Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb will retire on Dec. 31. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Retirement is beginning to feel a lot more real for 11th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb now that it's just two weeks away.

"I've been cleaning out my office and finding things that I didn't remember," she said.

Robb announced her retirement earlier this year. It becomes effective Dec. 31. Her peers took time to congratulate her during a reception Friday afternoon at the McLean County Law and Justice Center.

Robb talked about what she has planned after retirement.

"I'm going to decompress, go on vacation and just think about some opportunities that have come my way," said Robb. "Then I'll make a decision."

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) attended the reception. He said judges can be a big help when considering pieces of legislation.

"Judge Robb has always been accessible and helpful to me to help me sort out how something we're considering will play out in the court system," he said.

The 11th Judicial Circuit covers McLean, Woodford, Ford, and Logan counties. Circuit Judge Kevin Fitzgerald has been appointed to take over as chief judge. Associate Judge Casey Costigan will fill the circuit judge seat being vacated by Robb.

Robb has served as a judge for 22 years and spent the last 10 years as chief judge. She said she's grateful for the opportunity to serve so long.

"It's been a wonderful ride and I'm going to miss all the people, but it's time to move on to other things," Robb said.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].