Chief Judge Spence called up to serve on appellate court
By Jenette Sturges jsturges@stmedianetwork.com October 19, 2012 5:40PM
16th Circuit Chief Judge Robert Spence
Updated: November 22, 2012 6:39AM
Starting next month, the 16th Circuit Court’s chief judge, Robert B. Spence, will have a new assignment — serving on the Illinois Appellate Court.
Spence has been assigned to the Second Judicial District in Elgin. He will fill the seat now held by Judge Michael J. Burke, who is being reassigned within the court.
Spence was appointed to the 16th Circuit, which includes Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, in 2001, and then again in 2002, by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas.
Spence won election to the seat in 2004.
He has served as chief judge since 2011. Among his work as chief judge, Spence oversaw the implementation of a pilot program that would allow cameras in certain courtrooms.
Before becoming a judge, Spence served as chief criminal prosecutor in Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan’s office.
