Our Organization

May 21, 2013: Robert A. Zastany, Jr., Principal Probation Officer with the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Lake County, Illinois, recently earned the title of Fellow of the Institute for Court Management (ICM). He achieved this status after having successfully completed four phases of rigorous requirements of ICM’s Fellows Program. “The Court is very proud of Rob Zastany, said Chief Judge Fred Foreman, and we congratulate him on this prestigious accomplishment. Rob joins five colleagues in the Circuit who have also received this honor.”...

April 5, 2013: As part of the 19th Judicial Circuit’s celebration of Law Day U.S.A., the Circuit will bestow Liberty Bell Awards in Memory of Judge Thomas R. Smoker, a judge in Lake County who passed away in 2004. The honorees will be acknowledged at a meeting of the Lake County Bar Association to be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013...

April 4, 2013: Circuit Judge Jay W. Ukena, Presiding Judge of the Family Division, has been reappointed to serve on the Child Support Advisory Committee for the State of Illinois. This will be Judge Ukena’s third one year term. The judge received notice of his reappointment from the Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Julie Hamos...

February 2, 2013: Snowy, slick roads did not deter high school students from gathering at the Lake County Courthouse on Saturday morning, February 2nd, to compete in the 9th Annual Lake County High School Mock Trial Invitational. The competing teams this year included Boylan Catholic, Carmel Catholic, Deerfield, Highland Park, Libertyville, and Morgan Park Academy. The goal of the competition for the school teams is to be judged as the best and receive the first place award...

February 2, 2013: The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit held its employees awards ceremony on Thursday which is an annual event to recognize employees for their continued dedication and commitment to provide the highest quality service to our families in the Lake County community. Chief Judge Foreman welcomed all present and thanked them for their hard work and overall performance of a job well done for the circuit...

January 8, 2013: “On behalf of the members of the Lake County Board and the judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, I am pleased to announce the completion of the construction of an additional courtroom located on the first floor of the courthouse,” said Chief Judge Fred Foreman. “The courtroom, known as Courtroom C-102, is a family courtroom that will provide much needed additional space to hear family matters and help expedite the process of handling family cases.”...

December 26, 2012: Fred Foreman received a unanimous vote of the other fourteen sitting circuit judges at a recent meeting that has ensured him a second term to serve as Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit. “I am elated and honored to have been given the vote of confidence by my fellow jurists to continue as Chief Judge of the judicial branch serving the Lake County community,” commented Judge Foreman...

December 21, 2012: Two Lake County attorneys received a very special holiday surprise when they heard the voice of Chief Judge Fred Foreman on the phone advising them that they had been selected as the next associate judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit. Judge Foreman had welcomed the news from Michael Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announcing that Elizabeth Rochford and Joseph Salvi had received the necessary votes to serve as associate judges. “We congratulate these well respected and experienced attorneys,” said Judge Foreman, “and we look forward to their joining the Lake County bench very soon.”...

December 11, 2012: The Nominating Committee of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit has met and selected the names of the following four qualified applicants for placement on the ballot for the two Associate Judge vacancies in this Circuit...

November 7, 2012: The 19th Judicial Circuit Court’s website was among the 2012 top ten court websites award winners announced by The Forum on the Advancement of Court Technology (FACT). Each of the ten winners was recognized for commitment to electronic public access and services. A National Association for Court Management (NACM) special committee, FACT, founded in 1989, is a consortium of private-sector companies and court representatives dedicated to strengthening the dialogue between courts who use technology and companies who provide technology...

November 5, 2012: Lake County juvenile probation officers were honored recently at this year’s annual fall meeting of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association (IPCSA), said Chief Judge Fred Foreman. “The 19th Circuit is very proud of its probation officers who continue to demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedicated service to the organization while having to work with increased caseloads and demands,” said Judge Foreman. “We are pleased to have our staff recognized throughout the state for their leadership and all of their hard work.”...

November 1, 2012: Circuit Judge Christopher Starck was recently selected as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts. The nomination of Judge Starck was approved at the annual meeting of the membership and the Meeting of the Board of Directors held this month in Pittsburgh...

