Cheryl Cesario, a lesbian attorney who is an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School, was one of 20 lawyers recently elected to associate judgeships. According to the Chicago Tribune, the associate judges—who serve four-year terms at an annual salary of $139,446—were picked from 40 finalists.
Cesario told Windy City Times that the selection means a lot to her. ‘It’s been a lifelong dream for me to be a judge,’ she said. ‘I feel very fortunate and very lucky. So many people have helped me. It’s just been a wonderful experience.’ Cesario added that her partner—also a judge—is thrilled as well: ‘She’s overjoyed.’
The process to select associate judges is definitely not a short one. ‘We actually applied 19 months before the interview,’ Cesario stated. ‘We were then interviewed by a group of presiding judges. Then, the [finalists] go around and see the judges. The top 20 [vote-getters] then are selected.’ The new judges will be sworn in June 1.