Madison County Chief Judge Dave Hylla will seek retention to another six year term next year.
Hylla ended speculation that he might run for an opening at the Fifth District Appellate Court, saying Tuesday that he enjoys his current job as chief judge and is honored by his recent election to chair the state's Conference of Chief Judges. He also was re-elected chief of the Third Judicial Circuit in the summer by his fellow circuit judges.
"I feel quite honored to be elected by other chief judges around the state to a two year term and hopefully I will be retained to serve that full two years," he said.
As chief judge, Hylla says he stays "very busy" being engaged in all aspects of court management locally and statewide, and while management "has its ups and downs," it's a "great job."
Hylla, 58, was first elected in 2006 as Democrat in a race against Republican Don Weber, who at the time was seated as a circuit judge by appointment to fill the vacancy created upon the retirement of circuit judge Phillip Kardis.
Voters in Madison and Bond counties elected Hylla over Weber by a margin of 56.4 to 43.6 percent.
In the 2006 election cycle, Hylla's fund-raising committee raised more than $500,000 largely from the plaintiffs' bar to Weber's approximately $230,000 which came largely from the political action commitee of the Illinois Civil Justice League.
In 2012, Hylla was retained by a margin of 65.3 to 34.7 percent. His committee raised approximately $100,000 in that cycle.
Judges running for retention don't face opponents on the ballot. They must receive at least 60 percent voter approval to be retained.