This past summer, the Illinois Supreme Court took affirmative steps in its mission to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive leadership within the Illinois bar and judiciary. For the first time in Kane County’s history, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously appointed Bianca Camargo, the first Mexican American woman to fill a circuit judge vacancy. I had the tremendous honor of interviewing Circuit Judge Bianca Camargo to discuss her appointment to the bench and was inspired not only by her story about family, struggles, and accomplishments, but also by her steadfast commitment to the community she serves and the passion and humility she brings to the bench.

Judge Camargo is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, who like so many others, came to this country determined to forge a better life for themselves and their children. Although her parents did not possess college degrees, they possessed an insatiable and unwavering belief that hard work and determination would open doors for themselves and present opportunities for their children that they never even dreamed of having. Growing up, Judge Camargo shared that she recalls her father hurrying home after a long day’s work at the factory only to exchange his lunch bag for a bookbag and race off to night school where he studied meticulously in pursuit of a highly sought out union apprenticeship program. Judge Camargo’s mother was similarly determined to provide for her family. She worked two jobs up to two years prior to her passing to supplement the family’s income to help pay for things such as the mortgage or Judge Camargo’s soccer gear at West Aurora High School.

As Judge Camargo reflected on her childhood, she shared that she witnessed firsthand the value of her parents’ ambition and acknowledged that many of the opportunities she was afforded were a result of their sacrifice. Their commitment to realizing their dream of a better life had a profound impact on her outlook in life. It has served as an endless source of motivation and gratitude and helped instill the skills she needed to persevere. As an example, Judge Camargo shared that those skills came in handy when it came time to apply for college and law school. She admitted that being a first-generation college and law student was difficult for her. It meant not knowing the ropes of navigating the institution of higher education. It meant having to independently decipher the application process, educating herself on financial aid, and learning about scholarships. Nevertheless, grounded in the firm belief that hard work and dedication can overcome hardship, she successfully earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University, went on to earn a juris doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2010 and is now a sitting circuit judge.

Judge Camargo modestly laughed at my enthusiasm for her accomplishment and reiterated how incredibly blessed and humbled she felt in her position as circuit judge. She insists that she would not have weathered the nerve-wracking application process to become a circuit judge without the support of her family, her husband, and her son. Just as her parents did for her, Judge Camargo strives to instill in her son that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and stay committed. Her appointment is indeed an accomplishment that I’m sure her son will come to appreciate as he grows older. Judge Camargo candidly shared, “I almost fell out of my seat when I learned that the Illinois Supreme Court had unanimously selected me among the other applicants to be Kane County’s next circuit judge.”

However, for those who know Judge Camargo, ascension to the bench seems like the most natural and logical progression in her career and continued service to her community. Her career, like her personal values, have always been centered around helping members of her community long before ever taking her seat on the bench. Before going to law school, she served as a victim advocate at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. In this role, she helped victims of violent crimes navigate the criminal justice system by explaining the court process to them. After graduating from law school, she was eager to return to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office but this time instead of just explaining the legal process, she wanted to play an active role in it. She sought out and secured a position as an Assistant State’s Attorney, prosecuting cases on behalf of the victims of violent crimes and the citizens of Kane County. In that position, she brought over 100 cases to verdict which included victim sensitive cases involving domestic battery, sexual assault, and crimes against children.

Judge Camargo unequivocally stated that doing her part to help make her community a safer place as a Kane County prosecutor was truly the most fulfilling position she has ever served. Now, in her role as a circuit judge, she reiterates that the bench is a natural extension of her desire to help the members of her community. She appreciates that she is in a unique position to help restore faith in the justice system and to help promote access to justice. She thoughtfully and humbly weighed in on the enormous responsibility she feels toward the community she serves as the first Latina appointed as a circuit judge but felt confident that her background made her uniquely positioned to offer a diverse perspective on the bench.

Recognizing that her experiences and her path to a judgeship are unique and diverse from that of her predecessors, she went on to explain, “The bench in a county should always represent the community it serves. It is important for our communities to see faces like theirs staring back at them when they enter a courtroom.” She acknowledged and accepted that the excitement over her appointment as the first Latina circuit judge is not about her. Instead, she suggested that the importance of her historic appointment stands for the notion that we are moving one step closer toward promoting equality and diversity within the legal community. It stands as a symbol of empowerment to women who struggle to find a seat at the table. It stands for the statement that diversity matters in the legal field where there are few attorneys of color and even fewer judges of color. Indeed, her appointment resonates with hope and optimism not only for the Kane County community she currently serves but for the entire legal community as whole, as we make strides to promote diversity and equality within the legal field and beyond.

Gladys Proa Santana is trial lawyer at Meyers & Flowers, LLC in St. Charles, Illinois. She focuses her practice on representing countless families whose lives have been tragically changed because of catastrophic injuries from workplace injuries and automobile accidents, and from defective products. She can be reached at 630-232-6333 or gps@meyers-flowers.com.