Robert L. Carter (Illinois judge) explained

Robert Carter
Office:Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
Term Start:December 8, 2020
Term End:December 5, 2022
Predecessor:Thomas L. Kilbride
Successor:Mary Kay O'Brien
Birth Date:February 26, 1946
Birth Place:Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Nancy Rink
Children:2
Education:University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA, JD)
University of Illinois, Springfield (MA)
Allegiance: United States
Serviceyears:1969–1970

Robert L. Carter (born 1946)[1] is a former justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Carter was sworn in on December 8, 2020,[2] and left office on December 5, 2022. He is the son-in-law of former Judge and Representative Paul E. Rink[3]

Early life and education

Carter was a childhood resident of Grandview, Illinois. His father worked as a coal miner and his mother worked in a munitions factory during World War II.[4] Carter received both his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, and his Master of Arts from Sangamon State University.[5] [6]

Military service

From 1969 to 1970, Carter served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.[7]

State court service

Illinois circuit court service

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter an associate judge for Illinois's 13th circuit for a term beginning July 2, 1979.[8] He was elected a circuit court judge in 1988 and became the chief judge in 1992.[5]

Illinois Appellate Court service

Carter was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court upon the retirement of Tobias Barry for a term beginning September 1, 2006.[9] He was succeeded as resident circuit judge by then-State's Attorney Joseph P. Hettel.[10]

Illinois Supreme Court

In the 2020 general election, incumbent Justice Thomas L. Kilbride received approximately 56% of the vote in favor of his retention, which is less than the supermajority of 60% required by state law to be retained.[11] After Kilbride lost retention, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter as a placeholder until the 2022 general election. Carter's term began on December 6, 2020.[12] He left office on December 5, 2022, when his successor was sworn in.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: November 10, 2020 . Illinois Supreme Court Chooses Appellate Court Judge Robert Carter to Replace Justice Thomas Kilbride for Two Years . May 5, 2021 . en-US.
  2. Book: White. Jesse. Illinois Courts. 144. Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020. Springfield, Illinois. Illinois Secretary of State. May 1, 2020.
  3. Web site: Obituaries . Quad-City Times . Paul Rink . 2023-03-23 . The Quad-City Times . en.
  4. News: Spearie. Steven. Grandview municipal building to be named for former Illinois Supreme Court justice. March 13, 2023. The State Journal-Register. March 13, 2023. March 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230313101542/https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/courts/2023/03/13/the-municipal-building-in-grandview-will-be-named-for-robert-carter/69968529007/.
  5. Book: White. Jesse. Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020. Judicial Branch. 153. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016205158/https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/illinois_bluebook/appellate.pdf. October 16, 2020.
  6. Web site: An Interview with Robert L. Carter . Illinois Court History . Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission . 29 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Biography of Robert L. Carter. Supreme Court of Illinois. https://web.archive.org/web/20150520070926/http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/appellatecourt/judges/bio_carter.asp. May 20, 2015.
  8. Gherardini. Caroline. Names: Judiciary. Illinois Issues. 5. 9. 31. November 27, 2020.
  9. Tybor. Joseph. August 9, 2006. Tobias Barry Retires, And Supreme Court Assigns Judge Robert L. Carter to Appellate Bench. Springfield, Illinois. Illinois Supreme Court. . 2020-11-27.
  10. Web site: LaSalle County Board Meeting Minutes. December 4, 2006. November 27, 2020. LaSalle County Board. 216.
  11. News: Nowicki. Jerry. Thomas Kilbride falls short in battle for Supreme Court retention. November 3, 2020. Peoria Journal-Star. November 27, 2020.
  12. News: Mansur. Sarah. Illinois Supreme Court names Democrat to replace Tom Kilbride. November 10, 2020. Pekin Daily Times. November 27, 2020.
  13. Web site: December 2, 2022 . SWEARING-IN OF NEW JUSTICE MARY K. O’BRIEN . December 10, 2022 . Supreme Court of Illinois.