Judge Elizabeth Robb ’78
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb announced Wednesday that she will retire Dec. 31. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit is based in Bloomington, IL.
“I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to achieve a goal that I have had since I was a junior in high school,” Robb said in a statement on her plans to leave her position after 22 years as a judge. Elizabeth was appointed to the bench in 1993, Robb was the first woman to serve as associate judge, circuit judge and chief judge of the circuit. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit serves McLean, Logan, Woodford, Livingston, and Ford counties. She has also worked in private practice, spending five years as an assistant public defender representing juvenile court clients.
Robb was elected circuit judge in 2000 and retained twice by voters. She has been chief judge for 10 years.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita Garman called Robb “an excellent chief judge and administrator, a leader among the chief judges in Illinois.” Robb “has been on the forefront with innovative programs that have moved the courts forward,” said Garman.
Chief Judge Robb has worked to foster the spirit of cooperation during her tenure. “The concept of collaboration, bringing people around the table to share ideas, the needs of the court system, ways to make things better — that whole spirit of we can do it together,” Elizabeth said of her approach.
The council has been credited with saving over $1 million in tax dollars through changes that have made the criminal justice system more efficient. Sheriff Mike Emery, one of the founding members of the council, said Judge Robb “implemented many positive changes that have increased efficiency and effectiveness in our justice system. She has certainly guided us in a direction that has made us a model county.”
Robb also helped implement the state Supreme Court pilot program for cameras in the courtroom. Media have extended their coverage of proceedings with cameras, video and sound equipment in McLean County courtrooms for more than a year.
A 1978 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Robb said she plans to remain active in the community and may enjoy new opportunities not available during her judicial service. Robb earned her law degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1981. She taught business law at Illinois State University and IWU.
Outside McLean County, Elizabeth has served on the Illinois Judicial Conference. She will leave her current post as chairwoman of the Illinois Conference of Chief Judges in December. Robb is an active member of the of the Illinois Judges Association and the McLean County Bar Association.