Hon. William J. Thurston, Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, was elected Chair of the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges for the entire State of Illinois effective January 1, 2026. He succeeds Chief Judge Katherine S. Gorman of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, whose term as Chair expired December 31, 2025.
Judge Thurston, a graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law, was elected Resident Circuit Judge of Pulaski
County in 2002. He served as the Conference’s Vice-Chair from January, 2024 to present and served and as a member of the Conference since December, 2020 - a duly elected Chief Judge from each judicial circuit serves as a member of the Conference.
The Conference of Chief Circuit Judges, established by Illinois Supreme Court Rule, meets monthly to consider issues relating to the administration of Illinois Circuit Courts and such other matters as may from time to time be referred to the Conference by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Chief Judge Thurston becomes the first Chief Judge from the First Judicial Circuit elected as Chair of the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges. The First Circuit is comprised of the nine southern-most counties in Illinois including: Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Williamson, and Union Counties.
Chief Judge William J. Thurston thanks the members of the Conference for their confidence, adding, “I look forward to working with Chief Judges statewide, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.”