Kane County Judge Robert Spence was appointed chief judge of Illinois 16th Judicial Circuit and will begin his new position in December.

“I am excited for him,” said Circuit Judge Kurt Klein. “I think he is going to be a great chief judge. He is going to energize the system and I look forward to working with him.”

Spence was appointed to the position of chief judge by his peers in the 16th Judicial District of Illinois.

Current Chief Judge F. Keith Brown, who is finishing serving his two-year term, said he wishes Spence the best of luck.

“I think he is very well organized and he will be a fantastic leader,” Brown said. “He will be able to bring in some new programming and expand on some of the things I have already done. I am excited for him in his new position.”

Brown also said he doesn’t know what he will do next but he will always look back on his time as chief judge with fondness.

“It was one of the best experiences I have ever had,” Brown said. “It is a position in which you have an opportunity to make positive changes in the legal system and an opportunity to work with and meet many fantastic people.”

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said whether it is Brown or Spence as chief judge, he feels the law will be upheld.

“The judicial system is a fair and honest system with fair and honest people,” Povlsen said. “I don’t know if this change will affect the city of DeKalb in a significant way.”