Elected by the Circuit Judges of the 19^th Judicial Circuit, Judge Diane E. Winter will serve at the Circuit Judges’ pleasure as Chief Judge for a term commencing on January 2, 2020 and terminating January 4, 2021.

According to the local Circuit Court rules, an election of Circuit Judge shall occur on or before the 30^th day of June in the year preceding the year that the Circuit Judge begins his/her term.

“I thank my fellow judges for their confidence and support.  I am truly honored to be elected to serve as the next chief judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.  I will do my best to continue the excellence in leadership demonstrated by my predecessors.  I look forward to working with my judicial peers, our justice partners, our County partners, and continuing to serve the people of Lake County,” said Judge Winter.

Judge Winter received her Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Northern Illinois University School of Law. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1981 and began her legal career as an associate with Kolb & Grotto, Ltd. in Glen Ellyn. In 1990, Judge Winter joined the Waukegan firm of Fuqua Winter, Ltd. where she practiced general law until her appointment as associate judge.

Appointed Associate Judge in July 2000, Judge Winter was assigned to branch courts to handle a high-volume caseload of traffic and ordinance violation cases. In 2002, she was assigned to the main courthouse as a back-up judge to hear domestic violence cases and misdemeanor and DUI cases. In 2004, Judge Winter became a judge in the Family Division hearing contested divorces, child custody cases, support matters, divorce prove-ups and orders of protection.

Judge Winter was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit effective December 1, 2008 as a result of the retirement of Judge Jane D. Waller. In February of 2010, she was nominated in the primary and elected in the November of 2010 general election to maintain her Circuit Judge position.

From 2008 – 2010, Judge Winter served as the presiding judge of the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division. From 2009 – 2012, she served as the presiding judge of Criminal Misdemeanor and Traffic Division along with the Probate and Alternative Dispute Resolution Division. In 2012, Judge Winter began serving in the Civil Division. And from 2016 – 2018, she was the presiding judge of the Family Division. Judge Winter has served as Deputy Chief since January of 2018.

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Chief Judge Jay W. Ukena was notified by Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, that all 25 associate judges that filed requests for reappointment to their offices for a new four-year term have been retained. The new term of office for each reappointed associate judge will begin on July 1, 2019 and terminate on June 30, 2023.

Pursuant to the Illinois’ Constitution, associate judges serve a term of office of four years. The Illinois Constitution vests in the Supreme Court the authority to provide, by rule, for the associate judges appointment process in Illinois. With the adoption of Supreme Court Rule 39 in 1971, the quadrennial reappointment election of associate judges is accomplished through the casting of ballots by circuit court judges eligible to vote. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts administers all associate judge elections on behalf of the Supreme Court. The 2019 quadrennial reappointment election of associate judges is accomplished through the casting of ballots by circuit court judges eligible to vote. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts administers all associate judge elections on behalf of the Supreme Court. The 2019 quadrennial reappointment election is the twelfth reappointment election since the 1970 amendment to the judicial article of the Illinois Constitution.

• Luis A. Berrones
• Michael B. Betar
• David P. Brodsky
• Jenelle K. Christensen
• Raymond D. Collins
• Patricia L. Cornell
• Stephen M. DeRue
• Ari P. Fisz
• Michael J. Fusz
• Bolling W. Haxall, III
• Daniel L. Jasica
• Charles D. Johnson
• David Christopher Lombardo
• Reginald C. Mathews
• Jacquelyn D. Melius
• Christopher B. Morozin
• Paul B. Novak
• Veronica M. O’Malley
• Theodore S. Potkonjak
• Elizabeth M. Rochford
• Helen S. Rozenberg
• Stacey L. Seneczko
• James K. Simonian
• George D. Strickland
• Donna-Jo R. Vorderstrasse

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