Barnhart Running for Circuit Judge

A Yorkville resident is running for circuit judge in the newly formed 23rd Judicial Circuit, which will cover Kendall and DeKalb counties starting in December 2012.

Melissa S. Barnhart is seeking the Republican nomination in the March primary, according to a news release issued Wednesday. The seat requires the judge live in Kendall County and be elected by Kendall County voters only.

It's rather fitting, as Barnhart said she's lived in Kendall County for more than 25 years. Her current position as an associate judge serves Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties.

“Not that I don’t enjoy serving all three counties," Barnhart said, "but boy, being home would be nice.”

She said she's heard a variety of criminal and civil cases since she was appointed associate judge in DeKalb County in October 2009, after working serving as from May 2005 to December 2006, the news release states. Previously, she worked as a Kendall County assistant state’s attorney from 1986 to 1996 and as a partner in the law firm of Pilmer & Barnhart.

Barnhart graduated from Illinois State University and John Marshall Law School, the news release states.

Associate judges are appointed by circuit judges to four-year terms, while circuit judges are elected in traditional partisan races for six-year terms, according to an Illinois courts website. After their first terms, circuit judges face retention elections, which simply ask voters - yes or no - whether a particular judge should keep his or her seat for another six years.

Barnhart was just appointed to a second term as an associate judge but views the open circuit judge position as a great opportunity.

“I just think it’s a great opportunity, and I don’t want to let it pass by,” she said.

The state legislature created the 23rd Judicial Circuit by splitting Kendall and DeKalb counties from the 16th Judicial Circuit, which will be comprised only of Kane County starting in December 2012.