MARK CLARKE SELECTED JUDGE

MARION, Ill. -- Mark Clarke has been selected a new associate judge in the 1st Judicial Circuit.

Clarke, of Cairo, and Thomas H. Jones of Murphysboro were announced last week as the two choices for new judges from among 17 candidates.

The 1st Judicial Circuit is composed of Jackson, Williamson, Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties.

"It's a good Christmas present for me," said Clarke, former state's attorney in Alexander County. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity. "I'll work as hard as I can to live up to the trust and confidence that the judges placed in selecting me."

Clarke, 35, did not seek a third term as state's attorney in the November election.

Jones, 47, has been city attorney at Murphysboro since 1975.

Clarke and Jones received a majority vote of the 14 circuit judges on the first ballot last week. Their terms will expire June 30, 1995.

Associate judges serve across the circuit and handle primarily traffic and small-claims cases. They also serve four weeks each in Cook County. Associate judges cannot preside over felony criminal cases without approval from the Illinois Supreme Court.

Associate judges receive a salary of $81,044 a year.

The selection of Clark and Jones will give the circuit a total of 20 judges 13 circuit judges and seven associate judges. The circuit has been operating with 18 judges for several months.