17th Circuit Judges

Mission Statement: The mission of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court is to provide a fair, effective and efficient manner of resolving disputes by providing equal and timely access to justices in a fiscally responsible manner while maintaining the public trust and confidence.

Located in the far north-central region of Illinois, the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit encompasses the counties of Boone and Winnebago and covers an area of 795 square miles. According to the 2000 census, over 320,000 residents currently reside in Winnebago and Boone Counties.

The 17th Judicial Circuit has twenty-two judges assigned to it. Nine of the judges are circuit judges and elected for six year terms by the residents of either one or both of the counties comprising the 17th circuit. Six circuit judges are elected by citizens of both Winnebago and Boone Counties, 2 circuit judges are elected solely by the citizens of Winnebago County and 1 circuit judge is elected solely by the Citizens of Boone County. The remaining 13 judges are associate judges and are appointed to their positions for 4-year terms by the 9 elected circuit judges.

The Boone County Courthouse is located at 601 N. Main Street in Belvidere. There are 3 courtrooms available for use in Boone County. Other auxiliary services of the court located in the complex include the circuit Court Clerk's office and the Boone County branch of the 17th Circuit Adult and Juvenile Probation department.

The Winnebago County Courthouse is located at 400 West State Street in downtown Rockford and is adjacent to the Public Safety Building. Within the Winnebago County courthouse complex there are 21 courtrooms available for use for the various calls. In addition, the Office of the Chief Judge and Trial Court Administrator are located in the Winnebago County Courthouse.

You will find copies of our General Orders, Local Rules and appendices at:
www.Illinois17th.com.

Circuit Judges

Hon. Janet R. Holmgren, Chief Judge
Hon. Rosemary Collins
Hon. Brendan A. Maher, Presiding Judge of Boone County
Hon. Eugene G. Doherty
Hon. Lisa R. Fabiano
Hon. Gwyn Gulley
Hon. Joseph G. McGraw
Hon. J. Edward Prochaska
Hon. C. Robert Tobin III, Boone County Resident Judge
Hon. Ronald J. White
Hon. Kathryn E. Zenoff, Assigned to the Second District Appellate Court

Associate Judges

Hon. Brian D. Shore, Administrative Associate Judge
Hon. Joseph J. Bruce
Hon. Fernando L. Engelsma
Hon. Mary Linn Green
Hon. Patrick L. Heaslip
Hon. John S. Lowry
Hon. Steven L. Nordquist
Hon. Gary V. Pumilia
Hon. R. Craig Sahlstrom
Hon. John R. Truitt
Hon. Steven G. Vecchio
Hon. K. Patrick Yarbrough
Hon. John H. Young, Boone County

Administration

Todd A. Schroeder, Trial Court Administrator
Denny Meyers, Director of Court Services