Editor's note: This story has been updated.
The Illinois Supreme Court selected Steven Bost to be appointed as an at-large circuit judge in the First Judicial Circuit at the recommendation of Justice David Overstreet.
“Steven Bost is an impressive public servant who has served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate both as an active duty Marine and now as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves,” Overstreet stated in a press release. “Besides representing clients for several years in private practice in southern Illinois, he has more recently served as the Chief Public Defender in Jackson County and has earned an outstanding reputation that transcends party lines. He will make an excellent judge.”
Bost will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brad K. Bleyer on Aug. 3, 2020.
His appointment will begin March 1 and will conclude on Dec. 5, 2022, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2022 general election.
“I am grateful and humbled by this opportunity and would like to thank Justice Overstreet and the committee for this appointment,” Bost stated. “I look forward to serving the residents of the First Judicial Circuit. I also would like to thank my beautiful wife Betsy for all her support over the years.”
Bost has served as the Chief Public Defender in Jackson County since 2019. From 2015 to 2019, he was an elected Jackson County Board Member for the Third District.
Prior to his time as public defender, Bost was in private practice. He owned his own firm and was partner at Miller & Bost, Attorneys at Law LLP.
From 2006 to 2013, Bost served as a marine officer and judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps. He continues to serve in this role in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Bost earned his bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University and his juris doctor from the Southern Illinois University School of Law.
Bost is also experienced in aviation. He serves as a part-time lecturer at Southern Illinois University in the Legal Aspects of Aviation, Aviation Management and Flight. He was selected as a 2016 Edgar Fellow by the Institute of Government Affairs at the University of Illinois.
Bost is a former president of the Jackson County Bar Association and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Public Defender Association.
Bost is the son of Illinois Congressman Mike Bost, who represents District 12.
Overstreet recommended Bost’s appointment to the full court following a review of applicants by an eight-person screening committee. The committee included retired judge Mark Clarke, retired judge Terry Foster, retired judge Carolyn Smoot, former U.S. Attorney Courtney Cox of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, Southern Illinois University School of Law professor Christopher Behan, attorney Michael Burke of the Southern Illinois Law Center, managing attorney Diane Goffinet for the Southern Regional Office of the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and attorney Kelly Phelps of Jelliffe, Doerge & Phelps.
The First Judicial Circuit includes Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson counties.