2005 Year in Review

Judge Tim Slavin Will Retire in 2006

Judge Tim Slavin

Judge Tim Slavin has announced that, effective November 13, 2006, after over twenty-five years on the bench, he will retire as a Circuit Judge.

Judge Slavin was appointed as an Associate Circuit Judge in 1981 by the then sitting circuit judges of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit comprised of the Illinois counties of Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside. After serving in that position for a little over ten years, he was elected in 1992 by the voters of Whiteside County as a Resident Circuit Judge to fill the vacancy of Robert W. Castendyck. Since that election, the citizens of the entire circuit have twice retained him in office.

In a written statement released with his announcement, Judge Slavin remarked, “When I informed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of my intent to retire next year, I told him that it was not without a great deal of melancholy that I did so. My years on the bench have been a fulfilling experience- both for me and my family, and it is my fondest wish that I have left a positive mark for the litigants in the thousands of cases I have handled.”

During his tenure as a judicial officer, Slavin was elected President of the Illinois Judges’ Association (IJA) in 1998. Of this honor, the judge said, “I felt extremely privileged to serve my fellow judges as their leader. I was further humbled this immediate past Friday to be the recipient of the IJA’s Presidential Achievement Award. Over the nearly twenty years of my close involvement with that marvelous organization, I have watched it grow into a mature voice and significant force on the landscape of Illinois government.”

When asked to comment on the present state of the judicial system, Judge Slavin observed, “ It is my fondest wish for the future of the profession to which I have dedicated the vast majority of my working life that all segments of our society be ever mindful of the importance of the independence of the judiciary. In order to maintain our democracy and its attendant freedoms, it is absolutely imperative that our judges be free to render their decisions unfettered by external or internal influences or any other inappropriate pressures - whether it be from political groups, executive branch officials, or legislative reactions.”

Although noting that he has yet almost a year remaining in office, Slavin finished his statement by thanking “... all with whom I have come into contact as a jurist for the opportunity to serve my fellow citizens and our society.”

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 20, 2005