Associate Judge Brown appointed resident circuit judge of Randolph County

The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed Associate Judge Richard A. Brown to fill the circuit court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William A. Schuwerk Jr., resident circuit judge of Randolph County in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.

The appointment is effective today.

Judge Brown is a lifelong resident of Randolph County, served as the county's public defender for 18 years, maintained a private law practice in the county for more than 25 years and has served as an associate judge since 2004. He has received excellent judicial advisory poll results conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association, according to a press release from the Illinois Supremem Court.

Brown was the only candidate seeking to succeed Judge Schuwerk, and will be unopposed on the November ballot.

Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier made the recommendation to the full court after Chief Judge John Baricevic of the 20th Circuit requested that the vacancy be filled before the election.