Associate Judge Douglas Gruenke has announced he will run for the office of Circuit Judge of the Illinois Fourth Judicial Circuit.  The vacancy was created after Michael McHaney was elected to the Fifth District Appellate Court. Gruenke will run in the Republican primary in 2024.  He was appointed as an associate Judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in 2021, after serving as the Clinton County State’s Attorney.  

Gruenke has presided over court proceedings in all nine counties in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.  “Having the opportunity to conduct court in all nine counties in our circuit has allowed me to meet many wonderful and hardworking people from every corner of the circuit.  It would be a privilege to receive their support for Circuit Judge.”

Judge Gruenke is a graduate of Wesclin High School in Trenton, Illinois, he graduated from SIUE and SIU School of Law.  He and his wife call New Baden home near Mascoutah and he has served in many facilities in and around Clinton County.  The Illinois Fourth Judicial Circuit is comprised of Christian, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties.