Retirement of Associate Judge Mary Linn Green Associate Circuit Judge Mary Linn Green has announced that she will retire from her position on July 5, 2022. Judge Green was appointed as an associate circuit judge on March 6, 2009. Since November 1, 2010, she has presided over juvenile abuse and neglect court in Winnebago County. John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, commented, “Judge Green has served the 17th Circuit with distinction. For over a decade, she has played a central role in protecting the rights of our community’s most vulnerable children and all parties involved in legal proceedings.” Judge Green is a graduate of the College of St. Teresa (B.S.N. 1974), Loyola University (1978 M.S.N. 1978) and Northern Illinois University College of Law (J.D. 1992). She received a Legum Doctoris, honorary Doctoral Degree, from Saint Anthony College of Nursing in 2010, for her professional contributions to the College. Judge Green received an award in 2013 from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, in recognition of outstanding service to the schools for her work in truancy prevention. Judge Green is an organizer of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court’s annual National Adoption Day Celebration and helped to establish the 17th Judicial Circuit Volunteer Therapy Dog Program. She has worked closely with the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) by teaching new volunteers about the court process and presiding over their swearing-in ceremonies. She is a member of the Illinois Judges Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Winnebago County Bar Association. “It has been my honor and privilege to have served the 17th Judicial Circuit, and the citizens of Winnebago and Boone Counties,” said Judge Green. “I have loved this work, as it has allowed me to have a positive influence on the lives and circumstances of the children of our community. I have also been given the privilege of working closely with many committed and talented persons in the Court and Social Services Systems.” During her time on the bench, Judge Green established a special program for all of the children who come into her courtroom. Through generous contributions from local citizens and organizations, especially the Rockford Ice Hogs, the conference room adjacent to her courtroom is filled with hundreds of new and gently used stuffed animals. Each child is encouraged to pick out a stuffed animal to hold during court and then take home. She plans to leave this program in place for her successor in order to continue to bring joy and comfort into the lives of children. PDF of Press Release
