Illinois Supreme Court Assigns Hon. Thaddeus L. Wilson to First District Appellate Court
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the assignment of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus L. Wilson to the First District Appellate Court. Justice Wilson was sworn in before an overflow crowd on February 6, 2026. He was assigned to fill the vacancy created by Justice Sanjay T. Tailor's appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Justice Wilson’s career blends judicial excellence, technological innovation, and a deep commitment to public service. He was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2007 and later elected and retained. His judicial experience includes service in the Chancery Division, the Criminal Division—where he served as Supervising Judge—and the First Municipal District, reflecting a breadth of knowledge across complex areas of the law.
Justice Wilson earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, double‑majoring in Management Information Systems and Philosophy, before moving to Chicago to begin his career as a computer programmer and systems analyst. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law, launching a distinguished legal career that included civil rights litigation, criminal defense, bankruptcy, foreclosure, election law, and appellate advocacy.
Before joining the judiciary, Justice Wilson practiced with the Law Office of Brookins & Wilson, represented clients before state and federal courts, served as an arbitrator, and served as a hearing officer for the Chicago Board of Elections.
Justice Wilson has been appointed to numerous statewide committees shaping the future of Illinois courts. An ASTAR Fellow in Advanced Science and Technology, he is known for his mastery of complex scientific and technical issues and for championing modernization across the judiciary. His courtroom has been the setting for several high‑profile cases, including a terrorism trial related to the 2012 NATO Summit, Cook County’s first fully televised gavel‑to‑gavel trial, and a landmark 2025 environmental enforcement case.
A dedicated educator, Justice Wilson has taught Criminal Procedure and Voting Rights & Election Law at the former John Marshall Law School (now UIC School of Law) and has presented nationally on ethics, technology, constitutional law, and digital evidence. As president of the Illinois Judicial Council, he championed judicial excellence, community service, and opportunities for future legal leaders.
As he begins his journey on the Illinois Appellate Court, Justice Wilson continues to serve with vision, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to justice for all. Justice Wilson believes that:
“The law is at its best when it evolves with the world it governs. At every stage, my goal has remained the same: to help build a justice system that is fairer, smarter, more transparent, and better prepared for the world ahead. If you’re working at the intersection of law, technology, judicial education, or court innovation, I’m always open to connecting and collaborating”.
(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: James Brunner, Public Information Officer of the Illinois Supreme Court at 217.208.3354 or jbrunner@illinoiscourts.gov.)