The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday that former Circuit Judge Stephen C. Mathers has been assigned to the bench in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He is a 32-year veteran of the judiciary.

The assignment, effective November 12, terminates on December 1, 2014, when the position will be filled by the 2014 General Election.

"Retired former Chief Judge Stephen Mathers has offered his services to assist in the Circuit's caseload in light of Judge Edward Danner's retirement," Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said. "We are capitalizing on Judge Mathers' eminent qualifications to serve in the judiciary in the Ninth Circuit until the 2014 Election."

Judge Mathers first served on the bench as an associate judge in 1978. He was elected a Circuit Judge in 1980 and was retained by voters four times. He announced his retirement from the bench in 2010. Judge Mathers served as a Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit from 2006-2009.

"The Ninth Circuit Court is pleased to welcome Judge Mathers back to the bench. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the people of this circuit," Chief Judge James B. Stewart said. "We thank Justice Kilbride for his commitment to the judiciary and his dedication to providing access to justice for all seeking a hearing before the court."

Before his selection as an associate judge, Judge Mathers served as an Assistant State's Attorney for Kane County. He also worked in private practice at the Galesburg law firm of Peel, Henning, Mathers, Bell, and McKee.

Timothy Bertschy, a former president of the Illinois State Bar Association and a partner in the Peoria law firm of Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen, also had words of high praise for Judge Mathers.

"Judge Mathers is a very well respected judge who will do an excellent job in the interim while the new judge is elected in Fulton County," Mr. Bertschy said. "Judge Mathers has the respect of the bar from his many years of service on the bench."

Judge Mathers received his juris doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1974. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern University in 1968. Upon graduation in 1968, Judge Mathers served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a counter-intelligence Special Agent from 1968-1971. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Judge Mathers has served on several Supreme Court Committees, including the Committee on Judicial Conduct; the Committee on Mediation of Child Custody Disputes; and the Committee on Lawyers' Assistance Programs. From 1994-1998, he served on the Board of Admissions to the Bar, an organization of seven members of the bar appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the administration of all aspects of bar admissions in the state. He is also an instructor of criminal law and procedure at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg and has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois College of Law.

"It's always been an honor to serve," Judge Mathers said. "I appreciate Justice Kilbride's and the Supreme Court's confidence in my ability to serve again."

In addition to his membership in the Knox County, Illinois State and American Bar Associations, Judge Mathers served as president of the Illinois Judges Association from 2000-2001 and served on its Board of Directors since 1993. He has also served as a member of the Illinois Judges Foundation since 2007 and served twice as its secretary/treasurer.

The Ninth Judicial Circuit is comprised of Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties.