BLOOMINGTON (WEEK) – A Twin City attorney makes history by becoming the first African American judge on the 11th Judicial Circuit to serve McLean, Woodford, Logan, Livingston and Ford Counties.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday that McLean County’s attorney Carla Barnes has been appointed to fill the post created by the resignation of Judge Scott Drazewski.
Barnes has been a defense attorney since 2014 and has also worked as a prosecutor in Cook and McLean Counties.
Barnes is a graduate of Illinois State University and holds a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
“Given her diverse backgrounds and courtroom experience, I am confident she will make an excellent member of the judiciary,” said Rita Garman, Supreme Court Justice.
Barnes told 25 News it was “such an honor” to become the first African American woman on the bench, and she looks to retired McLean County Judge Beth Robb, the county’s first female judge, as a mentor.
“She’s my trailblazer,” Barnes said of Robb.
Barnes will be sworn in on February 11th to fill the remainder of Drazewski’s tenure. She is expected to seek election for the post in 2022.
