Former Kendall County chief judge to retire in July

Kendall County Judge Tim McCann will retire later this summer.

McCann, an Oswego area native who served a nine-year stint as Kendall County State's Attorney, announced in a statement issued Thursday, May 23, he has notified 23rd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Robert Pilmer that he plans to retire effective Tuesday, July 9.

McCann said the Illinois Supreme Court will select his replacement.

"I spoke with (Supreme Court) Justice Robert Thomas on Monday (May 20) and I am aware that he is in the process of making his selection. That person, once appointed, will hold my office until the election cycle of 2020. I assume that the person will run for election during 2020, but legally that is not required," McCann said.

He continued, "In keeping with Supreme Court past practices, I would not be surprised to see my seat remain vacant for 30 days, which means the new person may not be seated until around Aug. 8."

There is no mandatory time frame for the selection of a new judge.

Over the course of his career, McCann said he has enjoyed the pleasure of "working with the finest people in Kendall County."

"I can’t say enough about the quality of the people that work in this (courthouse) building. I am proud to have known and work with each and every one of them. I won’t name them because the list would be very long," McCann said.

He concluded, "I will always be indebted to the people of Kendall County. They have elected me and supported me and my family throughout my career. I always felt that I never owned these positions. I rented them from the people and I will be eternally grateful to them."

A 1977 Oswego High School graduate, McCann earned a bachelor's degree at Aurora University and then went on to earn his law degree at Northern Illinois University. He was elected Kendall County State's Attorney in 1996 and re-elected in 2000 and 2004. He left the state's attorney's office upon his appointment as an associate judge in 2005. He served as chief judge for the 23rd Circuit from 2012 to 2016.