“The role of a Fifth District Appellate Court judge is to review the decisions of trial judges throughout the 37 counties that make up the District. Judge Wexstten spent over 18 years as a trial judge, making those decisions every day. That’s why he was unanimously selected by the Supreme Court of Illinois to serve as judge on the appellate court to earlier this year. Judge Wexstten’s exceptional work has earned him a full term on the Court.”

-- Retired Supreme Court Justice Phil Rarick

The Fifth District Appellate Court is the appeals court for the trial courts in 37 of the southernmost counties in Illinois. Appellate Court judges sit in panels of three judges to review decisions made by trial court judges from those 37 counties; and, therefore, the most important experience for an appellate court judge is to have served as a trial judge.

In early 2007, the Supreme Court of Illinois was given the difficult task of finding a judge to replace Appellate Court Judge Terry Hopkins after his untimely death. After reviewing the credentials of judges throughout Southern Illinois and the findings of a bi-partisan screening committee, the Court unanimously selected one of Southern Illinois’ most experienced judges – Judge James Wexstten.

With over 18 years experience as a circuit judge, including two terms as a Chief Circuit Judge, and his statewide reputation as a past president of the Illinois Judges Association, Jim Wexstten had the kind of real-life experience as a trial judge necessary to step into the role of an appellate court judge.

Now Judge Wexstten is running to keep his job on the Appellate Court. As a current appellate court judge and the only candidate with any judicial experience at all, Jim Wexstten is by far the most qualified candidate for the Appellate Court.

Keep an exceptional appellate court judge working for us – Judge James Wexstten.