The Honorable William R. Penn (retired) served as an Associate Circuit Court Judge in Will County from 1983 to 1986. He was elected full Circuit Court Judge in 1986 and served with distinction from that time until his retirement in December 2000.

During his judicial career, Judge Penn was instrumental in implementing gang awareness programs and was cited by the Department of Public Aid for his achievements in the enforcement of child support. For the last five years of his service, he was assigned to the Probate, Chancery and Miscellaneous Remedies court call. As a judge, he was rated “most highly qualified” by an Illinois State Bar Association poll.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Penn was engaged in the general practice of law for thirty years, including an extensive municipal law practice. Judge Penn represented several school districts, cities, villages, townships, and other municipalities in Illinois, as well as nine fire protection districts.