Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride on Wednesday announced that seven candidates have applied to fill a judicial vacancy in the 10th Judicial Circuit. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill judicial vacancies. Chief Justice Kilbride uses an extensive application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the Supreme Court for judicial vacancies in the Third Judicial District. The process includes an opportunity for public comment, background checks by police authorities and with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Chief Justice Kilbride will also use a poll of all attorneys residing in the 10th Circuit, which will be conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association over the next 30 days. The attorneys will be surveyed on their opinions of the applicants’ integrity, temperament, legal ability, management skills and other professional qualifications. Chief Justice Kilbride will appoint a judicial screening committee made up of representatives from the community, including non-lawyers as well as members of the legal profession to evaluate all of the information. The names of that committee will be announced at a later date. Attorneys whose applications were received by the deadline were: David B. Collins, David M. House, Kevin W. Lyons, Christopher S. McCall, Theresa B. Murphy, Leann M. Niebuhr, and Scott E. Umland. Notice of the vacancy and the appointment process was posted at various courthouses within the Tenth Circuit, which is comprised of Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark and Tazewell counties. The Peoria resident circuit court vacancy was created by the 2010 retirement of Judge Richard Grawey. The vacancy is temporarily being filled by Judge Glenn Collier who left retirement to fill the position. Those wishing to send written comments about the candidates during the selection process may address them to: Judge Appointment Comments, 10th Judicial Circuit, Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, IL 62704. Comments must arrive by Monday, June 13, 2011. Comments must include contact information such as name and address, and should be brief, preferably no more than 250 words. Among qualities an applicant must possess are a demonstrated reputation for integrity and good character; a demonstrated commitment to equal justice under the law; outstanding legal ability and competence; and the appropriate demeanor and character demonstrating a judicial temperament required by the position of Circuit Court judge. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until December 3, 2012, when the position will be filled by the 2012 General Election.