[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Nancy L. Maldonado

  Mr. DURBIN. It is not every day we get to say this, but this week, we 
have a chance to make history in the ``Land of Lincoln.'' Soon, the 
Senate will vote to confirm Nancy Maldonado as U.S. district court 
judge for the Northern District of Illinois. If confirmed, this 
eminently qualified nominee will be the first Hispanic woman to serve 
as an article III judge in Illinois. It marks yet another proud 
accomplishment in our efforts to build a judiciary that really reflects 
America.
  Born in Skokie, Ms. Maldonado has practiced law for more than two 
decades. She earned her A.B. cum laude from Harvard and her J.D. from 
Columbia Law School. After graduating, she clerked for 2 years with 
Judge Ruben Castillo, who served on the court to which she has now been 
nominated.
  In the years since her clerkship, Ms. Maldonado has dedicated herself 
to defending the rights of working people as a plaintiff-side 
employment law litigator. Throughout her career, she has continually 
answered the call to serve our State.
  In the early 2010s, she worked as special assistant state's attorney 
to Cook County to investigate fraud. In 2018, our State's attorney 
general appointed her to serve as consent decree monitor in two 
employment discrimination cases. Again last year, she was appointed to 
serve as a special assistant attorney general to investigate consumer 
fraud. She was also confirmed by the Illinois State Senate to join the 
State Police Merit Board, a role in which she has worked to ensure that 
members of law enforcement who protect and serve our communities are 
treated fairly.
  With such impressive credentials, it is no wonder that Senator Tammy 
Duckworth and I enthusiastically support Ms. Maldonado and that the 
American Bar Association rated her ``well qualified.''
  Given her extensive experience and long record of service, she will 
be an asset to the Northern District of Illinois. I hope all of my 
colleagues will join me in voting for her confirmation.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.