The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism would like to recognize former Commissioner and Advisor to the Commission Hon. Michael P. McCuskey for his 15 years of service. McCuskey’s term as Advisor to the Commission ended on March 9, 2020, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court guidelines.
“As one of our first Commissioners, Judge McCuskey has been instrumental in establishing the Commission on Professionalism as a leading advocate for civility, integrity, and inclusion in the legal and judicial professions,” said Martin Sinclair, Chair of the Commission. “In his 15 years with the Commission, he has been both a valuable mentor and a trusted advisor, instilling in others the ideals of professionalism that we aim to promote. We thank him for his service and dedication to the Commission.”
McCuskey was appointed to the Commission on Professionalism at its 2005 inception. He served as a Commissioner from 2005 – 2014 and as an Advisor to the Commission from 2015 – 2020. He was a member of the former Special Supreme Court Committee on Civility, which was organized by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas (Ret.) in 2001 and went on to become the Commission on Professionalism.
McCuskey currently serves as a judge in the Illinois Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. He returned to the bench in 2014, after retiring from the position of federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. McCuskey served as a federal judge for 17 years including eight years as chief judge (2004 – 2012).
McCuskey was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court from the Third Judicial District in 1990. He served as presiding justice from 1994 – 1998, at which point he was appointed to the federal bench.
Earlier in his career, McCuskey was a partner at Pace, McCuskey and Galley, and served as chief public defender of Marshall County before his 1988 election to the Illinois Tenth Judicial Circuit Court.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Judge McCuskey since I joined the Commission in 2006. During this time, his strategic insight and institutional knowledge have been vital to our ability to promote professionalism as a vehicle for positive change while holding tight to our core values as a Commission,” said Jayne Reardon, Executive Director of the Commission. “I am incredibly grateful to him for serving as a model of professionalism in his work with the Commission and in the judiciary.”
McCuskey received his J.D. from Saint Louis University College of Law and a bachelor’s from Illinois State University.
About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
The Illinois Supreme Court established the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism under Supreme Court Rule 799(c) to foster increased civility, professionalism, and inclusiveness among lawyers and judges in Illinois. By advancing the highest standards of conduct among lawyers and judges, the Commission on Professionalism works to better serve clients and society alike. For more information, please visit 2Civility.org and follow us on Twitter @2CivilityOrg.
Press Contact
Laura Bagby, Communications Director
312-363-6209
laura.bagby@2civility.org