Scannicchio elevated to presiding judge

Cook County Circuit Court Justice Regina Scannicchio has been elevated from acting presiding judge to presiding judge of the Domestic Relations Division by Chief Judge Timothy Evans.

Scannicchio was named acting presiding judge on Sept. 23, 2022. She was first appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2011 after 23 years as a private domestic-relations attorney. Elected in 2012 and retained in 2018, she was assigned to the Domestic Relations Division in 2012.

During her time as acting presiding judge, she focused on continuing education to keep pace with complex, multidisciplinary legal proceedings routinely heard in the division. She also implemented a monthly educational series for judges and quarterly seminars for court coordinators, and created a resource repository for judges, hearing officers and law clerks. In addition, she oversaw the reorganization and revitalization of the Guardian Ad Litem/Child Representative program and expanded the division’s externship program.

Scannicchio also worked with Justice Judith Rice, presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Division, to increase access to justice for litigants filing emergency orders of protection at the Domestic Violence courthouse by allowing them to appear remotely before their regularly assigned Domestic Relations judge.

Prior to her appointment to the bench, Scannicchio was the principal and manager of Scannicchio & Associates P.C., with a practice concentrated in complex divorce litigation. She also served as a guardian ad litem and child representative on behalf of minor children through appointments by the court.