--- title: "Robert R. Thomas | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-r-thomas-4260" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Robert R. Thomas 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 - Judge, Illinois Supreme Court, 2000-present - Robert Randall Thomas is a former Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for the Second District, serving from December 4, 2000, until his retirement on February 29, 2020 - 2000–2020: Justice, Illinois Supreme Court, 2nd District - He also held the role of Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court from September 6, 2005, to September 5, 2008 - Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 1990-2001 - 1994–2000: Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 2nd District - Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 1982-1997 - 1988–1994: Judge, Circuit Court of DuPage County - Trial Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 1981-1990 - Trial Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 1974-1982 - Justice Thomas’s career spans 32 years in the judiciary and a distinguished athletic legacy, making him one of Illinois’ most notable figures in both sports and law ### Education - Loyola University School of Law in — J.D. (1981) - B.A. in Government from the University of Notre Dame in 1974, where he was an Academic All-American and kicked the winning field goal in the 1973 Sugar Bowl, securing Notre Dame’s national championship. - Loyola University Chicago School of Law ### Additional information - Retired in February 2020 and joined Power Rogers law firm, practicing alongside his son Jonathan. - He has been active in legal and civic life, receiving honors such as the Illinois Judges Association Recognition for Professionalism and Civility (2005), Distinguished Jurist from Loyola University (2006), and induction into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame (2012) - Judge, 1999-1999 - Acting Chief Judge (1989–1994) - Before law school, Thomas had a 12-year NFL career as a placekicker, playing for the Chicago Bears (1975–1982, 1983–1984), Detroit Lions (1982), San Diego Chargers (1985), and New York Giants (1986). - Born August 7, 1952, Rochester, New York. - Date of birth: 1952-08-07 - Super Bowl XXI champion and the 5th leading scorer in Bears’ history - Thomas graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, where he excelled in both football and soccer. - During his tenure, he led initiatives in professionalism, civility, continuing legal education, and transparency, including the creation of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism - Birth place: Rochester ## 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/4260/robert-r-thomas/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4260/robert-r-thomas/) - [Supreme Court of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4260/robert-r-thomas/) - [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/4260/robert-r-thomas/) - [Justice Robert R. Thomas Announces Retirement from Illinois Supreme Court | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/421/Justice-Robert-R-Thomas-Announces-Retirement-from-Illinois-Supreme-Court/news-detail) - [Wikidata: Robert R. Thomas](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q644124) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-r-thomas-4260", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-r-thomas-4260", "name": "Robert R. Thomas | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert R. Thomas, Supreme Court of Illinois. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-r-thomas-4260#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-r-thomas-4260#judge", "name": "Robert R. 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