WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Sunil Harjani as a Federal District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth expressed their satisfaction with Judge Sunil Harjani’s confirmation, highlighting his qualifications and courtroom experience, including serving as a Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2019.
Durbin and Duckworth established a screening committee in August 2023 to evaluate candidates for the Federal District Court Judge position. After consideration, they recommended six candidates, including Judge Harjani, to President Biden for consideration.
Following their recommendation, President Biden nominated Judge Harjani to the vacancy in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division on January 10. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Judge Harjani’s nomination to the full Senate.
Judge Sunil R. Harjani has served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2019. Prior to his current position, he worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, Judge Harjani has practiced federal civil litigation and served as a law clerk for a U.S. District Court Judge.
Born in Joliet, Judge Harjani earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Northwestern University. His appointment fills the vacancy left by Judge Thomas Durkin, who entered semi-retirement in December.
Harjani’s confirmation was met with bipartisan support in the Senate, with all Democratic senators present, along with two senators who caucus with Democrats, voting in favor. Three Republican senators also voted to confirm Judge Harjani.
In a statement following his confirmation, Judge Harjani expressed gratitude to President Biden, Senators Durbin and Duckworth, and affirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and serving the people of Illinois impartially.
