm looking to do is make it so when people come to court they can get their business done and move on with their lives."
Simpson who has been an associate judge for 12 years, also named courtroom efficiency as a priority if she is elected to the 3rd subcircuit.
A former prosecutor, Simpson has more than 31 years of legal experience, including working as a mentor for new judges and overseeing juvenile court.
"At this stage in my career, I felt I would be able to contribute more," Simpson said. "I've lived and practiced in the 16th Judicial Circuit. I'm familiar with both sides of the bench here."
In the 4th subcircuit, Boles announced her intention to run just after the spring election this year.
Boles, who is currently serving a circuit judge appointment made by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008, also has been an associate judge and trial attorney in Kane County.
"My roots in this circuit and subcircuit run deep," Boles says in a campaign message on her Web site. "This is my home - the people and institutions that I care about most are here."
Rice, a veteran trial attorney and adjunct law professor at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, said he has always wanted to become a judge and believes he has the experience to do it. Rice, of Batavia, said he has been practicing law for 24 years, with concentration on civil litigation in the collar counties.
Running for judge has "kind of been a dream of mine," he said. "Trial experience is necessary and, when I say that, I don't mean five or 10 cases. I would put my resume and what I've done up against anybody."
Mark Guethle, chairman of the Kane County Democrats, said several people in his party are considering running for judge, but no announcements have been made.