The Illinois Supreme Court announced Wednesday the appointment of Morgan County State's Attorney Chris E. Reif as a resident circuit judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Reif was appointed to fill the Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard T. Mitchell on January 2. The appointment is effective March 22, 2013 and will expire December 1, 2014, when the position will be filled by the 2014 General Election.

Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment to the Supreme Court after a review process by a special citizen screening committee.

"I am absolutely thrilled and honored with the appointment," Mr. Reif said. "I look forward to serving the citizens of Morgan County and will continue to put forth the same work effort as I have as state's attorney for 8+ years. I will uphold the standards expected of a circuit court judge.

"I thank the Supreme Court and Justice Garman for the opportunity."

Mr. Reif graduated from Illinois State University in 1993 with a degree in criminal justice. He received his juris doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1998. After graduation, Mr. Reif was hired as an associate with the law firm then known as Grosboll, Becker, Tice & Smith and was engaged in the general practice of law. He became a named partner of the firm within a couple of years and worked there until 2004.

In 2004, Mr. Reif was elected Morgan County state's attorney and was re-elected in 2008 and 2012. While there, he established new initiatives and programs, including a diversion program with the probation department for minor alcohol offenses; a child advocacy protocol for better tracking, investigating and prosecution of juvenile sex offenses and serious abuse cases with Morgan County agencies; and initiated active enforcement of civil forfeitures.

Mr. Reif is a member of the Morgan County and Illinois State Bar Associations. He has also served as president of the Morgan County Bar; as a member of the executive committee of the Illinois State's Attorney's Association; and as a member of the board of directors for the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's Association. Mr. Reif was one of 24 prosecutors selected nationwide to attend the United States Secret Service national Computer Forensic Institute training for computer forensics in court and on mobile devices for prosecutors.

A resident of Jacksonville, Mr. Reif is married with four children.

Justice Garman’s special screening committee, which reviewed the candidates, consisted of four
non-lawyers and two lawyers.

The non-lawyer members were: Chairperson Jim Bruner, Joy Becker, Tom Eoff and Dr. John Peterson, all from Jacksonville.

The lawyer members of the committee were Eddie Carpenter and Charles McNeely, both from Jacksonville.

The Seventh Judicial Circuit is comprised of six counties: Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott.