| Robert Carter | |
| Office: | Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court |
| Term Start: | December 8, 2020 |
| Term End: | December 5, 2022 |
| Predecessor: | Thomas L. Kilbride |
| Successor: | Mary Kay O'Brien |
| Birth Date: | February 26, 1946 |
| Birth Place: | Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Spouse: | Nancy Rink |
| Children: | 2 |
| Education: | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BA, JD) University of Illinois, Springfield (MA) |
| Allegiance: |  United States |
| Serviceyears: | 1969–1970 |
Robert L. Carter (born 1946)[1] is a former justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Carter was sworn in on December 8, 2020,[2] and left office on December 5, 2022. He is the son-in-law of former Judge and Representative Paul E. Rink[3]
Carter was a childhood resident of Grandview, Illinois. His father worked as a coal miner and his mother worked in a munitions factory during World War II.[4] Carter received both his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, and his Master of Arts from Sangamon State University.[5] [6]
From 1969 to 1970, Carter served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.[7]
The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter an associate judge for Illinois's 13th circuit for a term beginning July 2, 1979.[8] He was elected a circuit court judge in 1988 and became the chief judge in 1992.[5]
Carter was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court upon the retirement of Tobias Barry for a term beginning September 1, 2006.[9] He was succeeded as resident circuit judge by then-State's Attorney Joseph P. Hettel.[10]
In the 2020 general election, incumbent Justice Thomas L. Kilbride received approximately 56% of the vote in favor of his retention, which is less than the supermajority of 60% required by state law to be retained.[11] After Kilbride lost retention, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter as a placeholder until the 2022 general election. Carter's term began on December 6, 2020.[12] He left office on December 5, 2022, when his successor was sworn in.[13]