15th Circuit Judges

Carroll County

◊Judge J. Jerry Kane

Circuit Judge J. Jerry Kane graduated from Creighton University School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in 2017 and elected as Circuit Judge in 2020. Judge Kane is the current presiding judge of Carroll County.

◊Judge Scott L. Brinkmeier

Associate Judge Scott L. Brinkmeier graduated from the University of Illinois School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in March, 2021.

Jo Daviess County

◊Judge Kevin J. Ward

Circuit Judge Kevin J. Ward graduated from the University of Illinois School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in July, 2007 and elected as Circuit Judge in 2020. Judge Ward is the current presiding judge of Jo Daviess County.

◊Judge John D. Hay

Associate Judge John D. Hay graduated from Northern Illinois University School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in January, 2021.

Lee County

◊Judge Jacquelyn D. Ackert

Circuit Judge Jacquelyn D. Ackert graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law-Carbondale. She was appointed to the bench in 2004 and elected as Circuit Judge in 2018. Judge Ackert is the current presiding judge of Lee County and Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit.

◊Judge Douglas E. Lee

Circuit Judge Douglas E. Lee graduated from Northwestern School of Law. He was apointed to the bench in January, 2019 as Associate Judge and as Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in July, 2019 and elected as Circuit Judge in 2020.

◊Judge Theresa M. Friel-Draper

Associate Judge Theresa M. Friel-Draper graduated from Chicago-Kent Law School. She was appointed to the bench in July, 2019.

◊Judge Matthew T. Klahn

Associate Judge Matthew T. Klahn graduated from Creighton University School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in October, 2019.

Ogle County

◊Judge John B. Roe, IV

Circuit Judge John B. Roe graduated from Northern Illinois Univeristy College of Law. He was appointed as a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in January, 2013. Judge Roe is the current presiding judge of Ogle County.

◊Judge Clayton L. Lindsey

Circuit Judge Clayton L. Lindsey graduated from John Marshall Law School. He was appointed to the bench in 2016. He was appointed as Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court in July, 2022 and elected in November, 2022.

◊Judge Anthony W. Peska

Associate Judge Anthony W. Peska graduated from University of North Dakota School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in 2022.

◊ Judge Russell A. Crull

Associate Judge Russell A. Crull graduated from Northern Illinois University School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in 2024.

Stephenson County

◊Judge James M. Hauser

Circuit Judge James M. Hauser graduated from Marquette University School of Law. He was appointed to the bench in 2006 and elected to the Circuit Judge position in 2016. Judge Hauser is the current presiding judge of Stephenson County.

◊Judge Peter J. McClanathan

Circuit Judge Peter J. McClanathan graduated from Regent University School of Law. He was elected as circuit judge in 2022.

◊Judge Glenn R. Schorsch

Associate Judge Glenn R. Schorsch graduated from John Marshall Law School. He was appointed to the bench in 2014.

◊Judge David M. Olson

Associate Judge David M. Olson graduated from the University of Iowa Law School. He was appointed to the bench in 2016.

Contact Us

Fifteenth Judicial Circuit

106 South 5th Street, Suite 306A
Oregon, IL 61061

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM