News Releases

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced the following certified list of candidates who have applied for the associate judge vacancy in the 17th Circuit based on the impending retirement of Associate Judge Joseph J. Bruce:

Erin B. Buhl  Richard M. Butera   Jessica A. Cushard
David M. Gill    Roger H. Gustafson Erin C. Hannigan
Erik K. Jacobs Joseph B. Kosek    Maureen M. Lawson    
Lise M. Lombardo  John J. Palmer  Amy K. Peterman   
Todd A. Ramlow Scott P. Robinson Derrick J. Schmidt  
Andrew T. Smith    Kelly A. Vecchio     Paul R. Vella    
Tamika R. Walker    Timothy K. Whitham Jeffrey J. Zucchi
     

The Circuit Judges of the 17th Circuit are inviting written comment regarding these candidates from all interested individuals and organizations.   Comments must be in writing and received by the Chief Judge no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 23, 2021. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters will be placed in each of the candidate’s files. There shall be no other direct or indirect contact with any Circuit or Associate Judge regarding an individual’s candidacy.

Anyone wishing to comment should direct their correspondence by U.S. mail to Chief Judge Eugene G. Doherty, Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 West State Street, Suite 215, Rockford, IL 61101 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PDF of Press Release

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF
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400 W State St
Rockford, IL 61101

EARLY CLOSURE OF CERTAIN COURT FACILITIES

Due to water main break in downtown Rockford, the 17th Judicial Circuit Court announces the following:

The Winnebago County Courthouse, Winnebago County Juvenile Justice Center, Adult Probation Department, and Alternative Dispute Resolution Center will be CLOSED at 1:30 pm on Thursday, April 18. All court appearances, including Zoom virtual appearances, located in these facilities are cancelled and will be rescheduled. For questions related to the rescheduling of court matters, please contact the Circuit Clerk's office at 815-319-4500.

The Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center and Boone County Courts REMAIN OPEN and all matters scheduled in these facilities will continue to be heard this afternoon. 

Per Administrative Order 2019-2, all orders of protection due to expire on the date of closure will instead expire the following day, or next court business day in the event of a multi-day closure. As applicable, a petitioner wishing  to pursue their order of protection, must come to the Circuit Clerk’s Office or contact the Clerk’s Office by phone the next day the courthouse is open and request to see a judge to have their order of protection extended. 

All Court Facilities are expected to be open tomorrow, April 19, 2024.