Published: November 09, 2009 08:07 pm      

20 apply for judge’s seat

DANVILLE — Almost two dozen people applied for a vacant associate judge’s position in Vermilion County Circuit Court.

Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Tracy Resch said 20 people submitted applications for the seat of associate judge vacated by the retirement of longtime associate judge James Borbely. His last day on the bench was Oct. 30.

Resch said the number of applicants was customary for a associate judge’s position. A similar situation in Coles County Circuit Court in recent years netted 23 applicants.

The impending vacancy was posted throughout the month of October. As part of the process, the existing judges in the Fifth Judicial Circuit will vote on the applicants

Resch said he is asking the Illinois Administrative Office of the Courts to initiate the balloting process for the 20 applicants. Letters will be issued to the Fifth Circuit Judges in the next 14 days.

The judges will then have 14 days in which to vote on an applicant to take the vacant associate judge’s position on the bench.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit covers Vermilion County as well as the counties of Coles, Edgar, Cumberland and Clark.

Resch said the hope was that a new associate judge could be in place as early as Dec. 1.