Korean court officials study jury system in Lake Co.

A group of South Korean court officials made their second visit to Lake County last week to gather information about how a jury system works.

The group of judges, administrators and clerks spent two days at the Waukegan courthouse talking with judges, Circuit Court Clerk Sally Cofelt and administrators about the nuts and bolts of a jury system.

Chief Judge James Booras said judges decide all court cases in South Korea, sometimes sitting in panels of up to seven members, but the nation is considering moving to a jury system.

The South Korean delegation was sponsored by the National Center for State Courts in Virginia, and also made a stop in Columbus, Ohio to study courts there.

A similar delegation visited Lake County in 2006, also to gather facts about jury operations.

Judge candidate

A second Democrat has filed to run for circuit judge in the February primary in the 5th judicial subcircuit.

Wauconda attorney Timothy M. Howe, a partner in the Chicago firm of Klevatt and Associates, LLC, will face Peter Curielli in the race.

A graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Howe has represented plaintiffs and defendants in mediations, arbitrations and bench and jury trials.

The 5th Subcircuit includes Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Island Lake, North Barrington, Fox Lake, Volo and Lake Barrington.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Circuit Judge Diane Winter in the November election.

Officers honored

Four Lake County probation officers were honored at the recent fall meeting of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association in Peoria.

Frank Kuzmickus, the director of adult probation, was the recipient of the Gene Hughes Award for demonstrating the highest standards of the profession.

Jamie Shatkus, a principal probation officer in the sex offender unit, was the recipient of the Pauline Gansauer Award for dedicated service.

Keith Cooprider and Sharon Lawrence, both probation officers in the adult unit, were presented Distinguish Service Awards for significant contributions to the profession.