The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Associate Judge Bradley T. Paisley as the resident circuit judge of Christian County in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Judge Paisley was appointed Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the December 31, 2015, retirement of resident Circuit Judge Ronald D. Spears. The appointment takes effect July 11, 2016.

"I am humbled, honored and thankful to the Justices of the Supreme Court of Illinois for the appointment as resident circuit judge of Christian County. I will work hard every day to justify their faith and trust in me," Judge Paisley said.

"Filling the shoes of Judge Ron Spears is a daunting task. I am thankful I have had the privilege of having Ron as my mentor for the last nine years to help prepare me for this challenge, and the unconditional love and support of my wife, Karin, and my entire family. I will do my absolute best to carry on the proud tradition of excellent judges from Christian County and look forward to continuing to serve the people of Christian County in this new position."

Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier recommended the appointment to the full Court after Chief Judge Michael D. McHaney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit requested that the vacancy be filled before December 5, 2016, when the position is filled by the 2016 General Election.

Judge Paisley is the only candidate seeking election to fill the vacancy left by Judge Spears and will be unopposed on the November ballot. He was recommended for the position in a judicial advisory poll that the Illinois State Bar Association conducted for the upcoming election.

"Judge Paisley has been an outstanding member of the Fourth Circuit judiciary and Christian County is fortunate to have him become their resident circuit judge," Chief Judge McHaney said.

Judge Paisley was appointed as an associate judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in August 2007 and was reappointed to four-year terms in 2011 and 2015. He currently hears criminal cases and presides over specialty courts in the Christian County Courthouse in Taylorville.

Prior to joining the judiciary, Judge Paisley was the Christian County State's Attorney from 2004 to 2007 and a private practitioner at law firms in Decatur and Taylorville from 1995 to 2004. He clerked for the Fourth District Appellate Court from 1994 to 1995.

Judge Paisley was born in Springfield and attended high school in Taylorville. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from University of Illinois in 1991 and received his Juris Doctorate degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 1994.