LOCAL JUDGES HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR SCHOOL YEAR
Judges from the Fourth Judicial Circuit participated in a statewide initiative sponsored by the Illinois
Conference of Chief Judges and the Illinois Judges Association to help local schools, students and
community organizations prepare for success in the 2022-23 school year by gathering additional school
supplies and resources.
“The Illinois Judges Association and the Conference of Chief Judges are proud of the active judges in this
state and their commitment to their communities,” said IJA President Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke. “We
see firsthand what happens with students who are not supported in their schools. The approximately
1250 active and retired members of the Illinois Judges Association already provide many in-schools
programs from reading to students through civics education. It was a logical extension to join with the
Chief Judges for the entire state to help provide needed supplies for the school year.”
The project the judges from the Fourth Circuit supported included meeting with teachers,
superintendents and classes and assessing their needs. Judges Chad M. Miller and Kevin S. Parker
collected supplies and donated them to the Newton Community High School and Elementary School.
“The Conference of Chief Judges meets regularly to discuss policies and needs for the entire state,” said
Chief Judge David Vancil, who is the Chair of the Conference of Chief Judges. “This collaboration with the
Illinois Judges Association allowed our circuits to coordinate help many were already providing and to
help the public know their local judges are truly here to help.”
For more information or to schedule additional in-schools projects or judicial speakers in your
community, contact the Illinois Judges Association at www.info@ija.org
