By HOI ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A Twin-Cities lawyer made history Thursday when she was sworn in as the first African-American judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes McLean County.
The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carla Barnes last month to replace retiring Circuit Judge Scott Drazewski.
Swearing-in Barnes was one of her mentors and legal trailblazer, retired Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb, who was McLean County’s first female judge.
“I am humbled and privileged to be here, and I want you to know that every day that I enter the courthouse, I am working to exceed all expectations,” said Barnes.
Barnes most recently was McLean County’s public defender and is also a former prosecutor.
“For every litigant, their case is the most important case for them,” said Barnes.
“They’re anxious, nervous, and may even be bitter, but all of them want to feel that their case is important to the judge,” Barnes said.
She went on to say, “I will work hard to really listen to them, and always do my best at applying the law to their set of facts. Win or lose, they’re going to know that I was fair,” she added.
Judge Barnes is a graduate of Illinois State University and John Marshall Law School.
She plans on running for the judge’s position when the current term is up next year.
She’ll start hearing criminal cases in Livingston County, which is also part of the 11th Circuit.
