Kyle Napp, a Democrat, beat Hamel attorney Tom Burkart, a Republican, to fill the vacancy that was created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Charles Romani in the 3rd Judicial Circuit.

Napp currently serves as an Associate Judge in Madison County after she was appointed in 2007. She also served as a Madison County Assistant State's Attorney.

"I am so happy that the voters paid attention to this campaign and the candidates," Napp said. "I am so grateful that the voters gave me their support. It's awesome."

Burkart is in private practice in Hamel.

The final vote totals were Burkart, 49,855; Napp, 65,593.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce also backed an unsuccessful campaign to oppose the retention of sitting judges in the Third Judicial Circuit. Chief Judge Ann Callis, David Hylla, John Knight and Barbara Crowder were targeted by the campaign. Under Illinois law, at least 60 percent of the voters must cast ballots for judges to return to the bench.

The judges were all retained. The final numbers were:

Callis: Yes: 76,277 No: 35,811

Knight: Yes: 68,326 No: 39,795

Crowder: Yes: 68,860 No: 41,165

Hylla: Yes: 70,436 No: 38,234