Ex-Arlington Hts. village president named presiding judge

Cook County Circuit Court Judge William O. Maki, who served as village president of Arlington Heights from 1989 to 1992 and as a village trustee before that, will take over Monday as presiding judge of the Third Municipal District in Rolling Meadows.

He replaces Judge Joseph Urso, a 33-year veteran of the judiciary who served as presiding judge for 12 years. Urso retired Friday, along with veteran Third Municipal District judges Howard Fink and John Scotillo.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced Maki’s appointment late Friday afternoon.

“I thank Chief Judge Evans for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with the fine judges and staff of the Third Municipal District,” said Maki, who learned of his new assignment on Friday.

“Judge Maki’s lengthy judicial service combined with his previous administrative background make him a logical choice to assume the duties of a presiding judge,” said Evans in a prepared statement, which also praised Urso for his administrative skills and passion for justice.

Maki acknowledged that Urso’s will be big shoes to fill.

“He’s left an honorable legacy that’s going to be hard to match,” said Maki.

Admitted to the bar in 1973, Maki was elected to the bench in 1992 and has presided over chancery cases since 2003. Before that he presided over cases in the law, juvenile and criminal divisions. A former Cook County assistant state’s attorney, Maki was a partner in the Mount Prospect law firm Best & Maki from 1978 to 1989 and had a solo practice in Arlington Heights from 1989 to 1992.