Durbin Outlines Process to Nominate Next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the search process that he and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) have agreed to follow for the selection of the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
“Earlier today, I met with outgoing U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. I thanked him for his service and the integrity he brought to the job and discussed with him the process Senator Kirk and I have established to select his replacement,” Durbin said.
“Senator Kirk and I are committed to conducting an open, transparent and nonpartisan search to nominate the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. We have agreed to create a bipartisan screening committee comprised of six distinguished Illinoisans drawn from the legal profession to help us find Patrick Fitzgerald’s replacement.”
“Our Illinois panelists will conduct a nationwide search to identify the top candidates for U.S. Attorney,” said Senator Kirk. “This non-partisan process ensures the nominee will maintain the continuity of fighting corruption that Patrick Fitzgerald has established. Senator Durbin and I are committed to this process and are eager to work together to find the right person for the job.”
Each Senator will select three members of the committee, including one co-chair. Once established, the 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 any U.S. Attorney nominee. If a nomination is approved by the Judiciary Committee, the nominee will receive a vote by the full Senate.
On average, it takes between two to four months to confirm a U.S. Attorney once that nomination is sent to the Senate.
Until a new U.S. Attorney is confirmed by the Senate, the Department of Justice announced today that Gary Shapiro will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.