Pathways to the Court
To learn about the inspiring stories of three judges who sit in the Northern District of Illinois, please follow these links:
District Court Judge Virginia Kendall discusses her journey through loss and challenges on her journey to the federal bench. Judge Kendall talks about the importance of believing in herself, digging deep, and accepting the support of family and friends along the way to becoming a federal judge. Please
click here to watch her story.
Retired Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys discusses how he rose from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the federal bench by educating himself, persevering and working hard. Judge Keys shares his perspectives on his life – from his time in the Marines and law school, to eventually becoming a federal magistrate judge. Judge Keys left the bench on May 30th, 2014. Please
click here to watch his story.
Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez didn’t go right to college. She worked for a year – and kept working – to put herself through college and law school. She doesn’t consider her journey unusual because today’s students face many of the same challenges. Her advice? Keep going even when you don’t know if you can make it. Please
click here to watch her story.
Students sound off on why the Bill of Rights is so important to them.
To learn about this important issue, please
click here to watch the video.
Roles of Court Employees
These are links to videos which discuss various staff positions and their role in the federal judicial system. There are many staff members who may not work within the courtroom, but without them the court could not function. Their important roles are described in the videos below.
Case Administrator (Docket Clerk)
Case administrators are the "face" of the court to much of the public and attorneys who practice in the court. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Human Resources
The U.S. Courts' Human Resources (HR) professionals provide frontline services to the federal court workforce. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Courtroom Deputy
Courtroom Deputies assist judges in processing and managing court proceedings in an orderly fashion, and manage a judge’s caseload. Efficient court operations help create positive public impressions about our federal courts. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Court Interpreters
Language skills are prized in the federal courts. Highly qualified interpreters in court proceedings involving non-English speakers help ensure that justice is carried out fairly for defendants and other stakeholders. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Information Technology Professionals (IT)
The U.S. Courts' Information Technology (IT) professionals support the courts' extensive technology programs. They make it possible for the judiciary to deliver justice in a technology-driven environment. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Jury Administrator
A trial by peers is the basis of our judicial system. The jury administrator ensures that jury selection and management are smooth and efficient processes. Both have an important impact on public perception about jury service. To watch the video about this position, please
click here .
Administrative Services The U.S. District Courts’ Administrative Services professionals are responsible for the effective stewardship of public resources under its control. They produce management plans for monitoring various court operations, including a budget organization plan, budget spending plan, internal controls plan, etc. Administrative Services professionals are also responsible for defining procedures for making financial management decisions and producing timely financial reports. To learn more about this career, please
click here .