Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judgeship in Central District to White House
Press Release
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today forwarded a list of names to the White House to consider when filling the vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois created by Judge Joe Billy McDade's decision to take senior status.
Based on recommendations made by a bipartisan screening committee in the state and in consultation with members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, Durbin has forwarded the names of the following four individuals to the President for consideration: Colin Bruce, Glenn Collier, Sara Darrow and Gregory Harris.
"Making recommendations to the White House on federal judges is one of the most important jobs I have as a U.S. Senator, and I am pleased that we had so many highly qualified applicants," said Durbin. "The screening committee worked diligently to evaluate each application and I met personally with several applicants the committee thought were particularly noteworthy. I am proud to forward these four names to President Obama -- all of whom are well-qualified individuals who have proven track records in their fields. Each of them would make an outstanding appointment if selected."
Traditionally the President consults with the state's senior senator when making judicial and U.S. Attorney/U.S. Marshal appointments. In April of last year, Durbin established three bipartisan screening committees to assist in selecting U.S. District Court Judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals for Illinois. The screening committees are comprised of 22 distinguished Illinoisans drawn from various aspects of the legal profession and include former judges, prominent litigators, law professors, bar association leaders, former prosecutors and defenders. Springfield attorney James Potter serves as chair of the Central District of Illinois screening committee.
Members of the screening committees held meetings, reviewed applications and references, and conducted interviews. The screening committees recommended the names of several individuals for each vacancy. Durbin reviewed the screening committees' recommendations, conducted interviews of finalists, and submitted his recommendations to the President, who makes the final decisions on nominees.
Once the President submits a judicial nomination to the U.S. Senate, it will be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Senator Durbin is a member and the nominee will receive a hearing and vote in the committee. If approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nominee will then receive a vote by the full Senate.
Biographical descriptions of those recommended by Senator Durbin today follow (listed in alphabetical order):
Colin Bruce. Mr. Bruce has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois since 1989 and has prosecuted major federal crimes involving firearms, drugs, gangs, fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime. He has also directed federal investigations implicating national security. He earned a BA and JD from the University of Illinois.
Glenn Collier. Judge Collier has been an associate judge and circuit court judge in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois since 1995, which covers Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell Counties. From 1988-1995, he served as Deputy Corporation Counsel and then Corporation Counsel for the City of Peoria. From 1985-1988, he worked at the law firm of Jackson Mitchell & Collier in Peoria, and also served as an Assistant Public Defender in Peoria County. From 1975-1985, he served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Peoria. He earned a BA and JD from the University of Illinois.
Sara Darrow. Ms. Darrow has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois since 2003 and has prosecuted major federal crimes involving firearms, drugs, gangs, fraud, money laundering, bank robberies, and cybercrime. From 1999-2003, she worked in the Henry County State's Attorney's Office as an Assistant State's Attorney and then as the First Assistant State's Attorney. From 1997-1998, she worked in the Law Offices of Clarence Darrow in Rock Island. She is a graduate of Saint Louis University law school and Marquette University.
Gregory Harris. Mr. Harris has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois since 2001 and from 1980-1988, and he has prosecuted major federal crimes involving firearms, drugs, gangs, fraud, money laundering, bribery, corruption, and cybercrime. He has served as the Chief of the Criminal Division in that office. From 1988-2001, he was a litigator at the Springfield law firm of Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes. From 1976-1979, he worked in the Office of the State Appellate Defender. He is a graduate of the John Marshall law school and Howard University.
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