# Jeffery E. Tobin Jeffery E. Tobin (1961–2026) served as an associate circuit judge in Illinois's Seventh Judicial Circuit from his appointment in November 2011 until his death in Jacksonville on August 22, 2026, at age 65. Former Associate Judge · [Illinois Circuit Court, 7](/kyj/court/il/illinois-circuit-court-7) ## Jeffery E. Tobin at a glance Current role Former Associate Judge Court [Illinois Circuit Court, 7](/kyj/court/il/illinois-circuit-court-7) Jurisdiction Illinois · State Judicial service Former ## Published appellate decisions involving Jeffery E. Tobin 's trial-court rulings ## Published appellate decisions involving Jeffery E. Tobin 's trial-court rulings These are individually verified decisions, not a complete appellate record or a statistical sample. ### People v. Watts Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District · 4-25-0533 · officially released April 17, 2026 Relationship: Appeal from Morgan County case 19CF226 presided over by Jeffery E. Tobin. Posture: Illinois Appellate Court affirmed. This entry records the published appellate docket and disposition involving a lower-court matter presided over by Tobin; it does not characterize the merits of the underlying case. Case-specific source · checked August 30, 2026 ## Biography ### Professional career - Associate Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois, serving since 2011, who passed away on August 22, 2026, at age 65 - Associate circuit judge, Illinois Seventh Judicial Circuit, appointed November 2011; handled criminal, civil, and domestic matters for nearly 15 years - Selected as an Associate Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Illinois on October 31, 2011, by the circuit judges, and sworn in on November 14, 2011, replacing retired Judge Tim P. Olson - Private and public practice; partner at Thomson, McNeely & Tobin until 2004 ### Education - Thomas M. Cooley Law School — J.D. (1987) - Illinois College — B.S. (1983) ### Additional information - Reappointed in 2015 for a term expiring June 30, 2019. - Birth year: 1961 - Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission arbitrator for seven years - At the time of his death, he had been on medical leave for an unspecified period - One of seven candidates for the judgeship after Judge Olson’s retirement ## Notable coverage ### [Longtime Judge Jeffery Tobin being remembered for fairness, respect for all](https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/longtime-associate-judge-jeffery-tobin-dies-65-22400958.php) Jacksonville Journal-Courier · August 24, 2026 · local news The Jacksonville Journal-Courier reports on Tobin's death and his nearly 15 years on the local judiciary, including criminal, civil, and domestic matters. ### [Jeffery Tobin Obituary](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/myjournalcourier/name/jeffery-tobin-obituary?id=62255786) Jacksonville Journal-Courier · August 25, 2026 · local news The published obituary records that Tobin, 65, died at home in Jacksonville on August 22, 2026. ## Applicable Court Rules & Procedures Rules last checked July 26, 2026 . ### Recording and broadcasting Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved. ### Official record The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services. ### Remote appearances Circuit court participants may appear remotely without advance approval in covered proceedings; evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the presiding judge's approval, subject to the rule's case-specific safeguards. Illinois circuit courts must implement Rule 45 through published local procedures and accessible remote technology; Rule 45 and controlling case orders determine whether approval is required. ### Extended Media Coverage Illinois circuit courts accept extended-media requests for public proceedings, normally at least seven days in advance, but the presiding judge may deny, limit, or terminate coverage and protected proceedings remain restricted. ## Sources Identity source checked August 30, 2026 . Biography sources checked July 28, 2026 . ### Longtime Judge Jeffery Tobin being remembered for fairness, respect for all Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 30, 2026 ### Jeffery Tobin Obituary Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 30, 2026 ### People v. Watts, 2026 IL App (4th) 250533 Case Specific source · HTML · Source checked August 30, 2026 ### State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 28, 2026 ### Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026 ### Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026 ### Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026 ### Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026 ### Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026 [Public Records & Data Use](/public-records-data-use) · [Corrections policy](/corrections)