The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Monday that Joshua A. Meyer received a majority of the votes cast by the circuit judges in the Seventh Judicial Circuit and is declared to be appointed to the office of associate judge. Mr. Meyer received his undergraduate degree in 1998 from Blackburn University, Carlinville, and his Juris Doctor in 2001 from St. Louis University. Mr. Meyer is currently affiliated with the Macoupin County Public Defender's Office, Carlinville.

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Circuit Court Judge Thomas R. Appleton to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fourth Judicial District. He has served by assignment on the Appellate Court since December 2001. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment of Judge Appleton to the Appellate Court. The appointment is effective June 4, 2010 and expires December 6, 2010. Judge Appleton is running unopposed for the seat in the November election and he is virtually assured of winning a full 10-year term. Judge Appleton was elected a Circuit judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1992. Before his election to the judiciary, Judge Appleton engaged in the private practice of law in Sangamon County from 1981-1992. He was a law clerk for the Fourth District Appellate Court from 1976-1978 when he became research director for the Appellate Court. In 1979, Judge Appleton was appointed Clerk of the Fourth Judicial District Appellate Court, where he served until 1981. He received his juris doctor degree from lIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1976. "Since assigned to the Appellate Court in 2001, I have enjoyed my service with the Fourth District Appellate Court. I appreciate the confidence that the Illinois Supreme Court and Justice Garman has shown in appointing me to the existing vacancy on the court," said Judge Appleton. Judge Appleton is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association. The Fourth Judicial District is made up of 30 counties across central Illinois.

Robert T. Trimpe, 84, of Champaign passed away in late March at his residence. Mr. Trimpe, who practiced in Champaign County for over 50 years, was honored by the ISBA as a Senior Counsellor in 2006. He attended Quincy schools and graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific and was involved in the invasion of Okinawa. He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in 1949 with a BS degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Georgetown University Law School in 1953 with a LLB degree and a Jurist Doctorate in 1967. Click here to read the full obituary in the Champaign News-Gazette

Central Illinois

• Shirley Skinner found guilty of murder, Springfield State Journal-Register

Chicago area

• Jury weighing case of fatal nail polishing vehicle crash, Daily Herald
• Niece gives aunt, 100, eviction notice, Chicago Tribune
• Ex-cop Burge goes on trial for perjury, Chicago Tribune
• Stevens explains death penalty stance, bow ties, ABA Journal

Nation

• Plea agreement in grain fraud case; "Madoff of the Midwest" bilked farmers out of millions, Belleville News-Democrat
• Appeals court puts halt to release of militia, Chicago Sun-Times

This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.