Chief Judge Janet R. Holmgren is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has approved a request from the 17th Judicial Circuit that the Honorable Charles R. Hartman be appointed as a Recall Judge until July 2, 2010. Judge Hartman will begin his term as a Recall Judge during the first week of January, 2010, and succeeds Judge Gerald Grubb, who retired from a Recall Judge position on December 23, 2009.

Judge Hartman previously served 14 years on the bench in the 15th Circuit as a Circuit Judge, mostly presiding in Stephenson County, Illinois, until he retired from the bench in 2006. Judge Hartman has presided over all type of criminal and civil matters that come before the Court, and will initially be assigned to preside in the Felony Pretrial and Video Bond Courtrooms in Winnebago County.

Prior to becoming a jurist, Judge Hartman served as the elected State’s Attorney for Stephenson County from 1980-1992 and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County from 1971-1980. He was also a member of the United States Army Reserves from 1967-1983, achieving the rank of Major. Judge Hartman received his law degree in 1967 from DePaul Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola of Chicago.

The 17th Circuit has been fortunate that the Illinois Supreme Court has approved the use of Recall Judges since 2004 to assist in managing the heavy caseloads in Winnebago and Boone Counties. After the Supreme Court authorizes a one year recall judge position, the Chief Judge has the task of seeking a retired Illinois judge that wishes to return to the bench. The 17th Circuit’s initial recall position was approved in 2004, and a second recall position was authorized in 2006. Along with Judge Hartman, Judge Richard A. Lucas, a retired Associate Judge from Du Page County joined the 17th Circuit as a Recall Judge on November 1, 2006, and was recently approved by the Supreme Court to serve a third year in that position. The 17th Judicial Circuit is very appreciative of all the support received from the Illinois Supreme Court, the Winnebago County Board and Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen in regard to the recall positions.