Will County judge tabbed for Illinois’ 3rd District Appellate Court

Will County Judge Matthew G. Bertani has been assigned to the 3rd District Appellate Court of Illinois, according to a news release from the Illinois Supreme Court.

Bertani, a judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit, is being assigned to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Adrienne Albrecht, according to the release. His assignment is effective Jan. 1 and will conclude Nov. 30, 2026.

The 3rd Appellate District is composed of seven counties: Bureau, DuPage, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, LaSalle and Will.

“Judge Bertani is a proven judge whose familiarity with the complex matters that come before the Will County Circuit Court is unparalleled. His legal acumen, integrity and demeanor are well respected amongst both his peers and the local bar. I have the utmost confidence that Judge Bertani will undoubtedly be an asset to 3rd District Appellate Court and those it serves,” Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O’Brien said in the release.

Bertani was first appointed to the bench in 2010, handling a wide range of cases while serving in the divisions of family law, traffic, civil jury and probate. He was appointed as a judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit, Subcircuit 4, Will County, in January.

Bertani has been involved in programs such as the Lawyers Assistance Panel, Mentor to New Judges and Judicial Performance Evaluator, according to the release.

“I am grateful to Justice Mary K. O’Brien and each of the Supreme Court justices for this appointment,” Bertani said in the release. “I look forward to serving the people of the 3rd District with the same resolve and care as my predecessor and each of the remaining justices.

“I do regret that I will not have the opportunity to serve with Justice Mary McDade, who is retiring at year’s end. I have read most of her decisions and dissents. The court will be diminished by her absence.”

Before joining the bench, Bertani was a principal at the Riazio & Bertani firm in Morris, followed by Sabuco, Beck, Hansen, Schrock & Bertani. He also served as an assistant state’s attorney in Grundy County.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University and earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona College of Law.