Elgin attorney Hurlbut to seek judge position

John F. Hurlbut said he long has thought of becoming a judge, but he said the timing just had not been right.

The 51-year-old Elgin attorney said he believes the ideal situation has arrived, and Hurlbut said he will be a Republican candidate for the second sub-circuit judge position in Kane County. The position was created last week when Gov. Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 63.

"I felt this provided a good opportunity for me," Hurlbut said.

He said he has wanted to pursue a the opportunity to become a judge "since my days as a law clerk," but he said that, because his wife, Catherine, is a member of the Kane County Board.

"I've been sensitive to her political career and didn't want to do anything that would interfere with that," Hurlbut said. This position is distinct because it is a brand-new position in the area in which he lives.

Hurlbut is in private practice in his own firm, Hurlbut & Hurlbut, PC, concentrating on civil litigation, particularly matters related to real estate, business disputes and immigration law, Hurlbut said in a news release. Before entering private practice in 1998, he was a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and served as the deputy district counsel for the Immigration and Naturalization Service offices in Illinois and Wisconsin.

He also touted his involvement in the community. He is chairman of the board of directors of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, he has served on the City of Elgin Planning and Development Commission and has been a board member with the United Way of Elgin since 2006. He also is a member of the Elgin Community College Foundation.

"I view this as one way to continue that commitment to public service," he said.