Kirk and Durbin Eye Local Attorneys for Federal Judge Bench

U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin this week recommended to President Obama high-profile attorneys from Oak Park and River Forest for spots on Chicago's federal bench, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

On Tuesday, Kirk, the Illinois Republican, nominated John Tharp, an Oak Parker and former federal prosecutor noted for his prosecution of corruption cases involving ghost payrolling and influence-peddling at the state and county levels. Tharp is currently a partner at Mayer Brown.

Durbin, a Democrat, offered the names of four Chicagoland attorneys, including Julie Bauer, a River Forest resident and partner at Winston & Strawn.

There are three three judicial vacancies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The senators recommend candidates to President Obama, who then nominates federal judges for Senate confirmation.