Durbin & Kirk: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Nomination of U.S. Marshal in Illinois’ Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved President Obama’s nominee, Edward Gilmore, to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. Gilmore’s nomination must now be voted on by the full Senate.
“Edward Gilmore’s knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the Northern District,” said Durbin. “He will bring a wealth of law enforcement and managerial experience to the position of U.S. Marshal. It was an honor to recommend Edward’s name to President Obama and I look forward to voting for his confirmation in the Senate.”
“Throughout his long career in law enforcement, most recently as chief of the Calumet City Police Department, Edward Gilmore has been dedicated to keeping our communities safe,” Senator Kirk said. “I look forward to voting to confirm him as the new U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois so he can bring his leadership to the Marshals’ efforts against violent crime.”
Gilmore has served as the Chief of the Calumet City Police Department since 2008. He previously worked for over 20 years at the Drug Enforcement Administration and for 10 years as an officer in the Chicago Police Department where he served on the FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force. He is a past president of the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police, and he currently serves on the board of directors of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. He received his B.S. from Bradley University in 1977.
The Screening, Recommendation and Nomination Process:
Last November, Durbin and Kirk recommended three candidates for the position of U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois to President Obama for consideration. The three finalists were the same as those recommended by the Senators’ bipartisan screening committee. The screening committee was empaneled in September and asked to aid Durbin and Kirk in the search for the next United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois.
The screening committee was comprised of five distinguished Illinoisans drawn from the federal judiciary, the bar, and law enforcement. The committee was chaired by Orland Park Police Department Chief Tim McCarthy. The other members of the committee were the Honorable Wayne Andersen (ret.), the Honorable Arlander Keys (ret.), Lori Sweeney and David Weisman.
The screening committee conducted an open application process and screened applicants with the goal of recommending candidates of top quality and integrity to Durbin and Kirk. The committee interviewed applicants and formally recommended the finalists to Durbin and Kirk in October.
Over the course of October and November, the Senators reviewed the screening committee’s recommendations, conducted interviews of finalists and – in consultation with one another – agreed on the list of names being provided 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 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.