Duane Bailey
Madison County assistant state's attorney Duane Bailey has been elected associate judge to fill the vacancy created when Judge Barbara Crowder was elected to the circuit bench.
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis made the announcement Thursday. The nine circuit judges of the Third Circuit elected Bailey.
Bailey graduated from Alton Senior High School in 1973 and graduated with a B.S. degree from Illinois State in 1977. He earned his law degree in 1981 from Northwestern University.
"I look forward to expanding my role as a public servant, now as a judge, and I am thankful and honored that the circuit judges have confidence in me," Bailey said in a press release.
"I will join this court with a humble promise to put forth my best effort for the people of Madison County."
Bailey has been an assistant state's attorney for Madison County since 1981, working in the Criminal Felony division and Drug Court.
He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Character and Fitness Committee.
Bailey is on the United Way board of directors (former chairman) and a former board member of Oasis Women's Center.
He has been chairman of the Urban League, and has served on the advisory board for Community Counseling in Alton.
He also is a trustee for the Unity Fellowship Church.
"After a thorough review of a number of applications from excellent candidates, the Circuit Judges of the Third Judicial Circuit have selected Duane Bailey to serve as our next Associate Judge," Callis said.
"In keeping with our adherence to the highest level of public service to find the best-qualified and most able individual judges, our Circuit Judges have chosen not only an experienced public servant, but also a respected community leader," she said.
The other applicants for the vacancy were Donald M. Flack, Thomas Gibbons, Allen F. Gilliard Jr., Susan F. Grammar, John C. Haynes, Eric D. Jackstadt, Keith A. Jensen, Amy Maher, Martin J. Mengarelli, Dennis J. Orsey, Greg E. Roosevelt and Paul A. Welch.