U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) have announced that the application for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois is now online.

Prospective applicants can download the application at www.durbin.senate.gov, www.kirk.senate.gov or by clicking here or here. Applications must be returned by Friday, August 31, 2012.

The Screening, Recommendation and Nomination Process:

A screening committee will conduct an open application process and will screen applicants with the goal of recommending candidates of top quality and integrity to Senators Durbin and Kirk. That committee was announced last week. Names and biographies of the screening committee members are included below.

The Senators will then review the screening committee’s recommendations, conduct interviews of finalists and – in consultation with one another – agree on a list of names to provide to the White House.

Once the President submits a nomination to the U.S. Senate, the nominee will be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Senator Durbin is a member, and will receive a vote in the committee. The approval of both home state Senators is required for the Senate Judiciary Committee to take up and consider any U.S. Attorney nominee. If a nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nomination will be sent to the full Senate for consideration. 

On average, it takes between two and four months to confirm a U.S. Attorney once that nomination is sent to the Senate.

Until a new U.S. Attorney is confirmed by the Senate, Gary Shapiro will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.