Cason seeks 20th Circuit judgeship

An East St. Louis native and associate circuit judge, Laninya A. Cason is the lone Republican candidate seeking the seat of Circuit Judge vacated by Judge Milton S. Wharton in the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Now a resident of Belleville, Cason was sworn in Feb. 2, 2003, becoming one of the youngest sitting judges in the state of Illinois.

Cason said taking the step from Associate to Circuit Judge seemed like a logical step as she has picked up duties in the past that are normally handled by circuit judges.

Cason received a bachelor of science in finance in 1992 and a Masters in education in 1993 from University of Illinois. She received her doctor of jurisprudence from University of Tennessee in 1996.

While completing her law degree, Cason began a clerkship at the national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson. In 1996, she became a full-time attorney at the firm and was elected partner in 2002, becoming the first African-American female partner in the firm since it was founded in 1934.

Cason said her background of growing up in the impoverished city of East St. Louis, as well as attending college and law school, give her the ability to work with a wide range of people in a compassionate manner.

"I've seen both sides," Cason said. "I can deal with the best of the best and the worst of the worst. Nothing is a surprise to me."

Cason has served as defense counsel and prosecutor for traffic matters for the city of East St. Louis. She has also served as head corporate counsel for the village of Washington Park and represented small employers for Illinois Department of Employment Security hearings.

Currently Cason is the presiding judge in the probate division.

She said diversity on the bench is important because it ensure everybody is represented equally.

"I'm certain people know that when they come before Judge Cason, she is going to be a fair judge," she said. "I think my record, my character, my personality are all what lend myself to me taking this next step and becoming a circuit judge to serve the citizens of the 20th Judicial Circuit."

Cason is unopposed in the republican primary, but will face either Zina Cruse or Anne Keeley in the General Election.

The 20th Judicial Circuit includes Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties.

stephen.rickerl@thesouthern.com

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