Circuit judge Ortiz announces candidacy

Circuit Judge Jorge Ortiz has announced his candidacy to retain his position on the bench in the 6th Judicial Subcircuit in Lake County.

A Republican, Ortiz was appointed an associate judge in 2000 and elevated to circuit judge by the state Supreme Court in 2008.

A graduate of Loyola University and John Marshall Law School, Ortiz started his career as a Lake County assistant state's attorney in 1990 and went on to become a partner in the Fox Lake firm of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegan, Phillips, Ortiz and Morozin before his appointment to the bench.

Currently the presiding judge of the family law division, Ortiz also serves of the Illinois Child Support Advisory board and the National Judicial Child Support Enforcement Task Force.

The 6th Subcircuit includes Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Hainesville, Old Mill Creek, Third Lake, Winthrop Harbor and parts of Fox Lake, Grayslake, Gurnee, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Wadsworth and Zion.

The primary election is set for Feb. 2.

Rally set

The annual Red Ribbon Rally to urge young people to make wise decisions concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco is set for Oct. 21 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

Sponsored by the 19th Judicial Circuit and the Lake County Regional Office of Education and Health Department, more than 500 schoolchildren are expected to attend the rally.

Featured events include "Charting your Course," a 40-minute high-energy program that encourages students to take responsibility for their actions.

School administrators wishing to send students to the rally should contact Diane Flory of the 19th Judicial Circuit at (847) 377-3818.

Heard in the hallway

A fundraiser to support Dwayne Douglas' bid for the Democratic nomination for circuit judge in the 4th subcircuit is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Birdie McKenna's at 254 Green Bay Road in Highwood.