Lloyd A. Karmeier

Lloyd A. Karmeier (born January 12, 1940) is a former American judge who served as a justice of the Illinois Supreme Court from the 5th district. He served as chief justice of that court from 2016 to 2019. Karmeier retired at the conclusion of his second term in December 2020. Early life and education Karmeier was born on January 12, 1940, in Washington County, Illinois. After graduating as valedictorian from Okawville Community High School in 1958, Karmeier received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1962 and a J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1964. Early legal career Karmeier clerked for former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Byron O. House from 1964 to 1968. He was elected State's Attorney for Washington County from 1968 to 1972 as a Republican. He later clerked for former US District Court Judge James L. Foreman from 1972 to 1973. He was engaged in the general practice of law with the firm of Hohlt, House, DeMoss & Johnson from 1964 to 1986. He was resident Circuit Judge of Washington County from 1986 to 2004, when he was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court. Illinois Supreme Court He became the justice for the Fifth District on the Illinois Supreme Court. He was elected as a Republican to that seat in a highly contested election against Democrat Gordon Maag in 2004. He was sworn into office on December 6, 2000.