Associate Judge Douglas Gruenke of New Baden has announced that he will run for the office of Circuit Judge of the Illinois Fourth Judicial Circuit in the 2024 Republican Primary.
The position is open because of the election of Michael McHaney of Salem to the Appellate Court. Gruenke is a past Clinton County State’s Attorney and was in private practice for 18 years, representing and advising municipalities, small businesses, and private citizens, as well as being the City of Centralia attorney.
Gruenke is a graduate of Wesclin High School in Trenton, SIU-E, and SIU School of Law.
Gruenke is married and has four children. He has coached a number of youth teams, been on several non-profit boards, and has been a Sunday School Teacher for 20 years.
The Fourth Judicial Circuit includes Marion, Clinton, Clay, and Fayette County along with five others.
