Robert L. Carter (Illinois judge)

Robert Carter
Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
In office
December 8, 2020 – December 5, 2022
Preceded byThomas L. Kilbride
Succeeded byMary Kay O'Brien
Personal details
Born (1946-02-26) February 26, 1946
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNancy Rink
Children2
EducationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA, JD)
University of Illinois, Springfield (MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1969–1970

Robert L. Carter (born February 26, 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]

References

  1. ^ "Illinois Supreme Court Chooses Appellate Court Judge Robert Carter to Replace Justice Thomas Kilbride for Two Years". November 10, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  2. ^ White, Jesse (ed.). "Illinois Courts". Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020 (PDF). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 144. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Obituaries, Quad-City Times. "Paul Rink". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  4. ^ Spearie, Steven (March 13, 2023). "Grandview municipal building to be named for former Illinois Supreme Court justice". The State Journal-Register. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  5. ^ a b White, Jesse (ed.). "Judicial Branch". Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020 (PDF). p. 153. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "An Interview with Robert L. Carter" (PDF). Illinois Court History. Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Biography of Robert L. Carter". Supreme Court of Illinois. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.
  8. ^ Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "Names: Judiciary". Illinois Issues. 5 (9): 31. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Tybor, Joseph (August 9, 2006). "Tobias Barry Retires, And Supreme Court Assigns Judge Robert L. Carter to Appellate Bench" (PDF) (Press release). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Supreme Court. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  10. ^ "LaSalle County Board Meeting Minutes" (PDF). LaSalle County Board. December 4, 2006. p. 216. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. ^ Nowicki, Jerry (November 3, 2020). "Thomas Kilbride falls short in battle for Supreme Court retention". Peoria Journal-Star. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  12. ^ Mansur, Sarah (November 10, 2020). "Illinois Supreme Court names Democrat to replace Tom Kilbride". Pekin Daily Times. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "SWEARING-IN OF NEW JUSTICE MARY K. O'BRIEN" (PDF). Supreme Court of Illinois. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.