Kankakee County Circuit Judge William S. Dickenson was selected by his fellow 21st Judicial Circuit judges as the next chief judge. Seven circuit judges and five associate judges preside over cases in the 21st Circuit. “Judge Dickenson has the experience and skills to be successful as Chief Judge, and he will have the strong support of all of his colleagues.”No judge may serve as Chief Judge more than two consecutive 2-year terms unless a Chief Judge is serving as Chair of the Conference of Chief Judges. Dickenson was appointed as an associate judge on Aug. 16, 2018, and elected as a circuit judge in December 2020. The chief judge of a judicial circuit is a position created under the Illinois constitution.