Nineteen attorneys have applied for two Madison County associate judge positions that have been sitting vacant for nearly six months.
Deadline to apply for the vacancies of former associate judges Philip Alfeld, who retired July 5, and Thomas Chapman, who retired July 21, was last week, but voting for their replacements has not yet begun.
The process is in the hands of the Third Judicial Circuit's nine elected circuit judges who will cast secret ballots to select appointments. Ballots were expected to have been received by the circuit judges this week.
To earn appointment, a candidate needs to receive at least five votes. If no candidate receives the minimum needed for appointment, subsequent rounds of balloting take place until winners are determined.
There are a total of 13 associate judge positions in the Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Madison and Bond counties. All associate judges are re-appointed every four years; that process will take place in May 2023. Even the judges appointed to the Alfeld and Chapman vacancies will have to re-apply.
Here are the applicants currently under consideration:
Morgan E. Hudson, 36, of Godfrey, is an assistant Madison County state's attorney. She was praised by State's Attorney Tom Haine following the triple murder conviction of Brady Witcher in January, saying she was integral to the successful prosecution of Witcher. "(Hudson)...did an excellent job on behalf of the victims of this terrible crime," he said. Hudson is a Democrat.
John G. Kochanski, 57, is a solo practicioner in Collinsville. He has previously applied for associate judge.
Dustin A. Maguire, 35, of Troy, operates Maguire Law in Edwardsville, which focuses on family law. "He is a firm believer in the mediation process and strives to resolve family disputes outside of the courtroom," his website states. Maguire is a Republican.
Christina M. Milien, 40, of Alton, practices with the Mandarich Law Group in Chicago, according to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. The firm handles collections litigation. She is licensed in five states.
Andrew J. Rankin, 42, of Glenarm, is a divorce attorney with Stange Law in Belleville. As a partner in the firm, he manages all Illinois offices and the firm's Arnold, Mo. office.
Michael R. Wesley, 46, of Bethalto, operates the Law Office of Michael R. Wesley in Wood River, a practice that focues on personal injury and family law. He is a Republican.
Justin S. Zimmerman, 35, of Edwardsville, is a partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith focusing on commercial litigation, product liability, premises liability, automotive claims, and general practice matters. He is a Republican.
Emily J. Johnson, 42, of Godfrey, is an assistant Madison County state's attorney serving as Civil Division chief. She was appointed in March. Prior to joining the SAO she was managing partner of Hunter & Johnson in Alton. She is a Republican.
Deanna L. Litzenburg, 48, of Trenton, is vice president and shareholder with Mathis, Marifian & Richter in Belleville. She focuses her practice in civil litigation, commercial litigation, premises liability, medical malpractice, employment law, creditors’ rights, workers’ compensation and alternative dispute resolution. She is a Republican.
Holly A. Marcum, 45, of Godfrey, practices at Keith Short & Associates in Alton. She focuses on business and commercial litigation, estate planning and probate matters. She is a Republican.
Heather L. Mueller-Jones, 44, of Maryville, is of counsel with Heyl Royster in Edwardsville. Her focus includes representing individuals, business and governmental entities defending civil litigation claims in Illinois and Missouri. She is a Republican.
Joseph N. Reames, 49, of Glen Carbon, operates the Law Office of Joseph N. Reames in Wood River, which provides a range of services including criminal defense, personal injury and family law. He is a Republican.
Sean B.T. Williams, 38, of Alton, is an assistant Madison County state's attorney serving as chief of the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division. He is a Democrat.
Ryan A. Kemper is an assistant Madison County state's attorney.
Chad M. Loughrey, 44, of Edwardsville, is an assistant Madison County state's attorney, serving as first assistant. He is a Democrat.
Paul A. Marks, 55, of Glen Carbon, is an attorney with Sivia Business & Legal Services in Edwardsville, a firm specializing in estate planning, elder law, special needs, real estate, personal injury and business matters. He is a Democrat.
Donna S. Polinske, 56, of Edwardsville, operates Polinske & Associates in Edwardsville, a firm specializing in criminal defense, cannabis delivery defense. civil asset forfeiture, DUI defense, traffic violations and family law. She is a Republican.
Kathryn M. Warren, 40, of Troy, is an assistant Madison County state's attorney, serving as chief of the Criminal Division.
Leslie A. Wood, 55, of Glen Carbon, operates Wood Law Office in Glen Carbon. She is a Democrat, who lost to Republican Stephen Stobbs for circuit judge in 2020.