DeKalb County Judge Bradley Waller named chief 23rd circuit judge

SYCAMORE – A DeKalb County judge has been appointed the new Illinois 23rd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge, according to court officials Wednesday.

Judges of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which includes DeKalb and Kendall counties, announced Wednesday they unanimously selected DeKalb County Judge Bradley Waller to serve as the next chief circuit judge. His tenure begins Dec. 6.

“Judge Waller is an excellent selection,” current Chief Judge Robert Pilmer said in the Wednesday statement. “He has the experience and skills to be successful as chief judge and he has the strong support of all of his colleagues.”

Waller said in the statement he was “extremely thankful” for his fellow circuit judges’ support.

“I look forward to working with all of the judges in our circuit over the next three years,” Waller said in the statement.

The chief judge of a judicial circuit is a position created under the state constitution, according to the Wednesday statement from the courts. Duties of the chief judge include case assignment.

“In the 23rd Circuit, the chief judge serves for a single three-year term and the office alternates between the two counties,” according to the statement.

Waller, a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the NIU College of Law, was first appointed as associate judge in January 2013 and appointed as a circuit judge in July 2014 by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before becoming a judge, Waller practiced law in DeKalb County, per the statement.

Waller and his wife currently live in DeKalb.