Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court announced on April 29 the appointment of Chelsey Elizabeth Clark as Resident Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit, Richland County.
Clark will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Ray Vaughn. Her appointment begins on April 17, 2026, and will continue until December 7, 2026. She is running unopposed for this seat in the upcoming November general election.
“I would like to thank Justice Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court for this appointment,” Clark said. “It is an honor to serve the citizens of Richland County, and it is a privilege and responsibility I do not take lightly.”
Clark has served as Richland County State’s Attorney since 2024. Before that role, she worked as an assistant state’s attorney in both Lawrence and Richland counties. Earlier in her career, she practiced at Clark Law Office in Olney with a focus on family law, estates, and probate matters.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and received her Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
The Second Judicial Circuit covers Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties.
