Read more: Local, State, Politics, Judge, Thomas Brownfield, Illinois, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Mason County, Havana
The following news release was sent to the KHQA news department:
Thomas L. Brownfield, Circuit Judge of Mason County, has announced he will not seek retention for a fifth term as Circuit Judge in the 2010 General Election, and will thus retire when his current term ends December 5, 2010.
According to the State Board of Elections, this announcement will create a vacancy in the office which will allow qualified applicants the opportunity to file nominating petitions for placement on the February, 2010 Primary Election Ballot.
Brownfield noted that it had been a distinct honor and privilege to serve as Circuit Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit for the past twenty-three years.
He added, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as a member of the judiciary in the State of Illinois, and still find it extremely rewarding. I sincerely appreciate the dedication, professionalism, collegiality and friendship I have enjoyed over the years from my fellow judges, as well as the clerks, court reporters, probation officers, lawyers, security officers and support staff throughout the Eighth Circuit...this made my decision not to seek retention all that more difficult. However, after a great deal of deliberation, I have decided I want more time for grandchildren and family, and the ability to pursue other opportunities."
He indicated at present he has every intention of remaining actively involved in the legal profession, and will decide over the next thirteen months in what capacity that will be.
Brownfield graduated from Western Illinois University, and the University of Denver College of Law in 1976.
Prior to being elected to the bench in 1986, he served as an assistant and State's Attorney of Mason County.
He was first elected Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in 2001, and is completing his fourth term in that position.
He has served on numerous committees of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Conference of Chief Circuit Judges, and the Illinois Supreme Court over the course of his career, and still currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Drug Court Professionals, a certified mentor and facilitator for the Supreme Court's Judicial Mentoring Program, as well as the Judicial Evaluation Program, and a member of the Judicial Advisory Polls for the Illinois State Bar Association.
Judge Brownfield resides with his wife Terri in rural Havana, Illinois.
They are the parents of four daughters and have six grandchildren.
