By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Erik Karl Jacobs, an attorney with more than 30 years experience in private practice, has been selected to serve as the next judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court.
Jacobs will fill the vacancy on the bench created by the retirement of Judge Joseph McGraw, the former chief judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers Boone and Winnebago counties. Jacobs will be serve from Aug. 15 to Dec. 2, 2024, when the term ends after the next general election. He would have to seek election to continue after that.
“Attorney Erik Jacobs is a wonderful example of a servant leader,” Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White said in a news release. “While his extensive legal experience and expertise are widely recognized, he has shown, by his activities outside of the legal profession, a lifelong commitment to bettering the Rockford community. The citizens of the 17th Circuit will be well served by his addition to the judiciary.”
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Jacobs is a partner at Cicero, France & Alexander, where he has worked since 2015. He was previously a partner at Hyzer, Hyzer & Jacobs, where he worked from 1999 to 2015. He was an associate at Konstantacos, Traum, Reuterfors & McWilliams from 1993 to 1999.
He also served for two years as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Philip Reinhard for the Northern District of Illinois.
Jacobs earned his bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Iowa and his juris doctor with honor from the Northern Illinois University College of Law.
He has also worked as the hearing officer for Winnebago County since 1997 and has served as general counsel for the Rockford Area Apartment Association.
He has volunteered with several area nonprofits, including the City of Rockford Homestead Board, where he served as chairman, Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center, Rockford Cosmopolitan Charities and Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, where he serves on the executive committee.
“I am grateful and honored to have been selected by Justice Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as the next circuit judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit,” Jacobs said in a news release. “I am truly humbled. I look forward to serving the citizens of Winnebago and Boone Counties for many years to come.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas