Madison County Circuit Judge Christopher Threlkeld of Edwardsville will run next year as a Republican candidate for the resident judgeship he currently holds by appointment.
He was first tapped by the Illinois Supreme Court and the now retired Justice Lloyd Karmeier in February 2020 to fill the vacancy of Circuit Judge Dave Hylla, who retired.
He was appointed again in December 2020 to replace Madison County Circuit Judge David Dugan, who was confirmed to serve as federal judge at the Southern District of Illinois.
According to a press release announcing his candidacy, Threlkeld serves in the court's civil division and presides over Law division cases. He has also served as the presiding judge over arbitration and other civil dockets.
While he was the presiding judge over arbitration, he established remote arbitration hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since my appointment to the circuit bench, I have worked diligently to provide a fair and respectful courtroom to all who have appeared before me," Threlkeld stated.
"The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically limited in person appearances in the courthouse. By embracing technology such as Zoom I was able to maintain a full docket and allow parties and attorneys to appear remotely so that their cases could progress seamlessly. Serving as a circuit judge is a tremendous honor, and I look forward to the privilege of continuing to serve the people of Madison County.”
Threlkeld has been licensed to practice law since 2000. He is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina and earned a master of business administration degree from SIUE.
He practiced law in Edwardsville at Lucco, Brown, Threlkeld & Dawson for 20 years before being appointed judge and has extensive trial experience. He was employed as a deputy treasurer for then Madison County Treasurer, John Shimkus, prior to practicing law.
Threlkeld is the son of Dr. Jananne Threlkeld and the late William Threlkeld and is a graduate of Edwardsville High School. He has been married to his wife, Denise, for almost 30 years and they are the parents of two, adult sons and a daughter-in-law.
He is a member of First Baptist Church, Maryville, the Edwardsville Gun Club, served in the Army National Guard, and was past president of the Madison County Bar Association and the Edwardsville Optimist Club.
His Republican endorsements include those of Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine, Treasurer Chris Slusser, Regional Superintendent of Schools Superintendent Robert Werden, Circuit Clerk Thomas McRae and Auditor David Michael, CPA.
The seat Hylla held was won last November by Republican Amy Maher, who defeated former Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons, Democrat.
Threlkeld's appointment to the Dugan vacancy ends Dec. 5, 2022, when the winner of the November 2022 election will be seated.