Rockford assistant city attorney named new 17th Judicial Circuit judge

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — An attorney in the city of Rockford’s legal department has been named the next judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Winnebago County.

Assistant City Attorney Erin Hannigan will serve as resident circuit judge for Subcircuit 1. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge John Lowry. Hannigan will begin her term on the bench on Jan. 20 and serve until Dec. 7, 2026.

Hannigan’s selection was announced Tuesday by Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court.

“Ms. Hannigan has dedicated her professional life to serving others,” Holder White said in a news release. “Her legal knowledge and experience, along with her enthusiasm and servant leadership style, make her an excellent choice for the position of circuit judge. She will serve the people of Winnebago County well in this new role.”

Hannigan has been assistant city attorney in Rockford since 2023. Before that she worked as an assistant public defender in the Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office since 2005. She has also been active in the Rockford Community Relations Commission, the Winnebago County Bar Foundation and the Rockford Area Arts Council.

“It is an honor to have this opportunity to serve my community as a member of the bench. It has been a privilege to serve as an advocate, committed to the law and fairness. I will carry those values with me as I continue to serve the people of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit,” Hannigan said in a news release. “I want to thank Justice Holder White and the selection committee for their confidence in me and giving me this opportunity.”

Hannigan earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her juris doctorate from Hamline University School of Law in Minnesota. The news release states that her professional affiliations include the Winnebago County Bar Association, serving as chairperson of the Criminal Law Section for multiple terms, the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association and the Illinois Defense Counsel.

Hannigan is running in the Democratic primary for the seat to which she’s been appointed. She’ll face Paul Carpenter, president of the Rockford School Board, for the party’s nomination. No Republican candidates have filed.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas