Former Prosecutor Replaces Retired Lake County Circuit Judge

WAUKEGAN, IL — The Illinois Supreme Court appointed a former assistant state's attorney who was appointed to the Lake County bench 18 months ago to fill the vacancy created by last week's retirement of a circuit judge.

Associate Judge Reginald Mathews, of Lindenhurst, will serve out the remainder of the term of retired former Circuit Judge Jay Ukena. Mathews will take over as circuit judge for the 1st subcircuit on March 2, Chief Judge Diane Winter announced Monday.

"Congratulations to Judge Mathews," Winter said in a release. "Reggie is an outstanding jurist and a highly respected member of the legal profession and Lake County community. He possesses outstanding qualities of experience, fairness, and regard for all."

There are 15 circuit judges in Lake County, the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois. They are elected to six-year terms, with a 60 percent vote required for retention. There are also 25 associate judges chosen via a secret vote by circuit judges to serve four-year terms.

Ukena, of Wadsworth, announced his retirement Thursday, effective immediately. He spent 11 years on the bench after a nearly three-decade career in private practice. Ukena, 72, was named deputy chief judge in January 2016 and elected as chief judge in June 2017. According to the Lake County News-Sun, he was the first Democrat to serve as the circuit's chief judge.

Mathews, 47, is a Lake County native who earned a law degree from Louisiana State University and has practiced law in Illinois for more than 18 years. According to a news release, he previously worked a probation officer and as the chief of the gang and narcotics division of the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

"To whom much is given, much is required. I am blessed. I am honored. I am humbled. I was born and raised in Waukegan and North Chicago, and was a paperboy for the Waukegan News-Sun," Mathews said. "Being named a Circuit Judge is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I am guided by the law and my faith; dedicated to providing all who enter our courtrooms with an opportunity to be heard. "

Mathews, who was appointed an associate judge in June 2018, is the second-ever black person to become a judge in Lake County, after Illinois Appellate Court Judge George Bridges, and the only black judge currently on the 19th Judicial Circuit.

"I would like to thank Justice Robert Thomas and his colleagues on the Illinois Supreme Court for their confidence by appointing me to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Ukena," Mathews said.

To keep the seat as one of the 15 circuit judges after 2022, he must be nominated in the subcircuit in the March 2022 primary and win the general election that November.

"Judge Ukena was a fair-minded, experienced, and knowledgeable jurist, and tremendous leader. I also would like to thank our current Chief, Judge Diane Winter, and all my fellow judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit for their professionalism, friendship, and advice throughout my legal career," he said. "Finally, I would like to acknowledge my family and my church for their unwavering love and support throughout my life."

Related:
Circuit Judge Jay Ukena Retires From Lake County Bench
Libertyville Attorney Is Newest Lake County Associate Judge
Local Attorneys Angle To Become Lake County Judges

Lake County is divided into six judicial subcircuits (map), with Mathews' 1st subcircuit running from North Chicago to Zion.

In the upcoming March 17 primary, there is a contested Democratic Party primary for judge. In the 3rd subcircuit, two local prosecutors and two private attorneys are running for the former seat of the late Circuit Judge Thomas Schippers.

Associate Judge Christopher Morozin is running unopposed in the Republican Party primary for the subcircuit, which extends from Long Grove to Mundelein.