The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the assignment of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Maureen E. Connors to the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Connors, who has been a judge in Cook County for 22 years, will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Appellate Justice Mary Jane Theis to the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Theis will be replacing Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald, who announced his retirement, effective October 25. The assignment of Judge Connors will become effective October 26 and expire December 3, 2012. Judge Connors was an associate Judge in Cook County from 1988 to 1994, when she was elected Circuit Court Judge. When she won retention as a Circuit Court judge in 2006, reviewing bar groups and associations all gave her favorable ratings. As an associate judge, she has served in Traffic Court (1988-89); the Domestic Violence Court (1989-90); and the Fifth Municipal District in Bridgeview (1990-1994). She has served in the Probate Division since her election as a Circuit Court judge in 1994, and was instrumental in organizing a roster of pro bono attorneys who volunteer free legal services in guardianship proceedings Judge Connors is a member of the Committee on Discovery of the Illinois Judicial Conference and has participated in the training of new judges in Cook County.  She has been a lecturer or panelist for the National Association of  Elder Law Attorneys, and the National Guardianship Association. She has been honored with the Domestic Violence Service Award by the Constance Morris House, a shelter for battered women; and has served on a task force studying the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. She has served as a tutor at the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago. Judge Connors received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University and her juris doctor degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1979. Before being elected an associate judge, she worked as an associate at Klafter & Burke and its predecessor Nathan & Klafter; and as assistant general attorney at the Chicago Park District. Judge Connors will occupy the current rotation position of Justice Theis in the Second Division of the Appellate Court, First District; and will be assigned Justice Theis’ cases. While serving on the Appellate Court, Judge Connors is relieved of all her regular duties in the Circuit Court of Cook County.