October 10, 2012: The Supreme Court of Illinois has authorized the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy that exists in the office of Associate Judge due to the retirement of Associate Judge Wallace B. Dunn, effective November 4, 2012 and a conditional notice of an anticipated vacancy for the office of Associate Judge resulting from the general election on November 6, 2012. The conditional vacancy is anticipated to occur upon the election of either Associate Judge Nancy Schuster Waites or Associate Judge Thomas M. Schippers, the sole candidates opposing one another in the general election...

September 21, 2012: Under the local rules of the 19th Judicial Circuit, the Chief Judge shall assign duties and responsibilities, as he deems appropriate, to circuit and associate judges. This includes naming presiding and supervising judges of the four Court Divisions; namely, the Law Division, the Family Division, the Juvenile Division, and the Criminal Division...

September 19, 2012: “We have just learned that a Federal grant has been awarded to continue the operation and services of the Family Visitation Center of Lake County,” announced Chief Judge Fred Foreman. “The grant, disbursed by the Department of Justice, will not only help maintain the existing Center but will also allow it to expand services for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and/or sexual abuse.”...

September 12, 2012: Christen L. Bishop will become Lake County’s newest associate judge, according to Chief Judge Fred Foreman. Judge Foreman received a call this afternoon from Michael Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announcing that Bishop had received the majority of votes of the circuit judges to serve as an associate judge. “I am very happy for Ms. Bishop and her family, and we look forward to her joining the bench in the very near future,” said Foreman. Ms. Bishop’s legal abilities, fair mindedness and years of practical courtroom exposure and experience will serve her well on the bench.” Christen Bishop will fill the vacancy created by the Illinois Supreme Court appointment of George Bridges to circuit judge...

August 30, 2012: The Circuit Judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit have met and named the finalists for the associate judge vacancy created by the appointment of George Bridges to circuit judge by the Illinois Supreme Court...

August 23, 2012: Chief Judge Fred Foreman announces the participation of various partners of the Lake County legal community to work together with the Library of Congress on its program, the Veterans History Project. On Friday morning, October 26, 2012, 18 combat war veterans will be interviewed at the Lake County courthouse in Waukegan and have their oral histories recorded by official court reporters of the 19th Judicial Circuit who in turn will produce transcripts of their interviews. The transcripts eventually will be archived at the Library of Congress. It is anticipated that there will be recurring participation in the program by Lake County several times in the future as well...

August 7, 2012: Robert Verborg, a senior research analyst for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, has been invited to attend the Public Performance Measurement and Reporting Network Conference on September 21, 2012 in New Jersey. The conference’s theme, “Great Expectations: Getting Results From Performance Budgeting, Measurement and Reporting Systems,” will be addressed through presentations by scholars and practitioners to help leaders convert great expectations into demonstrable performance gains. The conference will consist of eleven panel sessions and over fifty academic and practitioner speakers...

August 1, 2012: Chief Judge Fred Foreman received official word from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that nineteen attorneys have timely filed their applications for the associate judge vacancy created by the appointment of George Bridges to circuit judge by the Illinois Supreme Court effective July 12, 2012...

June 22, 2012: Late Wednesday afternoon Chief Judge Fred Foreman received word from Springfield that Associate Judge George Bridges had been appointed Circuit Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit by the Illinois Supreme Court. “I believe Judge Bridges, with over seventeen years of judicial experience on the bench, makes him an excellent choice as the next circuit judge,” said Chief Judge Foreman...

May 25, 2012: Robert A. Zastany, Jr., a principal probation officer in adult probation, has recently been selected by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to attend this year’s Technology Institute for Corrections. The program is presented by NIJ’s Office of Science and Technology (NIJ/OST). Participants will learn about NIJ’s initiatives in the area of corrections, and the goal is to further the sharing of information between correctional agencies...

May 24, 2012: Chief Judge Fred Foreman announced the establishment of a Small Claims Mediation Program in Lake County that will apply to small claims and eviction cases. The program will open in June and offer free mediation services by volunteer members of the Lake County Bar Association to people acting without an attorney in small claims and other consumer litigation. The mediations will take place at the courthouse and, if the matter is settled, will reduce court appearances by pro se litigants. Mediations will begin in early June for cases in Courtrooms 306 and 307...

