Retirement of Associate Judge R. Randy Wilt Associate Circuit Judge R. Randy Wilt will retire from his position on April 15, 2024. Judge Wilt was appointed as an associate circuit judge on February 28, 2011. Judge Wilt is assigned to a felony criminal docket in Winnebago County. In 2012, Judge Wilt was the first judge selected and assigned to a newly created Winnebago County Domestic Violence Coordinated Court (DVCC) criminal courtroom where he presided over both felony and misdemeanors matters between intimate partner. He was assigned this specialized domestic violence courtroom from 2012 to 2018, and served as the Presiding Judge of the DVCC from December 2018 to January 2022. John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, commented, “Judge Randy Wilt has served the court with impeccable integrity, extraordinary diligence and a keen understanding of criminal law and procedure. We will always be grateful for his dedicated service to the 17th Judicial Circuit.” “Being selected a judge in February of 2011 was a highlight of my legal career,” said Judge Wilt. “I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity. The job was not easy but I hope and truly believe that I helped others.” Judge Wilt is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A. 1977) and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D. 1980). Judge Wilt is actively involved in several court initiatives and committees, including the 17th Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, Domestic Violence Coordinated Courts Core Team, and service as a nationally recognized Domestic Violence Mentor Court. In 2022, he was presented with the Legacy Award from the 17th Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council for his longstanding commitments to justice, victim safety, and offender accountability. PDF of Press Release
