Illinois Judges Association

Pro Bono Spotlight - July 2024

In the tradition of the IJA Pro Bono Committee’s effort to spotlight those jurists who have made significant contributions in the delivery of public service, and particularly in the delivery of pro bono services, we pause to recognize the contributions and to pay tribute to the Honorable Judge William B. (“Bill”) Sullivan.

Judge Sullivan was appointed by the Supreme Court of Illinois as a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois in June 2015. He won election to the seat in 2016 and was retained for this position in 2022. A highly respected jurist, Judge Sullivan is currently assigned to judicial service in the Chancery Division, where he presides over mortgage foreclosure cases.

A 1984 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, Judge Sullivan earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Music and History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1989. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1992 where he was the founder and two-time editor-in-chief of the DePaul Journal of Art, Technology, and Intellectual Property Law (formerly known as the DePaul Journal of Art and Entertainment Law).

Prior to joining the bench, Judge Sullivan operated his own law practice, focusing on a broad range of civil matters including real estate, bank and business transactions, estate planning, commercial litigation, personal injury, landlord-tenant disputes, and probate and estate administration. A licensed real estate broker, Judge Sullivan also operated a real estate brokerage firm from 1998 and until his judicial appointment.

In addition to his law practice, Judge Sullivan served on the faculty of DePaul University College of Law as an Adjunct Professor and as a Hearing Officer for the Illinois State Board of Elections. He was twice elected President of the Cicero Township Trustees of Schools, an entity charged with the collection, investment and distribution of tax monies on behalf of Oak Park, Berwyn, and Cicero schools. Judge Sullivan served on the Board of Governors of the West Suburban Bar Association and twice volunteered for the Suburban Bar Coalition Judicial Screening Committee.

A staunch proponent of access to justice, throughout his legal career Judge Sullivan has provided a substantial amount of pro bono legal services, including assisting pro se litigants appearing in small claims matters. He made it a point to work with and represent first-generation citizens, particularly Arab Americans, either on a pro bono or limited fee basis. To address potential language barriers, he enrolled in a course to learn Arabic words and phrases with the goal of enhancing his ability to communicate with the many first-generation Arab Americans he represented. Even now, Judge Sullivan finds use for his Arabic language skills in his work as a circuit court judge in multicultural Cook County.

Judge Sullivan’s commitment to public service extends far beyond the walls of the Cook County Circuit Court courthouse. He is a co-founder and has served as president of the Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association; has volunteered as a coach with the Oak Park Youth Baseball program; is president of the Oak Park Huskies Baseball Club, Inc.; serves as a cantor and lector at St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy Parish; and, is a member of the Board of Directors of L’Arche Chicago, a not-for-profit social services organization, and the Oak Park Township Senior Services Committee.

A passion for the performing arts was kindled in Judge Sullivan as a high schooler attending Oak Park and River Forest High School. A proud alumnus of the school’s theater program, he performed in a number of the school’s Broadway musical productions. While in college, he participated as a member of the Men’s Glee Club, and later in number of other ensembles, including a Barbershop Quartet. Judge Sullivan has also performed in several community and professional theater productions. Currently, off stage, Judge Sullivan serves as president of the Oak Park Area Arts Council. His advice to current students and young professionals: “Take chances and don’t be afraid to pursue your passions. The lessons you learn in the performing arts and other activities can shape your future in ways you might not expect.”

In 2019 Judge Sullivan received a Special Achievement Award from the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, and special recognition from the Lebanese Minister of Justice, for his work on the Lebanese-Cook County Judicial Exchange whereby six judges from Lebanon traveled to Chicago to study the Cook County and American judicial systems.

More recently, in June of 2024 Judge Sullivan was awarded the prestigious Court of Honor Award from Chicago Volunteer Legal Services recognizing his work "For making our courts accessible to people without attorneys. For treating pro bono attorneys and self-represented litigants with respect and honor. For helping to make equal access to justice a working reality in Cook County."

A devoted husband and father, a skilled and compassionate jurist, with a passion for the arts, the IJA Pro Bono Committee proudly salutes Judge William B. (“Bill”) Sullivan for his generous contributions to the bench, the bar and to the community at large and for his commitment to the delivery of pro bono services.

Thank you for your service!