Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Tuesday that an application process has begun for a Circuit Court vacancy in Wayne County, Second Judicial Circuit.

The resident Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge Bennie Joe Harrison, effective November 30, 2013.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies.

Justice Karmeier uses a committee to evaluate and interview applicants before making a recommendation 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 Stephen G. Sawyer of the Second Judicial Circuit in Mt. Carmel; or from Wayne County Circuit Clerk Sharon Gualdoni; or from Resident Circuit Judge Bennie Joe Harrison at the Wayne County Courthouse; or from Justice Karmeier.

Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Friday, October 3, 2013. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November 2014 General Election. The appointment will terminate December 1, 2014. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of Wayne County at the time of the appointment.

Wayne County is one of 12 counties in the Second Judicial Circuit; the Second Judicial Circuit is also comprised of the southern Illinois counties of Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash and White.