Dick Durbin: “I speak in support of Jorge Alonso, who has been nominated to serve as a Federal district court judge in the Northern…”

“I speak in support of Jorge Alonso, who has been nominated to serve as a Federal district court judge in the Northern District of Illinois. He will fill the vacancy that opened when Judge Ronald Guzman took senior status last month. Judge Alonso is an outstanding nominee for the Federal bench. He was reported out of the Judiciary Committee last month on a unanimous voice vote. I want to thank Chairman Leahy for his efforts to move Judge Alonso's nomination promptly through the Judiciary Committee, and I want to thank the majority leader, Senator Reid, for scheduling this vote on the floor. Since 2003, Jorge Alonso has served as an associate judge for the Cook County Judicial Circuit. He is currently in his third appointed term as a State trial court judge. Judge Alonso has presided over hundreds of cases that have gone to verdict or judgment, including at least 88 jury trials. He also presides over the Women's Justice Mental Health Call in Cook County. Judge Alonso helped to create this program, which provides intensive support and services to women in the justice system who have suffered from trauma and addiction. Prior to serving as a State court judge, Judge Alonso served for 12 years as an assistant public defender in Cook County. As a public defender, he participated in approximately 30 jury trials and 150 bench trials.…”