Attorney Tim Berkley of Wood River announced Wednesday that he will seek Republican nomination for the circuit court seat being vacated by Judge William Mudge.
“I will bring strong Constitutional principles to the bench,” Berkley stated in his announcement. “I believe in law and order and the Second Amendment. We need a judicial system that builds up a safe community that protects working men and women and gives them the best opportunity raise their families here, just as my family did for me. I hope to earn your vote.”
Mudge announced on March 11 that he would retire at the end of his term in December.
Shortly after Mudge indicated he would step down, Madison County Associate Judge Ryan Jumper announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for the Mudge vacancy.
The primary election will is June 28; the general election is Nov. 8.
Due to the controversial subcircuiting legislation enacted in January, Berkley and Jumper will appear on the ballot only for voters living in the areas of the county comprising Subcircuit 1, which is generally the western portion of the county that also includes an arm into northern portions of Edwardsville and the Fox Creek community.
Berkley, a lifelong resident of Madison County, has more than three decades of experience as an attorney and servant of the community, according to his press announcement.
He attended Lewis and Clark Community College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in government in 1985. He then graduated from University of Tulsa College of Law in 1990. Since then, he has worked as a prosecutor, public defender, private practitioner, and for the appellate court system.
Before becoming an attorney, Berkley was a union contractor at the Wood River Refinery.
“I am honored to run for judge," he stated. "I come from a typical working middle class family of Madison County.
"I’ve lived in the Roxana-Wood River area my entire life and built a legal career I am very proud of. This is a great place to live and raise a family. I love it here. I will take that background to our bench. I will decide cases fairly and impartially, free of political influence and mandates, and will passionately uphold the law. This includes the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois. I’d be honored by your support.”
Berkley began his legal career as an assistant state’s attorney for former Madison County State’s Attorney, the late Bill Haine, in 1990. For the next 30 years he worked as prosecutor, public defender, and as a private attorney in Alton.
After (former Madison County circuit judge) John Barberis was elected to the Fifth District Appellate Court in 2016, Berkley was hired as his senior law clerk. Berkley resigned this position upon announcing his candidacy for circuit judge.
Berkley’s local years in public service have included helping found Madison County’s Alternative Drug Court Program, helping establish the first truancy court program in Madison County, election to the Roxana Board of Education and service as the board’s vice-president, and service as chairman of the Madison County Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Committee.
“My legal career has been an outgrowth of what I learned growing up and living in Roxana, where my family always worked hard," Berkley stated. "My dad, Louis, worked for Shell Oil at the Wood River Refinery as a union pipefitter for 31 years. My mom, Norma, worked 14-hour days six days a week at her local Roxana business - Norma’s Poodle Palace - working until she was 81 years old. I am so proud to be from this area and will take that hard-work ethic into our judiciary. I will be a true working judge.”
Berkley is a patriot life member of the National Rifle Association, a life member of the Illinois State Rifle Association, and a member of the Edwardsville Gun Club.
Berkley and his wife of 36 years, Sherry, are Roxana graduates and reside in Wood River. They have two sons and daughters-in-law and two granddaughters.