Illinois Supreme Court appoints two to subcircuit vacancies

The Illinois Supreme Court filled two subcircuit vacancies this week.

On Monday, June 29, the Court appointed David L. Kelly to the Portman-Brown vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit. The appointment is effective July 9 and expires December 5, 2022.

According to ARDC, Kelly (pictured here) has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2001 and is currently employed by the State.

Kelly was a candidate for a 5th Subcircuit vacancy in 2018 (the accompanying photo comes from his 2018 campaign website). At that time, Kelly was a solo practitioner, handling criminal defense and civil matters including real estate, family law, personal injury, and housing matters. According to his 2018 campaign bio, Kelly has served as a board member of the Cook County Bar Association and the Bronzeville Neighborhood Collaborative, volunteered at legal aid clinics, and established local block clubs. Kelly began his legal career as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, serving in that office for six years.

On Tuesday, June 30, the Court appointed John Wellington Wilson to the 1st Subcircuit vacancy created by the election of Judge Sharon O. Johnson to the Appellate Court.

Licensed as an attorney since 1996, according to ARDC, Wilson has been working as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender.

Wilson's appointment is effective August 13 and terminates on December 5, 2022.

Both Wilson and Kelly have previously applied for associate judgeships. Both are in the current applicant pool.