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
BornFebruary 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 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.
Legal offices
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois
2020–2022 		Succeeded by