MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Michael J. Tardy has been named the new director of the administrative office of the Illinois Courts.

Tardy has been employed by the office for nearly 24 years.

Tardy has served in clinical and administrative positions in the Illinois judicial branch for 36 years. He started as a case worker and became district supervisor, managing three offices and a staff of 40 at the circuit court of Cook County Social Service Department.

He joined the administrative office in 1988 as a field supervisor with the probate services division and became associate director of the division in 1995.

Tardy managed the probation staff in the Chicago office and under the direction of the assistant director, coordinated and managed many facets of the division's programs and operations.

In 2002, Tardy was named executive assistant to former director Cynthia Y. Cobbs, where he managed the administrative office for the director. The court named him director when Cobbs resigned and was appointed a circuit court judge.

From 1997-2000, Tardy also served as consultant to the municipal court in Seattle, conducting three studies and projects for the court's presiding judge and trial court administrator.

Tardy earned his bachelor's degree from DePaul University and a master's degree in clinical social work from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

The administrative office conducts the election process for the appointment of associate judges, provides services to the court's committees, develops the judicial branch budget, provides legislative services to the court, provides technology and information services to the supreme and appellate courts and maintains the court's website.