April 24, 2012: On Tuesday, April 24, 2012, the Circuit Court of Lake County presented Liberty Bell Awards to an individual and an organization for outstanding commitment and service to the community. The presentation took place during the Lake County Bar Association luncheon meeting held at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.

February 28, 2012: Circuit Judge Jay W. Ukena has been reappointed to the Child Support Advisory Committee for the State of Illinois. The judge was notified recently by the Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Julie Hamos...

February 27, 2012: A crisp sunny morning, and despite the cold weather, the 8th Annual Lake County Mock Trial Invitational took place as scheduled at the Lake County Courthouse on Saturday, February 25th. Shortly after 7:30 a.m., students from Cook, Kane, Winnebago, and Lake Counties began arriving in anticipation of securing the highest number of points to be named the first place winner in the mock trial competition...

January 27, 2012: Each year the Chief Judge presides over a ceremony to recognize staff for their contributions to the organization and overall job performance. Employees are nominated by their peers and selected monthly by the Employee of the Month Committee. An Employee of the Year is chosen from the twelve monthly honorees. In addition, there are four titled special awards presented during this annual gathering that are listed below. The event is attended by judges, probation officers, court reporters, technology specialists, and clerical and administrative staff...

January 24, 2012: The Supreme Court issued Court Order M.R. 2634 today allowing the use of cameras in the courtrooms of Circuit Courts in Illinois on an experimental basis, effective immediately. Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti of Lake County stated, “The Circuit Judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit will be reviewing the policy and discussing its application in Lake County to determine if it is appropriate for the Circuit...

December 6, 2011: Fred Foreman, currently the Acting Chief Judge and former Presiding Judge of the Felony Division, has recently been named the Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. His new title and term of office will become effective as of May 1, 2012, and he will serve as the chief judge for a term of one year. Foreman was elected unanimously by the other twelve circuit judges of Lake County...

November 10, 2011: Winnie Webber, Director of the Judicial Information Services Division (JIS) for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, has been elected as a member of the board of directors of the court information technology officers consortium (CITOC), according to Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti. “Winnie is our go to person who, with her staff, ensures that all court systems; e.g., internet, legal research, email and mobile technology are functioning properly on a daily basis. Because of Winnie’s expertise, the 19th Circuit has always been on the cutting edge of technological advancement in providing information and access to the community which supports the mission of the Court.”...

November 9, 2011: The Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies Center for State Policy and Leadership of the University of Illinois at Springfield recently awarded the Innovative Leadership Award to the 19th Judicial Circuit’s Division of Juvenile Probation and Detention Services’ Database and Technology Analysis Focus Group (DATA). The award is presented annually to a program with clearly defined goals in detention or probation that exemplifies leadership in offender program development with demonstrated evidence of effective outcomes...

October 13, 2011: Circuit Judge Diane Winter welcomed over four hundred students from Lake County schools who were given the opportunity to attend the Red Ribbon Rally held Wednesday morning, October 12, at the College of Lake County. The event is sponsored by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in partnership with the Lake County Regional Office of Education and the College of Lake County. The annual Rally is presented to middle school aged students to increase their awareness of the unfavorable effects that tobacco, alcohol and drugs can have on their lives...

September 21, 2011: “Lake County’s Response to Sexual Assault” is the topic for the Family Violence Symposium on Thursday, September 22, at the College of Lake County presented by the 19th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC)...

July 22, 2011: Young male residents enrolled in the Family and Community Engaged in Treatment (FACE-IT) program in Vernon Hills had the opportunity today to hear a special guest speaker talk about his military career and life experiences while serving in the United States Army. His name is Alfred V. Rascon and he is a National Medal of Honor recipient...

June 20, 2011: Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti announced today that she has received a letter from the National Association of Counties (NACo) indicating that two programs developed and implemented in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit are being awarded the 2011 NACo Achievement Award. “The Circuit is very proud of the fact that it is being acknowledged for the hard work, commitment and innovative ideas that are eventually recognized as best practices programs,” said Chief Judge Rossetti. “These concepts are cost effective, improve services and provide for a more efficient court system.” ...

