Elizabeth M. Rochford (born 1960 or 1961)[1] is an American lawyer from Illinois who has served as a justice of the Illinois Supreme Court since 2022.

Elizabeth Rochford
Rochford in 2023
Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
Assumed office
December 5, 2022
Preceded byMichael J. Burke
Personal details
Born1960 or 1961 (age 63–64)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationLoyola University Chicago (BA, JD)

Education

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Rochford earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.[2]

Career

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From 1984 to 1986, Rochford was a law clerk with Corboy & Demetrio. From 1986 to 1990, she was Cook County assistant state's attorney, from 1990 to 2012, she was a court of claims commissioner for the state of Illinois, concurrently from 2004 to 2012, she was a hearing officer with Skokie, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood, and Glenview. Additionally, from 1990 to 2012, she was in private practice where she focused on estate planning, probate, trusts and trust administration, real estate, administrative law.[1] On December 27, 2012, she was appointed as an associate judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit.[2] Her service on the circuit court terminated when she was sworn in as a justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

Illinois Supreme Court

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In the general election held on November 8, 2022, Rochford faced off against Republican Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.[3] She went on to win against her opponent, securing 54% of the vote, cementing a Democratic majority on the court.[4][5] She was sworn in on December 5, 2022.[6]

Personal life

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Rochford is married to Mike Striedl and they have two adult daughters.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Elizabeth M. Rochford".
  2. ^ a b "Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford". www.ija.org. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  3. ^ Nowicki, Jerry (October 13, 2022). "Supreme Court 2nd District: Longtime Judge Rochford, judicial newcomer Curran vie for open seat". Capitolnewsillinois.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  4. ^ FitzPatrick, Lauren; Hendrickson, Matthew (November 9, 2022). "Democrats hold on to majority on Illinois Supreme Court as Judge Elizabeth Rochford declares victory". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Garcia, John (November 9, 2022). "Democrats Elizabeth Rochford, Mary Kay O'Brien declare victory in Illinois Supreme Court races". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "SWEARING-IN OF NEW JUSTICE ELIZABETH M. ROCHFORD" (PDF). Supreme Court of Illinois. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
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Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
2022–present
Incumbent