In an order entered yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge John C. Griffin to the Appellate Court vacancy created by the pending resignation of Justice John B. Simon.
The appointment is effective May 2, and will terminate on December 7, 2020.
Judge Griffin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. He was in private practice for 31 years, primarily handling real estate, zoning and development-related matters, until March 2008, when he was appointed to the Circuit Court bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Griffin won election to a 15th Subcircuit vacancy in 2010. The Chicago Council of Lawyers bestowed a 'Well Qualified' rating on Judge Griffin when he sought retention in 2016.
2 hours ago
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DOES THIS CREATE A 15TH SUBCIRCUIT VACANCY, OR DOES HE GET TO GO BACK TO HIS CIRCUIT COURT SEAT IF HE LOSES ELECTION FOR APPELLATE COURT?
Someone smarter than me will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is an outright appointment to the Appellate Court, thus creating a vacancy in the 15th Subcircuit. Sometimes, as you know, the Supreme Court assigns a circuit judge to serve on the Appellate Court, but those orders are worded differently -- and the order here does not contain that language.
So, no, there's nowhere to go back to if Justice Griffin seeks election to the Appellate Court but comes up short.
He has been appointed to the John Simon vacancy and must run in the next election to keep his Appellate Court spot. If he should loose he returns to the Circuit Court. No vacancy in the 15th subcircuit untill he is elected.
Jack, you are correct. An appointment means you give up your circuit court position. An assignment means you still keep that position and merely serve at the will of the Supreme Court in the Appellate Court. There is indeed a vacancy for the 15th for 2020.
I know of only one judge in the past 10 years who was assigned to a vacant elected position and was able to return when he lost. The appointment terminates the circuit court term of a judge.
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