by Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, IJA President
Fair weather hasn’t distracted Illinois judges from their commitment to advancing the judiciary, promoting the legal profession, and providing assistance to our communities. Thanks to all who shared examples of Illinois judges making a difference. Please keep sending these accomplishments to erochfordatty@sbcglobal.net or to info@ija.com.
I am proud to share that JUDGES ARE . . .
BETTERING HUMANITY
Illinois Supreme Court JUSTICE JOY V. CUNNINGHAM received an appointment as Rector for Government
and Law of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Lincoln Academy presents the Order of Lincoln, the state’s
highest civilian award for public service and professional achievement.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS LEGAL LUMINARIES
The Illinois Bar Foundation and the Illinois Judges Foundation co-hosted a Legal Luminary event honoring JUDGE RUBEN CASTILLO, Ret., JUSTICE LLOYD A. KARMEIER, Ret., JUSTICE M. CAROL POPE, Ret., and others for their extraordinary contributions to the legal profession and community.
RECEIVING RIGHTEOUS RECOGNITION
Illinois Supreme Court JUSTICE DAVID OVERSTREET was honored by the Hellenic Bar Association with the Socrates Dikastes Award.
Cook County Circuit JUDGE WILLIAM J. HADDAD, Ret., was honored by the Arab American Bar Association with its Founder’s Legacy Award.
JUDGE COLLEEN R. DALY received the Northwest Suburban Bar Association’s Public Service Award at its annual Judges’ Night, and JUDGE MOHAMMAD A. AHMAD was presented the Scales of Justice Award.
JUDGE LISA MARINO received the Public Service Leadership Award from the Italian American Political Coalition.
Lake County JUDGE CHUCK JOHNSON, Ret., received the Benedict J. Ori Award, recognizing his work as a former Lake County prosecutor and his contributions to law enforcement, the bar association, and the judiciary.
Illinois Appellate Court JUSTICE DEBRA WALKER received the Carole Bellows Woman of Influence Award from the Illinois State Bar Association.
TRAILBLAZERS
The Northwest Suburban Bar Association acknowledged the many achievements of JUSTICE JESSE REYES with its Trailblazing Jurist Award.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
The North Suburban Bar Association graciously hosted many judges and honored a trio of exceptional jurists at its Annual Judges Night, including JUSTICE CELIA GAMRATH, JUDGE JILL CERONE-MARISI, and JUDGE JACK HAGERTY.
GRACIOUS HOSTS
Cook County CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY C. EVANS welcomed a cohort of leaders from across the country associated with the CORE Justice Network, a program focused on empowering county leaders to identify and eliminate disparities in the local justice system.
NOT QUITTERS
Illinois Supreme Court Justice RITA GARMAN, Ret., was toasted by legal and judicial colleagues from across the state as she officially joins Webber and Thies, P.C. as a partner.
Resolute Systems added retired JUDGE CLARE E. McWILLIAMS to its Chicago team of dispute resolution professionals.
Immediate IJA past president JUDGE MARY COLLEEN ROBERTS, Ret., joined the JAMS panel offering dispute resolution services.
COMMITTED
Hundreds of Illinois attorneys gathered at the Federal Plaza in Chicago to mark Law Day and retake the oaths they swore when joining the Illinois bar. The reaffirmation of commitment to uphold the United States and Illinois Constitutions was administered by JUDGE MARY COLLEEN ROBERTS, Ret.
PROMOTING AND FOSTERING EQUAL TREATMENT
The Alliance of Illinois Judges, formed by and serving in support of LGBTQ+ judges and law students, honored JUSTICE CYNTHIA COBBS with its Honorary Chairperson Award; JUDGE MARY COLLEEN ROBERTS, Ret., with its Sebastian Patti Award; and JUDGE STUART KATZ, Ret., with its Founders Award.
TAKING THE LEAD
JUDGE JILL ROSE QUINN was installed as President of the Alliance of Judges, and her oath was administered by Illinois Supreme Court JUSTICE JOY V. CUNNINGHAM.
CELEBRATING ETHNICITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS
MALDEF, the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization, hosted its 2025 Gala in Chicago and paid tribute to Appellate Court JUSTICE JESSE G. REYES with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Legal Services.
ADVANCING ASSISTANCE TO SRLs
CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY C. EVANS welcomed the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC)’s Court Navigation Network to the Daley Center to learn and collaborate about assisting Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs).
STAYING CURRENT
Many Illinois judges attended the seminar “Truth and Perception in the Digital Age,” including: CHIEF JUDGE ANDREW GLEESON of St. Clair County, CHIEF JUDGE CHRISTOPHER THRELKELD of Madison County, JUDGE FREDRICK BATES, JUDGE CATHERINE SCHNEIDER, JUDGE WILLIAM YU, JUDGE WILLIAM CLAY, and JUDGE HEINZ RUDOLF.
MAKING HISTORY
Three female sitting judges have assumed bar leadership roles for 2025–2026: JUDGE NICHOLE PATTON as President of The Chicago Bar Association; JUDGE BRIDGET DUIGNAN as President of the Illinois Bar Association; and JUSTICE ELIZABETH ROCHFORD as President of the Illinois Judges Association. All three look forward to collaborating and advancing the legal profession.
PARTICIPATING IN LAW DAY
JUDGE BRIDGET DUIGNAN spoke at an annual Law Day event hosted by the Cook County Bar Association.
TEACHING ATTORNEYS
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin hosted an event for new and seasoned attorneys, “How to Secure Better Settlements Before Trial”. The discussion was led by JUDGE PATRICK J. SHERLOCK, and panelists included JUDGES THOMAS V. LYONS and PATRICIA O’BRIEN SHEAHAN.
INSPIRING PROFESSIONALISM
CHIEF JUSTICE MARY JANE THEIS led the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law’s first-year students in the Pledge of Professionalism during the orientation in January. The event was sponsored by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Members of the Illinois legal community including JUSTICE JESSE G. REYES joined thousands of others taking an icy plunge into Lake Michigan, participating in an annual event that raises money for Special Olympics.
ADVANCING WOMEN
Cook County CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY C. EVANS hosted the 26th annual Women Everywhere (WE) judicial reception. WE is a non-profit organization driven by the volunteer efforts of attorneys, judges, bar associations, and others in the Chicago legal community.
SUPER HUMAN
JUDGE HEINZ RUDOLPH is Illinois’ most prolific reader to students in support of IJA’s Paging it Forward initiative and is also the presenter of Worries of the World Wide Web. Schools he has recently visited include: Cahokia School District 187, E. Morris Elementary, LaLumier Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Estelle Sauget School of Choice, and Penniman Elementary. Judge Rudolf graciously presented each principal with a JUDGE MARTOESIAN gavel.
AND LAST, BUT MOST CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE, RESPECT, AND GRATITUDE
Justice Thomas Hoffman and Justice Thomas Welch.