Metro-East News

Senate Judiciary Committee approves St. Clair County’s McGlynn for federal judgeship

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved Circuit Court Judge Stephen McGlynn’s nomination for a federal judgeship on Thursday during a confirmation hearing.

He was nominated by President Donald Trump for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in December. Next, the full U.S. Senate must move to confirm his nomination.

McGlynn, a Republican, has served on the 20th Judicial Circuit Court since 2013, when the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously selected him to replace Judge Michael Cook, who resigned his seat on the bench. McGlynn was re-elected to the seat in 2014 for a term that expires Dec. 6, 2020.

U.S. District judges are paid a salary of $210,900.

At the time of his nomination by the president, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Democrats, released a joint statement endorsing the pick.

“We are pleased that the President has nominated Judge Stephen McGlynn,” the statement said. “He has the qualifications, integrity and judgment to serve with distinction as a district court judge in the Southern District of Illinois. We appreciate the Administration’s willingness to work with us and with our nonpartisan screening committee to reach consensus on nominees who will serve the people of Illinois well. We look forward to guiding his nomination through the Senate.”

In 2017, Durbin and Duckworth established screening committees to assist in evaluating candidates for vacant federal judgeships, U.S. attorney positions and U.S. marshal positions in the state. The committees review and vet candidates for the vacancies and advise the senators regarding the candidates’ qualifications and fitness for the position.

McGlynn previously served as a justice on the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court. Before that, he was in private practice at McGlynn & McGlynn, Attorneys at Law.

He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law.

Hana Muslic
Belleville News-Democrat
Hana Muslic has been a public safety reporter for the Belleville News-Democrat since August 2018, covering everything from crime and courts to accidents, fires and natural disasters. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and her previous work can be found in The Lincoln Journal-Star and The Kansas City Star.
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