May 19, 2011: Lake County Circuit Judge Jorge Ortiz was the keynote speaker at the 55th Annual Conference of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Illinois held recently in Waukegan...

May 18, 2011: “Not an attorney; however, Marci Jumisko, a director of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, recently had the unique and distinguished opportunity to speak in the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. ,” said Chief Judge Rossetti. “Marci is very resourceful, and we are extremely proud of her and her work as the Circuit’s Director of Judicial Administrative Services. We congratulate her on this noteworthy event!” . . .

May 12, 2011: On June 1, 2011, a new alternative will be available in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court for youthful offenders charged with ordinance violations. In coordination with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, the College of Lake County’s Judicial Services has developed the Behavioral Choices Module (BCM)...

April 27, 2011: On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, the Circuit Court of Lake County presented Liberty Bell Awards to an individual and an organization for outstanding commitment and service to the community. The Liberty Bell Award originated in the 1960’s in Michigan to honor extraordinary service to the justice system and dedication to the furtherance of the administration of justice...

April 25, 2011: Victoria A. Rossetti, Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, was re-elected by her fellow Circuit Judges to serve a second term as the authoritative leader of the Circuit Court of Lake County. The unanimous vote to re-elect Rossetti took place at the judges’ out of courthouse meeting held last week in Lake County.

March 23, 2011: The Repatriate Demonstration Project and the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court were recently presented with the Outstanding Service Project Award by the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism. The award was given in recognition and appreciation of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s outreach efforts to assist repatriates, persons who are sentenced to probation or community corrections who volunteer to complete a structured program of discipline and education...

February 10, 2011: Circuit Judge Jay W. Ukena received notice recently of his appointment to the 2011 Child Support Advisory Committee for the State of Illinois. The letter came from Julie Hamos, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The committee was created to review child support policies and operational topics related to the statewide child support program. The committee consists of members representing the legislature, state’s attorneys, attorney general, clerks of the courts and community-based groups. Members are appointed by the Director and serve one year terms...

February 1, 2011: The empty hallways and courtrooms came alive early Saturday morning as high school students from Lake County and surrounding suburbs gathered to compete against one another to gain top honors as the best competitive mock trial team in northern Illinois. Several of these teams will go on to compete at the state level in Springfield in March...

January 27, 2011: Scouts arrived at the courthouse early Saturday morning in anticipation of learning about the rule of law and how laws protect our fundamental rights. The Law Merit Badge Day program is made possible through the collaborative effort of Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti, Sheriff Mark Curran, Coroner Dr. Richard Keller, and the College of Lake County in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Illinois Council...

December 21, 2010: It was Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti who helped make a wish come true today for judge finalist James K. Simonian of Libertyville. Judge Rossetti received a call from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts advising her that the ballots had been counted and that Simonian had been elected the next associate judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. He will fill the vacancy created by the Illinois Supreme Court appointment of Daniel Shanes to circuit judge...

December 14, 2010: The Circuit Judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit have met and named the finalists for the associate judge vacancy created by the Illinois Supreme Court appointment of Daniel B. Shanes to circuit judge...

November 24, 2010: Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti received official word from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that sixteen attorneys have timely filed their applications for the associate judge vacancy created by The Honorable Daniel B. Shanes’ appointment to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of The Honorable Raymond J. McKoski, Circuit Judge...

Williamsburg, VA: Robert A. Zastany, executive director of the Administrative Office of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Lake County, Ill., will be inducted into the Warren E. Burger Society during the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) Annual Recognition Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 19. The luncheon, which will be held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington, D.C., will be hosted by Texas Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, chair of NCSC’s Board of Directors...

October 28, 2010 - “Lake County’s cognitive outreach program and adult probation officers received several honors recently at the annual meeting of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association (IPCSA),” said Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti. “The 19th Circuit is extremely proud to have a staff who continues to make ingenious and noteworthy contributions in the probation field that are ultimately recognized and implemented by other jurisdictions throughout the state.”

October 20, 2010 - The Supreme Court of Illinois has authorized the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit to post a notice for a vacancy which exists in the office of Associate Judge. This position will be the result of the upcoming appointment of Daniel B. Shanes to a circuit judge. Applications are now being accepted for the vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit...

