Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Brian Shinkle as a Resident Circuit Judge for Edwards County in the Second Judicial Circuit.
Shinkle fills the vacancy left by the passing of Judge Michael J. Valentine on November 5th. His appointment will take effect on February 10th and will last until December 7 of next year, following the November 2026 general election.
Justice Overstreet recommended Shinkle’s appointment to the full Court after a review conducted by a four-person screening committee. The committee included The Honorable David Franklin (committee chair), attorney Jeffrey Fleming of Jeffrey Fleming Attorney at Law, attorney Gregory Stewart of Conger & Elliott, Prof. Corp, and attorney Letitia B. Wiggins of Wiggins Law, LLC.
With 30 years of legal experience, Shinkle has been in general practice at the Law Office of Brian Shinkle since 2008. From 2013 to 2022, he served as Public Defender for White and Edwards counties and has continued in that role for Edwards County, representing indigent clients as appointed by the court. He has also been the City Attorney for Albion since 2022. Previously, from 1992 to 2008, Shinkle served as Edwards County State’s Attorney, where he oversaw criminal prosecutions and was elected four times. Additionally, he has served in the United States Marine Corps, both on active duty and in reserve roles.
Brian Shinkle earned his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis School of Law.
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