Durbin Announces Slazinik Retained as U.S. Marshal in Illinois' Southern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that President Obama has chosen Don Slazinik to be officially retained as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. Because he is currently the U.S. Marshal for that district – having been nominated and confirmed in 2002 – there is no need for him to be re-nominated and re-confirmed. Based on recommendations made by a bipartisan screening committee in the state, Durbin submitted Slazinik and two other candidates to the President for consideration on July 6.
“I am happy to see that Don Slazinik will stay on as U.S. Marshal in Southern Illinois,” Durbin said. “Through decades of service to Illinois and his country, Don has established a reputation for responsibility and professionalism in the law enforcement community. I am confident that he will continue to do an excellent job.”
Slazinik has served as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois since 2002. From 1986-2002, he was the Chief of Police for the O’Fallon Police Department. Prior to that, Mr. Slazinik served as Police Chief in both Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Storm Lake, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army and in the U.S. Marine Corps in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. He has won numerous awards for his work in law enforcement.
Traditionally the President consults with the state’s senior senator when making judicial and U.S. Attorney/U.S. Marshal appointments. In April, Durbin established three bipartisan screening committees to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals for Illinois. The screening committees are comprised of 22 distinguished Illinoisans drawn from various aspects of the legal profession and include former judges, prominent litigators, law professors, bar association leaders, former prosecutors and defenders.
Members of the screening committees met throughout the spring and early summer, reviewing applications and references, and conducting interviews. In total, they reviewed nearly 150 applications for three Federal District Court Judge positions in the Northern District; the U.S. Attorney positions in the Central District and Southern District; and the U.S. Marshal positions in all three Districts. The screening committees recommended the names of several individuals for each vacancy.
Durbin reviewed the screening committees’ recommendations, conducted interviews of finalists, and, in consultation with members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, submitted his recommendations to the President, who today made the final decision for U.S. Marshal in the Southern District of Illinois.