--- title: "Rita B. Garman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rita-b-garman-4222" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Rita B. Garman Supreme Court of Illinois · Judge ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Illinois - State: Illinois - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Rita B. Garman (1943–present) is a retired American judge who served on the Illinois Supreme Court from 2001 to 2022, including a term as Chief Justice from 2013 to 2016 - As of 2025, Garman is Of Counsel at Webber Thies, working closely with the firm’s litigation and appellate practice - Judge, Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court (1995–2001) - Circuit Judge, Fifth Judicial Circuit (1986–1995) - Associate Judge, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Illinois (1974–1986) ### Education - J.D. — University of Iowa College of Law in 1968. [...] Garman was an assistant state's attorney in Vermilion County "Vermilion County, Illinois (Judicial)") from 1969 to 1973 - a J.D. with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1968 - She obtained a B.S. in economics with highest honors from the University of Illinois in 1965 - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ### Additional information - Retired on July 7, 2022, becoming the longest-serving judge in Illinois history. - Practitioner, 2000-2000 - Before joining the bench, Garman worked at the Vermilion County Legal Aid Society, held the role of assistant state’s attorney in Vermilion County (1969–1973), and practiced law with Sebat, Swanson, Banks, Lessen & Garman - Date of birth: 1943-11-19 - representing the Fourth Judicial District - Oswego High School - Her successor, Lisa Holder White, joined fill her seat - She remains active in civic and philanthropic work, serving on boards such as the Illinois Judges Foundation and Danville Area Community College Foundation - Birth place: Aurora, Illinois ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide 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. Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### official record Scope: statewide The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services. Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court. [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4222/rita-b-garman/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4222/rita-b-garman/) - [Supreme Court of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4222/rita-b-garman/) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4222/rita-b-garman/) - [Justice Rita B. Garman announces retirement from Illinois Supreme Court](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/1087/Justice-Rita-B-Garman-announces-retirement-from-Illinois-Supreme-Court/news-detail) - [Rita Garman](https://ballotpedia.org/Rita_Garman) - [Wikidata: Rita B. Garman](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3433240) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rita-b-garman-4222", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rita-b-garman-4222", "name": "Rita B. Garman | KnowJudges", "description": "Rita B. Garman, Supreme Court of Illinois. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rita-b-garman-4222#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rita-b-garman-4222#judge", "name": "Rita B. 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