Durbin Chairs Confirmation Hearing for Judge Grederick Kapala

Press Release

DURBIN CHAIRS CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR JUDGE FREDERICK KAPALA

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced Judge Frederick Kapala to the Senate Judiciary Committee as he began his confirmation process. Mr. Kapala has been nominated to fill the sole federal judgeship in Rockford, IL. Kapala's name was sent to the President for his consideration by former Speaker Dennis Hastert in consultation with Durbin and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).

Mr. Kapala has served with distinction as a state court judge in Illinois for the past quarter century. From 1982 to 2001, he was a circuit court judge in Rockford, serving over the years as the presiding judge of the criminal division and the juvenile court. In 2001, he was elevated to the Illinois Appellate Court, and he has served on that court - the second highest state court in Illinois - for the past six years.

Mr. Kapala served in the United States Army, both in active and reserve duty, from 1970 to 1980, after attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from the University of Illinois law school and Marquette University. Before he put on a judicial robe in 1982, Judge Kapala worked in private practice and served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Illinois Attorney General's office prosecuting consumer fraud complaints. He has been an active member of over two dozen community groups and legal associations, and he has been a community leader in organizations that have helped at-risk children and families, the mentally ill, and people dealing with alcoholism. Mr. Kapala and his wife currently reside in Rockford, IL with their two daughters.

"Judge Kapala is an outstanding public servant in the Rockford community," said Durbin. "He is a highly regarded judge with a reputation for fairness that makes him an excellent choice for the U.S. district court. I was happy to join my colleagues in submitting his name to the President to fill this important vacancy and look forward to voting for him on the Senate floor."

The President traditionally respects the wishes of a home-state senator of his own party in making federal district court nominations. In cases where both U.S. senators are of the opposite party from the President, he usually consults with the highest ranking elected official of his own party. The State of Illinois has a long tradition of seeking bipartisan cooperation in the recommendation of federal district court nominees for Presidential consideration.

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