Darrow first woman to serve as chief judge in Central Illinois federal district

Posted on March 12, 2019
Sara Darrow has served on the federal bench for eight years. (U.S. District Court of Central Illinois)

By Greg Halbleib

PEORIA – A judge from Western Illinois has become the first woman to serve as chief judge for the Central Illinois District of federal court.

Sara Darrow began her new duties on Tuesday. Darrow has been a judge in the Rock Island Division of the Central District since 2011. She was a federal prosecutor in Rock Island for eight years before her appointment to the bench after working in the Henry County State’s Attorney’s office for four years.

The Central District hears cases from 46 counties in Peoria, Urbana, Springfield and Rock Island.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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