Schostok appointed to appellate court

Lake County Circuit Judge Mary Seminara Schostok was appointed to the appellate court Friday.

The appointment, confirmed by Joseph Tybor, a spokesman for the state Supreme Court, is the latest advancement in the Libertyville woman's 22-year law career.

"I am truly honored that the Supreme Court had the confidence in me to name me to this prestigious post," Schostok said. "I look forward to the challenges in serving the people of Illinois as one of its appellate judges."

After graduating from the Capital University of Ohio in 1986, Schostok worked in private practice and was an assistant public defender in Pittsburgh before becoming a Lake County assistant state's attorney in 1988.

She worked in every division of the prosecutor's office, eventually ending her career there as chief of special prosecutions before her appointment to the bench in 1988.

As a judge, Schostok heard cases in every branch of the courts and was named chief judge of the civil division in December.

Chief Circuit Judge James Booras praised Schostok and said he looked forward to the skills she will bring to the 2nd District Appellate Court in Elgin.

"Mary is a hard-working judge whose love of the law is exceeded only by her willingness to study it," Booras said. "She will apply a steady hand to cases presented for her review."

Schostok will replace Justice Barbara Gilleran-Johnson, also a former Lake County circuit judge, who is retiring from the court effective Aug. 13. Shostok's appointment is effective Aug. 18.

Gilleran-Johnson, a judge since 1987, was elected to the appellate court in 2002.

Schostok said the appointment is the realization of a goal she set for herself long ago.

"Even during my days as a practicing attorney, I wanted to be a member of a reviewing court," she said. "I worked hard and studied hard, and today's announcement is really a dream come true."

Circuit Judge George Bridges, a colleague of Schostok's in both the state's attorney's office and the bench, said she has the experience needed on the appellate court.

"I could not think of a better candidate for the post," Bridges said. "Mary has experience as a trial attorney and a trial judge, and we need people on the appellate court who have spent time in the trenches and know what we go through on a day-to-day basis."

Schostok is married to attorney Michael Schostok, a partner in the firm of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, PC, and the couple has three children.