As most Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July, the Illinois Judiciary was in the process of losing two legendary justices with a combined 77 years of service on the appellate courts. First District Appellate Court Justice Thomas E. Hoffman passed away on July 4 – he joined that court in 1993. Fifth District Justice Thomas M. Welch passed away on July 7 – he was the longest serving appellate court justice after having joined that court in 1980.
Justice Hoffman was a native of Chicago remembered for his wealth of legal wisdom and devotion to his work, family and colleagues. Before starting his legal career, he was a Chicago Police Officer for five years – a role he was very proud of.
He attended Loyola University Chicago and later earned his law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. He was later awarded the law school’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and served as president of the school’s alumni association.
He served as an assistant corporation counsel for the city of Chicago from 1971-76 before entering private practice, where he was a partner at Kaplan, Sorosky & Hoffman from 1976-84.
Justice Hoffman was appointed as an associate judge of Cook County in 1984 and was elected as a circuit judge in 1988. He was assigned to the First District Appellate Court in 1993 and elected to that seat a year later.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham, who served on the appellate court with Mr. Hoffman from 2006 to 2022, described Justice Hoffman as a “judge’s judge.”
“The sudden passing of a judge as loved as Thomas Hoffman is not just a loss to me, but a loss for everyone who appreciates a high-quality justice system,” Justice Cunningham said. “I feel very privileged to have worked with him, and he absolutely made me a better judge. I will miss him profoundly.”
A native of Collinsville, Justice Welch graduated from Collinsville High School in 1957 and went on to attend the University of Illinois. He was a proud member of Delta Chi and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Administration. Following his time in Champaign-Urbana, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri.
Justice Welch served as a Circuit Court Magistrate from 1965 to 1971, Madison County Assistant State's Attorney from 1971 to 1972, and attorney for the city of Collinsville. He practiced law as a partner with Welch, Welch and Welch from 1971 until his election to the Fifth District Appellate Court.
“Justice Welch served with distinction for 45 years on the Fifth District Appellate Court and was well respected for his work as an attorney and magistrate in the earlier years of his career,” Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet said. “ It was one of the great joys of my professional life to have served on the same court with Justice Welch a few years and I will always remember fondly our many conversations and time spent together both on and off the bench.”
Justice Welch had just as an impressive life off the bench and was known for his passion for cars. He rebuilt a 1925 Ford Model T at the age of 15. Later he would be a founding member of Collinsville's first hot-rod club, The Road Saints, and subsequently, the St. Louis chapter of the Ferrari Club in 1972.
Justice Welch also had a love of flying. When he wasn’t restoring classic cars, he was piloting his Cessna 182 around the Midwest. He was also a trustee of the Tomara Corporation, a private foundation that provides financial support to community groups and other charitable organizations, along with scholarships to local students.
Justice Welch was known for his sense of humor, unmatched work ethic and willingness to help anyone with career or legal advice or whose car was in need of repair.
The Illinois Courts lost two brilliant legal minds and decades of institutional knowledge with the passings of Justice Hoffman and Justice Welch. We also lost two wonderful men who brought joy and laughter to those who knew them.