The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the assignment of Judge Margaret J. Mullen, Ret. to the 2nd District Appellate Court. Judge Mullen is being assigned to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Donald C. Hudson on April 11, 2023. The assignment is effective May 11, 2023, and will continue until June 1, 2027, or until further order of the Court. 

The assignment of Judge Mullen gives the 2nd Appellate District Court its first female majority (4-3). 

“As the Supreme Court Justice from the 2nd District, I feel great pride and have absolute confidence in the Court’s assignment,” Justice Rochford said. “Judge Margaret Mullen’s legal intellect, judicial experience, and commitment to service are unmatched. She will prove to be an invaluable asset on our appellate court.” 

Judge Mullen was first appointed to the bench in 1992 as an Associate Judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit. She was appointed by the Supreme Court as a 19th Judicial Circuit Judge in 1997 and won election in 1998. She served as Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit from 2002 to 2004, and served as Presiding Judge of the Law Division, the Juvenile Division, and the Consolidated Family Division. She retired from the circuit court bench in 2017. 

“I thank the members of the Illinois Supreme Court for their faith in me and for this honor. It is a privilege to serve the people of Illinois as an appellate justice,” Judge Mullen said. “I will do my absolute best.” 

Prior to her judicial career, Judge Mullen worked in private practice at Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney and Priess and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for both the Lake County and DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Offices. 

Judge Mullen served as the President of the Illinois Judges Association from June 2019-2020. Her honors include the Salute Award from Lake County CASA, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lake County Juvenile Officers Association for her work as a judge in juvenile court, the Benedict J. Ori Award for Outstanding Service to the Community, and two Presidential Service Awards from the Illinois Judges Association, among others. 

Judge Mullen earned her Bachelor of Arts from Illinois State University and earned her juris doctor from the John Marshall Law School. 

Her professional affiliations include the Lake County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. 

The Second District Appellate Court is located in Elgin and hears cases appealed from trial courts in 5 counties: DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry.