Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Monday that an application process has begun for a Circuit Court vacancy in Williamson County, First Judicial Circuit. The resident Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge Ronald R. Eckiss, effective November 1, 2010. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier uses an application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the Court for vacancies in the Fifth Judicial District. Applicants must submit a cover letter with the Requested Information of an Applicant Form to: Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier Supreme Court of Illinois P.O. Box 266 Nashville, IL 62263 The form may be obtained from the office of Chief Judge Mark H. Clarke of the First Judicial Circuit in Cairo; or from Williamson County Circuit Clerk Stuart Hall; or from Resident Circuit Judges Ronald Eckiss and Phillip Palmer at the Williamson County Courthouse; or from the Williamson County Bar Association or from Justice Karmeier. Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Thursday, October 7, 2010. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November 2012 General Election. The appointment will terminate December 3, 2012. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of Williamson County at the time of the appointment. Williamson County is one of nine counties in the First Judicial Circuit; the First Judicial Circuit is also comprised of the southern Illinois counties of Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union.