Chief Judge Bonnie Wheaton of the Eighteenth Circuit and Chief Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh of the Ninth Circuit received the John C. Shonkwiler/Timothy Evans Awards at the September 18 meeting of the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges. Chief Judge William Thurston, Chair of the Conference, presented the awards. Chief Judge Cavanaugh’s term will end on Oct. 1, 2026, and Chief Judge Wheaton’s term will end on Dec. 7, 2026.
Chief Judge Bonnie Weaton, Eighteenth Circuit
Judge Bonnie M. Wheaton, born in Miami, Florida, attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude. She continued her education by earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan before settling in her husband’s hometown, Wheaton, Illinois. Judge Wheaton's interest in law was piqued when she audited a class at the University of Michigan Law School on the "Legal Problems of the Poor.” She graduated first in her class and magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1978.
After graduating from law school, Judge Wheaton worked in insurance defense and general civil litigation, representing business and individual clients in DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties. Her passion for law included her participation in the DuPage County Bar Association, where she served as Director.
Judge Wheaton was appointed Associate Judge in 1988. She started in traffic court before moving to misdemeanor, arbitration, and finally settling in the chancery division. In 1990, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed her to the Circuit Court bench, and she was elected to that position in 1992. Judge Wheaton served in the chancery division for 32 years before being elected Chief Judge in 2023, making her only the third female Chief Judge to serve in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
A lifelong learner, Judge Wheaton recently earned a certificate in investigative genetic genealogy from Ramapo College of New Jersey and is an active alumna at Northern Illinois University College of Law and a Trustee Emerita at Carleton College.
Chief Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh, Ninth Circuit
Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh has devoted much of his professional career to serving the people of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. His extensive experience in both the legal and judicial fields has provided him with a strong foundation for his service as Chief Judge.
Judge Cavanaugh graduated from Yorkwood High School in Monmouth, Illinois, in 1983. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1986 and earned his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 1990.
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Cavanaugh served as Warren County Public Defender, Warren County State’s Attorney, and Henderson County State’s Attorney. He served as State’s Attorney beginning in 2002, until his appointment as an Associate Judge in 2010. In 2016, he was elected Circuit Judge and has continued to serve in that position.
Judge Cavanaugh's commitment to the Ninth Judicial Circuit extends well beyond the courtroom. He has been a long-time presenter at EdCon and has consistently supported the education and professional development of judges and court personnel. He was instrumental in the establishment of both the Warren County and Henderson County Drug Courts, helping expand the Circuit’s ability to provide treatment-focused alternatives within the judicial system.
During his tenure as Chief Judge, Judge Cavanaugh demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that the courts of all six counties were adequately staffed and able to meet the needs of their communities. Following the appointment of Judge Vancil to the Appellate Court, Judge Cavanaugh successfully sought and obtained a permissive Associate Judgeship from the Illinois Supreme Court to help maintain adequate judicial coverage throughout the six-county Circuit.
Judge Cavanaugh also regularly presided over all six counties of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, demonstrating his willingness to travel and serve wherever his judicial leadership and experience were needed. His hands-on approach and understanding of the unique needs of each county helped strengthen the Circuit as a whole.
Throughout his tenure as Chief Judge, Judge Cavanaugh has been a dedicated advocate for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, its judges, court staff, and the communities it serves. His leadership, commitment to education, and efforts to expand access to specialized court programs and maintain judicial coverage have left a lasting mark on the Circuit.