Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan is proud to confirm that Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have appointed Chelsey E. Clark to the position of Resident Circuit Judge of Richland County. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Richland County Resident Circuit Judge Ray Vaughn. Clark won the Republican nomination in the recent primary election and is unopposed in the November general election. This appointment is effective April 17, 2026 and will conclude on December 7, 2026.
Clark earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and her Juris Doctorate Degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Clark began her legal career with Clark Law Office in Olney, focusing on family law, estates and probate law. She has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Second Circuit counties of Lawrence and Richland, and has served as the Richland County State Attorney since 2024.
Clark expressed her gratitude for the appointment stating, “I would like to thank Justice Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court for this appointment. I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust placed in me. As I take on this responsibility, I will work diligently to ensure that every individual who comes before the court is treated with respect and receives equal justice under the law. I look forward to serving Richland County and the Second Judicial Circuit.”
The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of twelve counties: Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