October 15, 2010 - “It is my pleasure to announce today that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Associate Judge Daniel B. Shanes as Circuit Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit,” said Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti. “Dan Shanes is an excellent selection and possesses outstanding qualities – fairness, judicial temperament, experience, a scholar and one who is highly respected in the legal community.” ...

October 5, 2010 - Circuit Judge Raymond “Ray” McKoski has made it official, according to Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti. “On Monday, September 27, 2010, I received a letter from Judge McKoski indicating that he will not be seeking retention in November and will be retiring at the end of his term on December 5, 2010,” said Judge Rossetti...

August 11, 2010 - Winnie Webber, Director of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court’s Judicial Information Services, was recently notified that she had been accepted as a participant in the annual week-long 2010 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Corrections Technology Institute (CXTI). “Winnie applied for the program and was one of only 25 representatives selected from around the country,” said Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti. “Our circuit is fortunate to have a Judicial Information Services division which works to improve communications and maximize efficiency in our workplace.”...

August 5, 2010: Circuit Judge Jorge Ortiz will be a guest speaker at the 2010 National Child Support Enforcement Association Annual Conference and Expo which will be held August 9-11 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers...

July 29, 2010: Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti is proud and excited to announce that the Coloring Book Project undertaken a number of years ago by the Circuit Court of Lake County is still impacting youth – this time, however, outside of Lake County.

July 28, 2010: Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti is proud to announce that Robert Zastany, Executive Director of the Administrative Office of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, was honored by the Institute of Court Management of the National Center for State Courts on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, by being awarded the ICM Fellow Star Award. The Star Award is conferred on an ICM Fellow who demonstrates excellence in the advancement of court administration through leadership and education. Once each year, the Vice President of ICM accepts nominations of ICM Fellows to be considered for the Star Award. After a review of the nominations, the Vice President of ICM selects and announces the Star Award winner during the annual meeting of the National Association of Court Management.

July 19, 2010: Chief Judge Victoria A. Rossetti is proud to announce that Marci Jumisko, Director of Administrative Services for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, has been asked to serve on the Phase II Education Design Committee for the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management (ICM). This committee, comprised of court leaders from around the country, has been charged with reviewing the curriculum for the three-week in-residence portion of ICM’s Court Executive Development Program (CEDP)...

May 21, 2010: Winnie Webber, Director of the Judicial Information Systems for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, has earned the title of Fellow of the Institute for Court anagement (ICM). She achieved this status after having completed the requirements of ICM’s Court Executive Development Program (CEDP). “We are ery proud of Winnie, said Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti, and we congratulate her on this prestigious accomplishment.”

May 5, 2010: Circuit Court Judge Jorge Ortiz was the guest speaker and also one of the honorees recognized at the First Annual Men of Vision Awards Ceremony held recently at the College of Lake County. The Men of Vision is a new organization at the college dedicated to promoting and celebrating the academic achievement, leadership, community service, character and success of its members.

March 18, 2010: Chief Judge James Booras is pleased to announce the names of the recipients of the 2010 Liberty Bell Awards. Since 1996, the Circuit Court of Lake County has presented the Liberty Bell Award to both, an individual and an organization for their outstanding commitment and service to the community. This year the Circuit Court has recognized two individuals as co-recipients; namely, attorneys David P. Leibowitz and Douglas W. Stiles. The organization being recognized is the Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Mr. Leibowitz has offices in Waukegan and Kenosha. Mr. Stiles’ law firm is located in Waukegan. The office of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. is headquartered in Champaign and has satellite offices in locations including Chicago and Libertyville.

February 19, 2010: “There is no one more deserving to receive the Employee of the Year Award for 2009 than Keith Cooprider,” announced Chief Judge James Booras. “He is highly respected by his co-workers and the judiciary, and he is recognized for his professionalism, expertise and dedication in the field of probation.”

February 18, 2010: Chief Judge James Booras received official word this morning from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts advising him that all ballots have been tabulated and Christopher B. Morozin has been elected as the next associate judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. “His legal ability, experience and good judgment will make him an excellent addition to the Lake County bench,” said Chief Judge James Booras. Morozin will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Patrick N. Lawler.

