The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday the assignment of Retired U.S. District Court Judge Michael McCuskey to fill a Circuit Court vacancy as Resident Circuit Judge of Marshall County in the 10th Judicial Circuit.

His appointment is effective July 3, 2014 and will terminate December 5, 2016, when the position will be filled by election. Judge McCuskey will fill the vacancy created by the announced retirement of Judge Kevin Galley, which is effective at midnight July 2.

Judge McCuskey will be returning to the same court calendar and the same courtroom in Peoria County where he began his judicial career in 1988 after being elected to the same position—Resident Circuit Judge of Marshall County.

Judge McCuskey retired from the federal bench in May. He was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in April 1998. He served as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District from 2004 through 2012. While a federal judge, he sentenced more than 1,500 convicted defendants to prison, heard more than 250 jury trials and disposed of thousands of civil cases.

“I can’t think of anyone who would be a better fit for this assignment,” said Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, who recommended Judge McCuskey to his colleagues on the Court. “He grew up in the area, he practiced law in the area and he previously served as a judge in the area. He is exceedingly well-qualified. He comes back to the state court in the local circuit with more experience than you can custom order.”

Judge McCuskey has lived most of his life in Marshall County, moving back to Lacon in March. He engaged in the private practice of law in Lacon, from 1975 to 1988, when he was elected to the Circuit Court. In 1990, he was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court from the Third Judicial District—at age 42, then the youngest judge to sit on the Appellate Court-- and served as its Presiding Justice in 1994 and 1998 when he was appointed to the federal bench.

He also served as Marshall County public defender from 1975 to 1988.

“I want to thank the Illinois Supreme Court and Justice Kilbride for the opportunity to serve where I grew up, practiced and began my judicial career,” Judge McCuskey said. “I’m excited to return to the Illinois state court system, serving the people of the State of Illinois again; and I look forward to the variety of cases I will be hearing.”

Though assigned to the Resident Circuit Judge position, Judge McCuskey will be sitting in Peoria, hearing a veritable potpourri of cases: probate, equity, foreclosures, adult guardianships and other non-jury matters.

“I think we’re fortunate to have someone of Judge McCuskey’s caliber and experience interested in serving,” said Chief Judge Stephen Kouri of the 10th Judicial Circuit. “I’m happy and grateful that the Supreme Court has made this appointment, and acted so quickly.”

Judge McCuskey received his juris doctor from Saint Louis University College of Law, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Illinois State University.

He said he will be a candidate for election to the position in 2016.