Circuit Judge David Hylla to retire after 13 years, hopes he’ll be remembered as fair
Following news that former Chief Judge David Hylla will retire from the Third Circuit Court, he is reflecting on his 13 years on the bench.
In an official statement, Hylla said the retirement will take effect Jan. 2.
“I am retiring at this time so the voters can choose my successor in 2020,” Hylla wrote in the release.
Last week, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, a Democrat, announced his plan to run for the vacancy. Former Assistant State’s Attorney Amy Maher will seek the Republican nomination for the same seat.
Hylla on the Third Circuit bench
Hylla said it has been “the greatest honor of my life” to serve on the Third Circuit Court, which oversees cases in Bond and Madison counties. In his statement, he thanked the voters for electing him to the seat in 2006 and choosing to retain him in 2012 and 2018.
Hylla served three terms as Chief Judge of the Third Circuit, from 2013 to 2019. During that time, he was also elected the Chair of the Illinois Conference of Chief Circuit Judges.
In 1980, then-Third Circuit Chief Judge Joe Barr swore Hylla in as a Deputy Circuit Clerk.
“I never thought I would be fortunate enough to serve as Chief Judge many years later,” Hylla said.
While Chief Judge, Hylla brought full-time law clerks to Madison County and expanded the Legal Self-Help Center by adding staff, renovating the law library and creating a partnership with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to bring JusticeCorps volunteers to the county.
Hylla also initiated National Adoption Day in Madison County in 2016, the Red Mass in 2015 and Second Chance Saturday in 2016.
On the state level
In addition to being Chair of the Chief Judges’ Conference, Hylla served on the Illinois Judicial Conference and has been Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court’s e-Business Policy Advisory Board since its creation in 2014. He presented at the 2018 Illinois Judicial Education Conference and chaired the Illinois Court Reporting Services Executive committee.
Hylla also serves on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Pre-Trial Practices Commission.
“Getting to know and work with many dedicated and talented chief judges, Supreme Court justices, committee members and staff of the administrative office of the Illinois Courts to help improve our state’s court system was a highlight of my career,” he said.
During his tenure as a judge, Hylla has been recognized for his achievements by multiple state organizations. He received the NAACP Civic Service Award in 2010, New Opportunities’ Community Service Award in 2017 and Headstart’s Circle of Care Award in 2019.
“I tried to do many things during my judicial career, but hope to be remembered most as a judge who was fair,” he said.
Who will replace Hylla?
On Nov. 29, Gibbons announced that he would not be seeking re-election as Madison County State’s Attorney, a position he has been in since 2010.
“I have decided to run for this position so I can continue my service to the People of Madison County,” Gibbons wrote on his campaign’s Facebook page on Dec. 4, where he asked for supporters’ signatures on a petition that would place his name on the March 17 Democratic primary ballot.
Also on Dec. 4, Maher, who is now the director of operations for Catholic Charities, announced she would seek the nomination as well. She was an assistant state’s attorney in Madison County for more than 20 years until 2013.
“I have a lot of experience working in the Madison County court system, and I think the court system would benefit from bringing in some people with different perspectives,” she said. “The experience working as both a prosecutor and in the social work fields gives you a broad experience you don’t often find in lawyers, and that’s something that could benefit the court and the county.”
U.S. Rep John Shimkus, a 15th District Republican, is serving as Maher’s campaign chairman.
Maher and Gibbons are seeking 500 signatures each to appear on the primary ballot. The filing period for the circuit judge position is Dec. 16-23.
The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face each other in the general election on Nov. 3, 2020.
Three candidates are running for Madison County state’s attorney to replace Gibbons: current First Assistant State’s Attorney Crystal Uhe, former Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Susan Jensen and attorney Tom Haine.
This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 3:57 PM.
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