Illinois judges receive recognition and awards | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

Illinois judges are increasingly being recognized for their dedicated work in courtrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the recent honors received by Illinois judges:

• Cook County Circuit Judge Andrea M. Buford, Acting Presiding Judge of the Child Protection Division of Cook County, was honored on July 22, 2025, by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) as the recipient of the Impact of the Year Award at their 88^th Annual Conference in Chicago.

• Former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert L. Carter will be honored on September 20, 2025, by the University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Association as the recipient of the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award at their Homecoming Week Alumni Gala in Springfield.
• Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O’Brien and Cook County Circuit Court Judges Thomas V. Lyons II and Anthanasios (Tom) Sianis will be honored on September 30, 2025, by the Illinois Judges Foundation at their Annual Reception in Chicago. Justice O’Brien and Judge Lyons, who is the Acting Presiding Judge of the Law Division of Cook County, are honorees for the Distinguished Service Award. Judge Sianis, who is the Supervising Judge of the Traffic Division of Cook County, is an honoree for the Presidential Recognition Award.

Have you recently received an award? Please let us know at communications@illinoiscourts.gov