Judicial Retention Circuit Court Illinois4 min read
The Illinois Judiciary Article VII Section 6 provides for the retention of judges. Circuit court judges are retained by the voters of the circuit in which they serve. Associate judges are retained by the voters of the county in which they serve.
To be retained, a judge must receive a majority of the votes cast. If a majority of the votes cast are against retention, the judge is not retained and is removed from office.
A judge is not retained if the judge is not qualified for the office under the Constitution or if the judge has been removed from office for misconduct.
The Illinois Constitution provides that a judge may not engage in any political activity that would impair the judge’s independence, impartiality, or integrity.
The Illinois Courts Commission investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Illinois.
The Supreme Court of Illinois may remove a judge from office for misconduct.
The Supreme Court of Illinois also has the authority to censure, reprimand, or issue a warning to a judge.
The Illinois Courts Commission also investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Illinois.
The Supreme Court of Illinois may remove a judge from office for misconduct.
The Supreme Court of Illinois also has the authority to censure, reprimand, or issue a warning to a judge.
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How do Illinois judges retain their jobs?
How do Illinois judges retain their jobs?
The Illinois Constitution sets forth the manner in which judges are to be retained in office. To be retained, a judge must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the General Assembly voting separately on the question of retention. If a majority of the members of the General Assembly do not vote to retain a judge, the judge’s commission is terminated and the judge must leave office.
The procedure for voting on the retention of judges is as follows:
1. The Joint Committee on Judiciary evaluates the qualifications of each judge up for retention.
2. The Committee makes a recommendation to the full General Assembly as to whether or not each judge should be retained.
3. The full General Assembly votes on the retention of each judge.
4. A majority of the members of the General Assembly voting separately on the question of retention must vote in favor of retention for a judge to be retained.
How long is the term for a circuit judge in Illinois?
A circuit court judge in Illinois is elected to a term of six years.
How many judicial circuits are there in Illinois?
There are six judicial circuits in Illinois.
What is a resident circuit judge in Illinois?
A resident circuit judge in Illinois is a judge who is assigned to a judicial circuit in Illinois. Resident circuit judges are responsible for hearing a variety of cases in their circuit, including criminal, civil, and family law cases. Resident circuit judges also preside over preliminary hearings and arraignments.
In order to become a resident circuit judge in Illinois, a person must be a member of the Illinois bar and must have been a practicing attorney for at least five years. In addition, the person must be at least 30 years old and must have lived in Illinois for at least three years.
Resident circuit judges are elected to their position by the voters in their circuit. They serve six-year terms and may be re-elected.
How much do Illinois circuit judges make?
Illinois circuit judges earned a median salary of $158,000 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The salaries of Illinois circuit judges are set by the state legislature and vary depending on the county in which the judge serves.
The highest paid circuit judges in Illinois in 2016 were those in Cook County, who earned a median salary of $187,000. Judges in the lowest-paying counties earned a median salary of $128,000.
The workload of Illinois circuit judges varies depending on the county. Judges in densely populated counties may have more cases to hear, while those in less populated counties may have less work.
In Illinois, circuit judges are elected to six-year terms.
Can a retired judge practice law in Illinois?
Can a retired judge practice law in Illinois?
Yes, a retired judge can practice law in Illinois. The Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct allows a retired judge to practice law in Illinois, as long as the retired judge does not do so in a capacity that would require the judge to preside over a case.
How are circuit judges chosen in Illinois?
How are circuit judges chosen in Illinois?
Circuit judges are chosen in Illinois through a merit-based process. Candidates who wish to become a circuit judge in Illinois must first submit an application to the Illinois Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is a bipartisan group that reviews the qualifications of all judicial candidates in the state.
Candidates who are chosen to become circuit judges in Illinois must then go through a confirmation process. This process includes an interview with the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee is responsible for reviewing the qualifications of all judicial candidates and recommending candidates for appointment to the full Illinois Senate.
If the Illinois Senate approves the nomination, the candidate is then appointed as a circuit judge in Illinois.
