Long time court administrator appointed to Cook County bench

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that it has appointed Cynthia Y. Cobbs to the countywide vacancy on the Cook County Circuit Court created by the retirement of Vacancy of Judge Henry R. Simmons, Jr.

Cobbs was serving as Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts at the time of her appointment. The Supreme Court's announcement today notes that Cobbs "was the first woman and the first African American to serve as Administrative Director and her tenure as Director is the second longest since the position was established in 1960."

Cobbs received her law degree from IIT—Chicago Kent College of Law in 1988. The Supreme Court's announcement today says that Cobbs "holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland and worked for several years in Maryland in a clinical setting helping abused and neglected children. She earned her baccalaureate degree from Morgan State University in 1972." Cobbs started her legal career in 1989 as a law clerk, and later chief law clerk, to Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman. She joined the AOIC in 1997, becoming Chief Legal Counsel for the Administrative Office within two years. Cobbs was initially appointed Director of the AOIC in March 2002. She has served under five Chief Justices.

Cobbs' judicial appointment is effective tomorrow, September 23, and terminates December 3, 2012.

Michael J. Tardy, executive assistant under Ms. Cobbs, will become Acting Director of the Administrative Office, effective immediately.