Second Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan is honored to announce that local attorney Jim Giacone has been sworn-in as Resident Circuit Judge of Franklin County. Judge Giacone was elected in the general election in November after having won his party’s nomination in a contested primary in March. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Franklin County Courthouse where Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet presided and administered the Oath of Office in the presence of a crowded courtroom of family, friends, and colleagues.
A native of Benton, Judge Giacone is a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1995 in business administration and his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1998. He began his legal career as an Associate with Brown, Hay & Stephens in Springfield before joining private practice in Benton with his father, Attorney Ronald Giacone. Judge Giacone then accepted a position with FMGR Attorneys in Carbondale where he remained with that firm until joining the judiciary. Judge Giacone also served as Managing Partner of FMGR from 2014-2022.
Judge Giacone shared his thoughts on being sworn-in stating, “I am honored to be assuming the role as Resident Circuit Judge of Franklin County. It is very humbling to look back at the careers of the judges who have held this seat and to think that I am tasked with filling their shoes. I look forward to the challenge and will strive to uphold the high standards of honor and integrity of my predecessors and all of the judges of the Second Circuit. I am thankful for all of my new colleagues on the bench who have reached out with advice and offers to assist me with my new position. We have a great group of judges in the circuit and I am looking forward to working with all of them. I want to thank everyone who helped with my campaign. So many of my family and friends took time out of their lives to help and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you to my parents for encouraging me to pursue a career in law and for always challenging me to push myself to achieve goals. Thank you to my children, Mitch and Lucy for being great kids and for making my life complete. T o my wife Julie, thank you for being my number one supporter for over 30 years. Everything we have done we have done as a team. Without her love and support none of this would have been possible. Finally, thank you to the voters of Franklin County for trusting me to be your judge. I will work hard to uphold the high standards that the public deserves in its judiciary and I look forward to getting started.”
Chief Judge Morgan added, “I am honored to welcome Judge Giacone to the judiciary. He brings to the bench extensive experience in the law and a commitment to serve the people of Franklin County. I am confident he will serve with integrity, impartiality, and compassion, and my fellow judges and I congratulate him and look forward to serving with him.”
The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of 12 counties: Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
Pictured (Left to Right): Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge Jim Giacone, Julie Giacone, Lucy Giacone, Mitch Giacone, and Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet.
