Kreisler
John E. Kreisler of Fairview Heights has been elected vice chairman of the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board by fellow board members.
Kreisler, president of Warma Witter Kreisler & Associates Insurance in O'Fallon, said it may be the first time a non-lawyer has held the position.
The Judicial Inquiry Board is an independent agency that investigates and prosecutes allegations of judicial misconduct or incapacity against Illinois state court judges.
The board, comprised of two judges, three lawyers and four public persons, receives approximately 50 to 60 complaints a month, Kreisler said. Each complaint averages 40-50 pages, but some have been as long as 500 pages, he said.
"We go through them and decide to investigate or close," Kreisler said. "It's like reading a brief."
"It's a lot of work for no pay."
Kreisler said he travels to an office in Chicago's Thompson Center on the second Friday of every month to deliberate and vote on pending matters.
When warranted the board files complaints against judges with the Illinois Courts Commission.
Kreisler was first appointed to a four-year term on the board by former Gov. George Ryan in 2002. He was reappointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006. Members are limited to two terms.
The board's chairman is Circuit Judge Donald Hudson of Kane County. Judges named to the board are appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Kreisler has been with his insurance agency, a fixture in O'Fallon, since 1978.
The company writes commercial business for a number of area municipalities including O'Fallon, Belleville, Fairview Heights, Cahokia, Highland, Caseyville, as well as St. Clair County and Southwestern Illinois College.