Circuit Judge Stephen Stobbs has been elected unanimously as chief judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, succeeding Chief Judge Bill Mudge, who is retiring Dec. 4.
“Judge Stobbs is a respected and experienced jurist and I leave the Third Judicial Circuit in good hands with him at the helm,” Mudge said of Stobbs.
Stobbs will be sworn in to the two-year "chief" term on Dec. 5.
He has served as presiding judge over the county’s asbestos docket - the largest in the country - for nine years, and will continue to preside over asbestos in addition to his duties as chief judge.
“I am honored to be selected by my colleagues to serve as Chief Judge," Stobbs said. "I look forward to working with my fellow judges and the wonderful employees at the Courthouse to serve the people of the Third Judicial Circuit."
Stobbs was elected circuit judge as a Republican in 2020 after first serving as an associate judge for 14 years. Prior to his judicial career, Stobbs served as a member of the Madison County Board representing Godfrey.
He has presided over every type of case, including traffic, criminal, probate, chancery, civil, and family, where he served as presiding judge.
He was first licensed to practice law in 1994 following his graduation from the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich. and previously from Saint Louis University, where he completed his undergraduate degree with honors.
From 1994 until his appointment as an associate judge in 2006, Stobbs practiced law with his father, the late John Dale Stobbs, at Stobbs & Sinclair, Ltd. in Alton.
He is married to wife Katie for 27 years, and they are parents to Madeleine, 23, Grace, 21, Caroline, 19 and Stephen, 15. .