Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier
As Madison County Circuit Judge Philip Kardis passes into retirement, a significant change is in store for his replacement.
Sources tell The Record that Granite City will no longer carry an “L” docket (cases seeking damages in excess of $50,000), but may continue to hold traffic and small claims court. Kardis’ courtroom was located inside City Hall in Granite City on Edison Avenue.
Last week, all of Kardis' case files--which amounted to approximately 35 boxes--were brought back to the courthouse on Main Street in Edwardsville and stored with all others.
It remains unclear as to which circuit judge will preside over the mountain of Kardis' cases.
Sources believe that most will be assigned to Circuit Judge Daniel Stack, who among all civil judges has the smallest caseload. Stack is junior in seniority to fellow Circuit Judges George Moran, Nicholas Byron and Andy Matoesian--who handle civil cases.
Stack also heads Madison County’s large asbestos docket which he assumed from Byron's oversight on Sept. 8, 2004.
Kardis' replacement, who will be appointed to temporarily fill the vacancy until Dec. 4, 2006, will be recommended by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier. The full court traditionally approves appointment by the justice in which a vacancy exists.
The general election in November 2006 will determine who serves the next term.
Though the Third Circuit encompasses Bond and Madison Counties, Kardis' replacement must reside in Madison County--as the appointment follows the residence of the retiring judge.
Illinois law requires that there is at least one "resident" Circuit Judge elected by and residing in each county of the circuit.
Madison County has three resident judges: Ann Callis, Nicholas Byron and the new judge to be named.
All circuit judges can hear cases from any county within their circuit. In Bond County, circuit Judge John Knight is the resident circuit judge.
Any attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois and who lives in Madison County can apply for the vacancy by obtaining an application from Chief Judge Edward Ferguson or Justice Karmeier.
Applications must be turned in to Karmeier by Sept. 20.