Russ Hartigan seeks return to the Circuit Court bench

Former Circuit Court Judge Russell W. Hartigan has announced that he will attempt to return to the bench in the 2020 election.

First appointed to the bench in September 2010, Hartigan was elected, without opposition, to a countywide vacancy in 2012. However, he stepped down in early 2017 because of "family health issues," according to his new campaign website.

Hartigan was President of the Illinois State Bar Association in the 2017-2018 bar year. The bio on his new campaign website states that Hartigan "has a rich background of community and public service" including stints as Berwyn Township Committeeman and President of Lyons Township Democratic Organization. He has also served as Lyons Township Supervisor, Trustee and Township Trustee of Schools. Hartigan was also a trustee of Village of Western Springs.

A member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Hartigan has taught classes at John Marshall Law School, Northwestern University, and the DePaul University School for New Learning. He was admitted to the practice of law in Illinois in 1976.