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New Second Circuit Judge named in Richland County

Monday, March 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM

By Steve Anderson

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointment of Chelsey Clark as Resident Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit, Richland County.

Clark will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ray Vaughn. The appointment becomes effective Friday, April 17th and will end on Monday, December 7th. Clark will run unopposed for the seat in the November 2026 general election.

Clark has been the Richland County State's Attorney since 2024. She had previously served as an assistant state's attorney here in neighboring Lawrence County and also in Richland County. She began her career as a practicing attorney with the Clark Law Office in Olney. She is a graduate of the SIU School of Law in Carbondale, Illinois.

The Second Judicial Circuit includes Richland, Lawrence, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Wabash, Wayne and White Counties in southeastern Illinois.