Robert L. Carter (Illinois judge)
Robert L. Carter (born 1945/1946) is a former justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Carter was sworn in on December 8, 2020, and left office on December 5, 2022. He is the son-in-law of former Judge and Representative Paul E. Rink Early life and education Carter was a childhood resident of Grandview, Illinois. Carter received both his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, and his Master of Arts from Sangamon State University. Military service From 1969 to 1970, Carter served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. State court service Illinois circuit court service The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter an associate judge for Illinois's 13th circuit for a term beginning July 2, 1979. He was elected a circuit court judge in 1988 and became the chief judge in 1992. Illinois Appellate Court service Carter was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court upon the retirement of Tobias Barry for a term beginning September 1, 2006. He was succeeded as resident circuit judge by then-State's Attorney Joseph P. Hettel. Illinois Supreme Court In the 2020 general election, incumbent Justice Thomas L. Kilbride received approximately