The Illinois Supreme Court announced Friday that Associate Judge Timothy M. Lucas has been appointed a circuit judge in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride recommended Judge Lucas fill the Circuit Court vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. James E. Shadid upon his appointment as a federal district judge for the Central District of Illinois. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court is given the authority to fill judicial vacancies. An associate judge in the 10th Circuit since 2001, Judge Lucas has presided over a wide range of cases including misdemeanor, traffic, civil, probate, juvenile abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency. He received his juris doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School College in 1981. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Lucas served as an assistant state’s attorney for Tazewell County handling traffic and felony matters. He also served as advisor to the Tazewell County Zoning Board. Judge Lucas practiced for six years at the Pekin law firm of Bernardi, Bernardi & Bode, engaging in the general practice of law. He also engaged in general practice as a partner in the Lacon law firm of Galley & Lucas and in solo practice for 11 years in Pekin. Judge Lucas also served as an assistant public defender for Marshall County from 1989-1990 and for Tazewell County from 1982-1988 and 1990-2001. A resident of Pekin, Judge Lucas is married with two children. Judge Lucas’ appointment is effective May 6, 2011 and will expire December 3, 2012, when the position will be filled by the 2012 General Election. He has indicated that he will not seek election to the seat. The Tenth Judicial Circuit is comprised of Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark and Tazewell counties.