---
title: "William V. Altenberger | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-v-altenberger"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-04"
---

# William V. Altenberger

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois · Bankruptcy Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Role: Bankruptcy Judge
- Service status: retired
- Last verified: 2026-10-04

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Retired from regular service June 19, 2000; subsequently served as a recalled bankruptcy judge in the Central, Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois and Western District of Wisconsin
- Chief judge service: Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Central District of Illinois, October 1993-June 2000
- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Central District of Illinois, beginning December 23, 1985
- Before his appointment to the bench on December 23, 1985, he was a partner at Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick in Peoria, Illinois.

### Education

- J.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1963
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in — B.S. (1957)

### Additional information

- Official court dockets document hearings in 2024.
- Final retirement from the bench: October 1, 2024.
- After retiring from regular service on June 19, 2000, he continued on recall in several districts.
- Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge from October 1993 through June 2000.
- J.D. there in 1963
- Before his judicial service, he was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960.
- Date of birth: 1935-07-10
- Partner, Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White & Frederick, P.C., Peoria, Illinois; before joining the federal bench.
- Birth place: East St. Louis, IL

## 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

### motion form

Scope: courtwide

Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order.

Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### motion notice timing

Scope: courtwide

Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion.

Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### contested matter notice

Scope: courtwide

In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one.

Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### disputed fact testimony

Scope: courtwide

Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding.

Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### evidentiary hearing notice

Scope: courtwide

Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify.

Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### evidence rules

Scope: courtwide

Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases.

Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### oath or affirmation

Scope: courtwide

A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it.

Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices.

[Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9693/william-j-altenberger/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9693/william-j-altenberger/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10123/william-v-altenberger/)
- [Official court record: William V. Altenberger judicial service](https://www2.cacb.uscourts.gov/annualreport/2011/judges.htm)
- [Official court record: William V. Altenberger judicial service](https://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/sites/ilnb/files/NewsAndAnnouncementsAttachments/BankruptcyJudicialResourcesSurvey.pdf)
- [Official court record: William V. Altenberger judicial service](https://www.ilcb.uscourts.gov/sites/ilcb/files/opinions/Kesler%20Opinion%20and%20Order%20-%20Signed%20%28002%29.pdf)
- [Official court record: William V. Altenberger judicial service](https://www.ilsb.uscourts.gov/sites/ilsb/files/WVA%2008-09-24%20Docket.pdf)
- [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10123/william-v-altenberger/)

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