© 2024 Peoria Public Radio
A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ottawa Appellate Judge Tapped To Replace Kilbride On State Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court
Robert L. Carter

An appellate court justice from Ottawa will fill Justice Thomas Kilbride's seat on the Illinois Supreme Court after Kilbride lost his retention race last week.
The high court voted unanimously to select judge Robert Carter for  the seat until the next judicial election in 2022--with Kilbride abstaining.

Carter, 74, of Ottawa, has served on the Third District Appellate Court in that community since 2006. He first became a judge in 1979.

Carter said he won't run for a full 10-year term in two years.

Kilbride is the first Supreme Court justice in state history to lose a retention battle. Republicans spent millions on advertising tying him to Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. Kilbride was the only downstate Democrat to serve on the court's 4-3 majority.

Kilbride failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to retain the seat he held since 2000.

There's no subscription fee to listen or read our stories. Everyone can access this essential public service thanks to community support. Donate now, and help fund your public media.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.