New clerk at northern Illinois federal court

There’s a new clerk for one of the country’s busiest federal courts.

Tom Bruton becomes the 14th person to assume the post in the nearly 200-year history of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The clerk is responsible for overseeing the administration and operation of the bustling court.

It is the third largest federal district court in the United States and has handled many high-profile cases.

Last year, a jury at the downtown Chicago courthouse convicted impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on multiple corruption counts. It’s also been the site of several terrorism-related trials.

Bruton previously served as the same court’s space and procurement administrator. He replaces the long-serving Michael Dobbins as of Jan. 1. Dobbins recently retired after 14 years as the clerk of court.