February 16, 2010: A self help desk set up to assist persons who want to establish a guardianship of a minor/s is now functioning in the courthouse. The purpose of the help desk is to provide assistance to pro se (self represented) petitioners in filling out the necessary paperwork for guardianship and to help them understand the court process.

February 8, 2010: The Circuit Judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit have met and named the finalists for the associate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Patrick N. Lawler.

February 2, 2010: A chilly morning did not dissuade an excited group of Scout attendees from arriving at the courthouse last Saturday to spend the next several daylight hours listening and learning about the rule of law. Their participation in the Law Merit Badge Day program is made possible through the collaborative effort of Chief Judge James Booras, Sheriff Mark Curran, Coroner Dr. Richard Keller, and the College of Lake County in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Illinois Council. This year 79 Scouts attended the annual one day event who represented Potawatomi, North Star, Aptakisic, North Woods and Fort Dearborn districts.

December 30, 2009: Chief Judge James K. Booras received official notice from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that thirteen attorneys have timely filed their applications for the associate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Patrick N. Lawler.

December 17, 2009: Circuit Judge Raymond McKoski was recognized at the joint midyear meeting of the Illinois Judges Association and the Illinois State Bar Association recently held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago.

December 16, 2009: Chief Judge James Booras received a call Tuesday afternoon from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts informing him that the tabulation of votes received from the circuit judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit had been completed. Margaret (Meg) Marcouiller received the most votes and she will be appointed the next associate judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. “Meg’s knowledge of the law, engaging temperament, and management experience will make her a fine judge,” Booras said. “I am happy for Meg and look forward to her joining the bench in the very near future.”

December 9, 2009: Rosemarie Gray, who was interviewed for a job with Lake County adult probation services over twenty nine years ago, was recently named the director of adult probation services. She succeeds Frank Kuzmickus, one of the persons who actually interviewed her, after graduation from college, for her first job in 1980 as an adult probation officer.

December 4, 2009: Elected unanimously by the Circuit Judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit, Circuit Judge Victoria A. Rossetti will take over the helm as the Circuit’s Chief Judge on May 1, 2010. She is the circuit’s current acting chief judge and has held the position since 2008.

December 4, 2009: The Circuit Judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit have met and named the finalists for the associate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Victoria L. Martin.

November 23, 2009: The Supreme Court of Illinois has authorized the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy that exists in the office of Associate Judge. The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Associate Judge Patrick N. Lawler effective December 18, 2009.

November 9, 2009: “The 19th Judicial Circuit takes great pride in announcing the release of the Court’s newly redesigned website,” said Chief Judge James Booras. “It’s not that there is anything wrong with the old site; however, after ten years there have been changes and improvements that have been made.”

November 4, 2009: Chief Judge James K. Booras received official word from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that seventeen attorneys have timely filed their applications for the associate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Victoria L. Martin.

October 6, 2009: The week of October 13-16, 2009 has been declared “Juror Appreciation Week” by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. It is the Court’s way of recognizing and honoring the citizens of Lake County who have been summoned to be here this week to serve, as well as those citizens who have performed their civic duty in the past.

0ctober 6, 2009: Milton Grant, an office automation specialist for the 19th Judicial Circuit, will be honored later this month by the Illinois Workforce Development. Milton, who was nominated by the Lake County Workforce Development, is one of 26 people who will receive an “Individual Achievement Award” at the Illinois Workforce Development Conference in Springfield on October 22, 2009.

October 1, 2009: The Supreme Court of Illinois has authorized the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy that exists in the office of Associate Judge. The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Associate Judge Victoria L. Martin effective October 31, 2009. Applications are now being accepted for the vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit.

September 2, 2009: Wallace Dunn, Associate Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of the DePaul University College of Law Center for Jewish Law & Judaic Studies. “It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed to this Board and I look forward to working with this panel of such esteemed educators, Rabbis and dignitaries,” commented Judge Dunn.

August 13, 2009: Christine Hecker, a Lake County principal probation officer, recently received notification that she is being recognized for her work on the development and administration of a program known as “Failure To Appear” (FTA) in probation’s Pretrial Services Unit.

