Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Monday that an application process has begun to fill a vacancy in the Fifth District Appellate Court.

The vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Appellate Justice James M. Wexstten, effective January 29, 2014.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier will use a special committee to evaluate and interview the applicants before making a recommendation to the Court to fill the vacancy.

An Applicant Information Form may be obtained from Justice Karmeier at P.O. Box 266, Nashville, IL 62263. The Information Form may also be obtained from any of the Chief Judges in the Fifth Judicial District. The Chief Judges are: Judge Mark Clarke, First Judicial Circuit, Marion; Judge Thomas Tedeschi, Second Judicial Circuit, Benton; Judge David Hylla, Third Judicial Circuit, Edwardsville; Judge Gene Schwarm, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Vandalia; and Judge John Baricevic, 20th Judicial Circuit, Belleville.

Applications must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Friday, January 31, 2014. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November 2016 General Election. The appointment will terminate December 5, 2016. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a citizen of the United States, a licensed Illinois attorney in good standing, and a resident of the Fifth Judicial District at the time of the appointment.

The Fifth Judicial District is comprised of 37 southern Illinois counties. They are: Alexander, Bond, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Shelby, St. Clair, Wabash, Wayne, Washington, White, Williamson and Union.