The Latino Leadership Council released the following statement regarding the recent announcement that District Judge Ruben Castillo will be retiring effective September 27, 2019. The Latino Leadership Council commends Judge Ruben Castillo on a distinguished judicial career that spanned 25 years and saw him serve the Northern District of Illinois as its first Latino Chief Judge. He has been steadfast in administering justice fairly and working towards a more diverse and inclusive judiciary. Judge Castillo has served as a mentor for many Latino/a/x lawyers and his work will serve as a model for generations to come. “The LLC calls on Senators Durbin and Duckworth, and their screening committee, to recommend a Latino/a/x replacement for Judge Castillo’s seat. There are ample qualified Latino/a/x candidates who would serve the Northern District of Illinois with distinction,” stated Council Chair Juan Morado Jr. “The current number of Latino/a/x judges in the Northern District is dismally low, and the senators have an opportunity to ensure parity for this important institution and show their strong support for the Latino community. We feel strongly that the court should be reflective of the community it serves,” Morado added. The LLC was established in 2018 by civic, business, and elected leaders to work towards increasing Latino/a/x participation and representation in both the public and private sectors.