Cook County Circuit Judge John C. Griffin will take over for John B. Simon on the 1st District Appellate Court when Simon retires May 1, the Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday.Griffin, who has served on the Cook County bench since March 2008, will be sworn in the next day, according to the high court order. Simon’s retirement from the appellate court caps off a nearly six-year tenure on the reviewing court.“It is an absolutely terrific appointment, and everyone is excited he’s coming over. We&rsquo …