August 5, 2009: Twenty years ago it was published as printed text, in 2004 it was produced on CD’s, and today it’s live on the internet. What’s all the excitement about? It’s the new and improved Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s Virtual Annual Report that is now available and being provided to the public exclusively on the internet.

August 4, 2009: The Circuit Court of Lake County, Chief Judge James Booras and Circuit Judge Diane Winter, in partnership with the Lake County Health Department, Preventative Services, Liz Nelson, and with the support of the Regional Office of Education, Superintendent of Schools Roycealee Wood, and the College of Lake County, are proud to announce that the Lake County Red Ribbon Rally will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

July 7, 2009: Circuit Judge James K. Booras will serve a second term as Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Although the election was only one item of several on the agenda, it didn’t take long for the other eleven sitting Circuit Judges to decide that Booras be re-elected as Chief Judge.

May 12, 2009: In recognition of “National Drug Court Month”, Lake County will celebrate the graduation of two participants of its own Drug Court program. All 2,301 Drug Court programs across the United States have been asked to conduct ceremonies recognizing their own participants as part of the nationwide celebration of the successes of Drug Courts.

May 5, 2009: The Chief Judge of Lake County has announced that uncontested mortgage foreclosure cases will now be heard in Branch Court due to the remarkable increase in the number of cases filed annually. Chief Judge James K. Booras of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit announced that the change will be effective, June 2, 2009.

May 1, 2009: The magnetometer lines at the courthouse were kept a little busier than usual this morning as over 300 students planned to spend their morning at the courthouse learning more about the rule of law.

April 24, 2009: Robert “Bob” Cesar who started his career as a probation officer with Lake County almost thirty three years ago was recently appointed as the Director of Juvenile Probation and Detention Services. Prior to his appointment he served as Assistant Director for several years overseeing and assisting with the administration of Juvenile Probation and Detention.

April 22, 2009: The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit along with the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council and the College of Lake County continue to partner with agencies in the community to present the Annual Girl-Wise Conference. This year’s conference is the 6th Annual and will take place at the College of Lake County on Saturday, May 2, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

March 18, 2009: Circuit Court Judge Jorge Ortiz was recently appointed to the National Judicial Child Support Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support Enforcement to provide a collaborative link between the child support and judicial communities.

March 7, 2009: Sixteen teams from several high schools began showing up early this morning, anxious and excited to compete in the 6th Annual Lake County Mock Trial Invitational.

March 6, 2009: Each year an employee of the 19th Judicial Circuit is selected by co-workers as the employee of the year. This week Chief Judge James Booras had the pleasure of announcing that Brenda Chibucos had been chosen as the 2008 Employee of the Year of the 19th Judicial Circuit.”

February 27, 2009: High school students from Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake Counties are putting their final touches on their anticipated mock trial performances to compete against one another in a mock trial tournament to take place at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

February 13, 2009: Chief Judge James Booras received official word on Thursday, February 12, 2009, from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Supreme Court that the two newly elected associate judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit are John J. Scully and Donna-Jo Vorderstrasse.

February 4, 2009: Lori Sandquist, a juvenile probation officer for Lake County, recently received the Lake County Juvenile Officers Association “Juvenile Justice Award” for 2008 for her dedication and commitment in working with juvenile sex offenders in Lake County.

February 3, 2009: The Circuit Judges of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit have met and named the finalists for the associate judge vacancies created as a result of the death of Robert S. Smith, Jr. and the Circuit Judge appointment of Diane E. Winter by the Illinois Supreme Court.

January 26, 2009: The quietness that usually reigns over the courthouse on weekends ended early on Saturday morning when approximately 60 Boy Scouts entered the building to take part in the annual Law Merit Badge Day program.

December 10, 2008: Frank Morelli, a probation officer of the 19th Judicial Circuit, recently took office as President of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association.

December 4, 2008: New signage, “A Force for Positive Change,” will soon be displayed around the courthouse identifying a need for greater awareness of the positive role of community corrections in Lake County.

November 10, 2008: On Friday, November 14, Len Young, Director of Juvenile Probation and Detention Services, and his staff will welcome Dr. Donna Petras and two PhD students from Ethiopia.

