July 03, 2024

Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Hawley to be a Federal District Court Judge in the Central District of Illinois

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)—Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee—today released the following statement after the White House announced its intent to nominate U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Hawley for the Peoria-based federal district court judicial vacancy in the Central District of Illinois:

“We are pleased that President Biden is nominating Judge Jonathan Hawley to fill a judicial vacancy in the Central District of Illinois. Judge Hawley was highly regarded by our screening committee and brings strong qualifications and a wealth of experience that will strengthen our federal bench. He has been a Magistrate Judge for the past decade, in addition to previously serving as the Chief Federal Public Defender and clerking for U.S. District Judge Michael McCuskey—all in the Central District of Illinois. We look forward to supporting Judge Hawley’s nomination in the Senate.”

In February, Duckworth and Durbin established a screening committee to review applicants to be a Federal District Court Judge in the Central District of Illinois. The committee carefully evaluated candidates by reviewing their professional records and application questionnaires, contacting references and conducting interviews and submitted their findings and recommendations to the Senators. Durbin and Duckworth interviewed the finalists, reviewed their records and consulted with each other regarding their qualifications. 

In April, the Senators sent a letter to the White House recommending four candidates for President Biden’s consideration, including Judge Hawley.

Once the President submits a nomination to the Senate, it will be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Durbin is the Chair and the nominee will ultimately receive a vote in the Committee. If the nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nominee will receive a vote by the full Senate.

Judge Hawley’s biography from the White House is below:

Judge Jonathan E. Hawley has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois since 2014. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Hawley served in the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of Illinois from 1999 to 2014, including as the District’s Chief Federal Public Defender from 2011 to 2014. Judge Hawley served as a law clerk for Justice James D. Heiple on the Illinois Supreme Court from 1998 to 1999, for Judge Michael P. McCuskey on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in 1998 and for Judge McCuskey on the Illinois Third District Appellate Court from 1997 to 1998. He received his J.D., cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law in 1992 and his B.A, cum laude, from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1992.

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