Kane's next chief judge excited, honored to take reins of 16th Circuit - Chicago Daily Herald
Boles was elected by fellow circuit court judges late Wednesday afternoon in a secret ballot. As a graduate of St. Charles High School, Boles has been active in speaking at all levels of public schools, and she hopes to continue with her current felony court call for a few months after she assumes her new role in December. Judge Judith Brawka, who will end her tenure as chief judge but remain on the bench, said Boles is an "excellent selection. "Judge Boles is, and always has been, an outstanding jurist -- very active in reaching out from the bench to the community," Brawka said. Brawka said that, in addition to the new case management system, Boles also must focus on a long-term plan to bring all court services to one campus. The Illinois Supreme Court also wants leaders to improve access to the court system and lawmakers want a review of the state's criminal justice system and a focus on rehabilitation as an alternative to prison, Brawka said. "Just locking people up does not work because most of those people get out (of prison) and have not been rehabilitated," Brawka said. Circuit Judge John Dalton said Boles is well respected by her peers, has a sharp legal mind and served as acting chief judge when Brawka was sick, out of. Source: www.dailyherald.com
