17th Circuit Selects Scott R. Paccagnini and Amy K. Peterman as New Associate Judges

February 23, 2023 – Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, and John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, are delighted to announce that the 17^th Circuit Judges have selected attorneys Scott R. Paccagnini and Amy K. Peterman as Associate Judges of the 17^th Judicial Circuit.  These vacancies are based on the allocation of two additional associate judgeships granted to the 17^th Judicial Circuit pursuant to the Associate Judges Act (705 ILCS 45/2.1).   Mr. Paccagnini and Ms. Peterman will both take their oath of office at a public swearing-in ceremony scheduled to start 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 North Main Street, Rockford, Illinois 61101.

“Both of these qualified attorneys bring a breadth of experience and devotion to public service, qualities which will translate well to the bench,” said Chief Judge John S. Lowry.  “We are confident they will serve the 17^th Judicial Circuit with humility and integrity. We look forward to their service.”

Mr. Paccagnini received his undergraduate degree in English from Truman State University in 1998 and his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law with honors in 2002.  Since 2011, he has served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois (Rockford Office), where he is currently the branch chief.  His prior legal experience includes working as a trial attorney for the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller and Currency and for the United States Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in Washington, D.C., and as a law clerk to Judge P. Michael Mahoney in Rockford.  Mr. Paccagnini has also served as an adjunct professor for Rockford University and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

“I am humbled at the opportunity to serve our community as an associate judge,” said Mr. Paccagnini commenting on his selection.  “This is a great honor and I look forward to joining the outstanding circuit and associate judges on the 17th Judicial Circuit.  I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support.”

Attorney Paccagnini is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, the Rockford Federal Bar Association, and the National Federal Bar Association.  His involvement with community and civic organizations includes associations with Children’s Home and Aid Northern Region Advisory Council, Motherhouse Crisis Nursery, and Rockton Lions Club.   He is a member of the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Ms. Peterman attended The George Washington University graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2003 with a B.A. in American Studies.  In 2009, she received her Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law.  Ms. Peterman served as an assistant public defender in the Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office between 2010 and 2019.  Since 2020, she has worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where she currently serves as Supervisory Regional Counsel for Winnebago and Boone Counties.

Commenting on her selection, Ms. Peterman stated, “I am truly humbled and honored by the opportunity to continue serving my community in this new capacity. As a lifetime resident, I am committed to continuing to invest in the growth, development, and betterment of a community that has given me tremendous support and opportunities.  I want to thank my family, friends, colleagues, and community for their continued encouragement and support on this new endeavor.” 

Attorney Peterman is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.  Her involvement with community and civic organizations includes associations with the executive board of the Roscoe Parent Teacher Organization, Boy Scouts of America, Rockford Rescue Mission, and the 317 Art Collaborative.  She has served as a volunteer mentor in connection with the court’s Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program and attended the Judicial Academy at the National Judicial College.

PDF of Press Release