Robert F. Harris has been appointed a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 5th Subcircuit by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court. 

Mr. Harris was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Edward Washington.
The appointment takes effect September 21, 2017, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

"I'm deeply honored to be chosen from a field of accomplished and talented people to be selected as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County," Harris said. "I look forward to this new path as a servant to the public and I will work hard to become an exemplary member of the judiciary."

Mr. Harris has spent his entire legal career in the Cook County Public Guardian's Office and has served as the Cook County Public Guardian since 2004. He previously served in the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian as chief deputy, courtroom supervisor, and lead attorney. He has lectured extensively on juvenile justice issues.

Justice Theis recommended Mr. Harris' appointment after candidates were reviewed by bar associations and a special judicial screening committee. Mr. Harris received highly qualified or recommended ratings from a dozen bar groups. The special judicial screening committee was established by Justice Theis in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

Mr. Harris earned his bachelor of science in industrial engineering from the University of Illinois and his juris doctor from the DePaul University College of Law.

He serves as chair of the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Guardian ad litem Education. He also serves on the Chicago Bar Association Board of Managers and the Chicago Bar Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the Cook County Bar Association, the Southland Juvenile Justice Council, and the DePaul University College of Law Schiller DuCanto and Fleck Family Law Center Advisory Board.