Proposed amendment would require experience to become judge

The Illinois Senate proposed requiring candidates for judicial seats to have 10 to 15 years experience as a licensed lawyer, according to the Springfield Journal-Register.

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 120 was the only amendment out of seven to advance April 12 from a Senate subcommittee.

“The intent is to limit the ability of lawyers who have been licensed for one, two or three years who run on the basis of ballot position and a nice-sounding last name,” said Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, who sponsors the idea and heads the subcommittee.

Harmon’s judicial experience amendment will be considered next by the Senate Executive Committee.