SPRINGFIELD - The mother of two slain LeRoy boys wants a formal investigation into the conduct of a McLean County judge. | Photo gallery: Jack and Duncan mourned

But, Amy Leichtenberg's first foray into getting a probe under way hit a snag Wednesday when she was told she filed her request in the wrong location.

The LeRoy woman, whose children were found dead March 29 while on an unsupervised visit with their father, initially submitted her request for an investigation of McLean County Circuit Judge James Souk at the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield.

But, court officials said such paperwork should be filed at the Judicial Inquiry Board, which handles investigations of judges.

"It's inappropriate to begin that process with the Illinois Supreme Court," court spokesman Joseph Tybor said Wednesday afternoon.

Leichtenberg and her friend, Brandi Tuley, caused a stir among court officials Wednesday morning after they spent a few moments before entering the building tying green and blue ribbons to the handrails and light posts outside the courthouse.

The ribbons were meant to serve as reminders of the deceased boys - Duncan, 9, and Jack, 7 - who were found dead in the back seat of their father's car in a remote area of Putnam County. The body of the father, Michael Connolly, 40, of Bloomington, who was supposed to return the boys March 8 after a weekend visit, was found about 60 yards away with a rope around his neck.

Leichtenberg and Tuley were told by a security guard to stop tying the ribbons, which were in the boys' favorite colors. The women later took the ribbons down at the request of court officials.

Leichtenberg has complained that Souk, as a judge in her child custody case, should not have allowed an unsupervised visit between Connolly and the boys because Connolly had a history of mental illness.

In addition to requesting the inquiry into Souk, Tuley also submitted a letter to members of the court calling on them to "look into this horrible tragedy."

"Our point was to make sure everyone in a powerful position has this information," Tuley said afterward.

The Judicial Inquiry Board, which monitors the conduct and behavior of Illinois judges, is an independent agency created to investigate and prosecute allegations of judicial misconduct or incapacity against Illinois state court judges.

The board is composed of four non-lawyers, three lawyers, and two judges who review complaints and determine if an investigation is appropriate and whether further action is warranted.

Elizabeth Robb, the chief judge of the 11th Circuit Court, had no comment on the filing.

"Obviously, it's not appropriate for me to comment on it," Robb said.