Winnebago County’s top prosecutor has a new job.

State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato (D) defeated Associate Judge Donna Honzel (R) to become circuit judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit.  A spokesperson for Bruscato says he’ll likely resign as State’s Attorney.  The Winnebago County Board Chairman, Frank Haney, will then begin accepting applications for those interested in finishing out Bruscato’s term, which is set to expire in 2020.

Bruscato will take over a position held by the retiring Judge Rosemary Collins.  Her term is also set to expire in 2020, but she’ll leave before that.  Collins was the first woman to become a judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Bruscato first became Winnebago County State’s Attorney in 2008 and re-elected twice.