Durbin and Kirk Name Screening Committee for Next U.S. Marshal For Illinois’ Northern District and Announce Application Process

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- The office of Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk today announced the formation of a bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting the next United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. The task of the screening committee is to review applications and make recommendations to the Senators for filling this vacant position.

The screening committee will be comprised of five distinguished Illinoisans drawn from the federal judiciary, the bar, and law enforcement. The committee will be chaired by Orland Park Police Department Chief Tim McCarthy. The other members of the committee are the Honorable Wayne Andersen (ret.), the Honorable Arlander Keys (ret.), Lori Sweeney and David Weisman. Biographies of the screening committee members can be found below.

"The committee combines a wealth of law enforcement and legal experience from across the Northern District. Senator Kirk and I are committed to conducting an open, transparent and nonpartisan search to make recommendations on the next U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois," said Durbin. "Making recommendations to the White House on federal law enforcement positions is one of the most important jobs I have as a U.S. Senator. I thank Senator Kirk for working with me on this process and the members of the screening committee for their willingness to serve."

"Just this week, four gang members were arrested and charged for the ruthless murder of a nine-year old in Chicagoland," Senator Kirk said. "The US Marshals are key to getting these dangerous drug gangs off the streets and ending gun violence in Chicago. I am going to work with Senator Durbin and this strong selection committee to ensure that the next US Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois is committed to this being the top priority."

Application Instructions:

Applications for the position of U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois will be made available on Senator Durbin's and Senator Kirk's websites beginning Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Applicants have until Tuesday, October 7, 2014 to submit their applications for consideration.

The Screening, Recommendation and Nomination Process:

The screening committee will conduct an open application process and will screen applicants with the goal of recommending candidates of top quality and integrity to Senators Durbin and Kirk.

The Senators will then review the screening committee's recommendations, conduct interviews of finalists and - in consultation with one another - agree on a list of names to provide to the White House.

Once the President submits a nomination to the U.S. Senate, the nominee will be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Senator Durbin is a member, and will receive a vote in the committee. The approval of both home state Senators is required for the Senate Judiciary Committee to take up and consider a U.S. Marshal nominee. If a nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nomination will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Until a new U.S. Marshal is confirmed by the Senate, Joel Kirch will serve as Acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois.

Screening Committee for the Northern District of Illinois:

Chief Tim McCarthy (committee chair): Chief McCarthy has served as Chief of the Orland Park Police Department since 1994. He retired from the United States Secret Service in 1993 after 22 years of service, including eight years assigned to the Presidential Protective Division in Washington D.C. and 14 years as a criminal investigator in the Chicago Division. Chief McCarthy also served as a special agent in charge of the Chicago Division from 1989 to 1993. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana his master's degree in criminal / social justice from Lewis University.

The Honorable Wayne Andersen (Retired): Judge Andersen served as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois for 19 years. Before joining the federal court, he served seven years as a state court trial judge. He has presided over thousands of cases during his tenure on the state and federal judiciary. His private practice in law has covered federal and state court general litigation, estate planning, real estate, property taxation, corporate law, banking, probate, and bankruptcy. He is currently an arbitrator and mediator working with JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services).

The Honorable Arlander Keys (Retired): Judge Keys served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Illinois from 1995-2014, including service as Presiding Magistrate Judge from 1998-2003. Previously, he served for nine years as an Administrative Law Judge in the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals. He also worked as a Regional Counsel for the Federal Labor Relations Authority and as a Trial Attorney for the National Labor Relations Board. He is currently affiliated with JAMS as a mediator/arbitrator. He received his B.A. and J.D. from DePaul University. Judge Keys served in the United States Marine Corps from 1963-1967.

Lori Sweeney: Lori Sweeney retired in 2014 from her position as Deputy Chief of the Rockford Police Department after serving the Department for 20 years. She was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief in 2006, serving as the Deputy Chief of Administration from 2006 to 2011. From 2011 to 2014, Sweeney served as leader of the Department's Field Services Bureau, which includes uniformed patrol officers, traffic investigators, community services and the school liaison unit. She serves on the board of Directors of the Rockford YWCA. She has an associate's degree in police science from Blackhawk Technical College, a bachelor's degree in human resources from Judson University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Judson University.

David Weisman: David Weisman is currently a partner at the law firm of Miller Shakman & Beem LLP where he focuses on federal civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Weisman served ten years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, and held various supervisory positions, including Deputy Chief for Project Safe Neighborhoods, where he worked with the U.S. Marshal's Office and other agencies in investigating and prosecuting federal gun offenses. Mr. Weisman also worked closely with the U.S. Marshal's Office in several large-scale gang investigations resulting in more than 70 individuals being prosecuted in federal court.

Mr. Weisman has received two U.S. Department of Justice Director's Awards, including one for his work as the lead prosecutor of Matthew Hale, a white-supremacist who solicited the murder of a federal judge. Mr. Weisman also previously served as a federal law enforcement officer, beginning his professional career as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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