November 10, 2008: The Honorable James K. Booras, Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, was recently honored by the Hellenic Bar Association with its “Judicial Excellence Award.”

November 5, 2008: At an out of courthouse meeting held last Friday, Circuit Judge James K. Booras was unanimously re-elected to another term of office as the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit. The unanimous vote came from the other eleven sitting Lake County Circuit Court Judges.

November 3, 2008: Three Lake County Adult Probation Officers were recently honored at the annual fall meeting of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association (IPCSA), according to Chief Judge James Booras.

October 22, 2008: The Supreme Court of Illinois has authorized the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy that exists in the office of Associate Judge. Applications are now being accepted for the vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit Judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit.

October 17, 2008: “I am very happy to announce today that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Associate Judge Diane E. Winter as Circuit Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit,” said Chief Judge James Booras.

October 10, 2008: The week of October 14-17, 2008 has been declared “Juror Appreciation Week” by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

October 7, 2008: Lake County recently received notification from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women that their application for funding a Family Visitation and Exchange Center had been approved.

October 7, 2008: Chief Judge James K. Booras was very proud to learn that Robert Zastany, the Executive Director of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, had been selected to participate in an international program sponsored by the National Center for State Courts.

October 7, 2008: Newly appointed Circuit Judge, Judge Ortiz is being called upon to serve as a guest speaker and panelist for the following:

September 17, 2008: Victoria A. Rossetti, Acting Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, was a recipient of the IMPRESA AWARD presented by The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans at their annual awards luncheon hosted last Saturday.

August 19, 2008: “I learned this morning from the Illinois Supreme Court that Associate Judge Jorge Ortiz has been appointed Circuit Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit,” said Chief Judge James Booras.

August 8, 2008: The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday appointed Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Mary Seminara-Schostok to the Illinois Appellate Court, Second Judicial District.

May 23, 2008: Richard A. Krause, Director of Judicial Operations, and Patrice Evans, Business Process Analyst, of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court’s staff, recently became Fellows and Certified Court Executives (CCE) of the Institute for Court Management (ICM).

May 8, 2008: Circuit Judge James K. Booras was unanimously elected today as the Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

May 6, 2008: Acting Chief Judge Christopher C. Starck announced today that the 19th Judicial Circuit would begin a Jury Stress Program.

May 6, 2008: On the request of Christopher Starck, Acting Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, that a judge of another judicial circuit be assigned to hear the Lake County cases entitled People v. David M. Hall, Case Nos. 08 DT 1274; 08 CM 2497; 08 TR 56872; and 08 TR 56871, the Supreme Court has ordered that F. Keith Brown, Circuit Judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, be assigned to hold court in Lake County on such dates as may be necessary to hear the above named cases.

May 2, 2008: Over 250 teenagers and teachers from local area high schools accepted the court’s invitation to spend the morning at the Waukegan courthouse today in celebration of Law Day.

April 16, 2008: On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, Chief Judge Dave Hall of the 19th Judicial Circuit presented the 2008 Liberty Bell Awards at the Depke Juvenile Justice Center.

March 17, 2008: The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit along with the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council and the College of Lake County continue to partner with agencies in the community to present the 5th Annual Girl-Wise Conference.

March 11, 2008: Fifty years ago President Eisenhower proclaimed the first Law Day, that is celebrated annually on May 1st, a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law.” In observance of its 50th anniversary, Chief Judge Dave Hall is pleased to announce the activities planned for Law Day 2008 sponsored by the Judges of the Circuit Court of Lake County.

February 5, 2008: Chief Judge Dave Hall received a call from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts before noon today informing him that Michael B. Betar had been selected as the next associate judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

January 29, 2008: The courthouse was abuzz this past Saturday with 70 Boy Scouts who were given the opportunity to learn about the Lake County criminal justice system and at the same time earn their Law Merit Badge.

January 25, 2008: Chief Judge Dave Hall met recently with all of the nominees and their co-workers to find out who was selected as the 2007 Employee of the Year of the 19th Judicial Circuit. As anticipation grew, Hall read the name of Arminda Badgerow.