Dennis J. Burke

Judge Burke has the most experience of any judge running for the Full Circuit Judge position. He has served as an Associate Judge for over nine years.

His assignments included Child Protection in Juvenile Court, where he initially presided over 3,000 cases, and after four and a half years, he reduced that number to 900 cases.

While in Child Protection, Michael Sneed wrote a column in the Sun Times and called Judge Burke an “Angel in a Black Robe” after he saved a baby’s life. The baby started to choke and stopped breathing. Judge Burke jumped over his bench and used a technique taught to him by his wife (who is a nurse), which allowed for the baby’s air passage to clear, and the baby started to breathe again. The City Council of Chicago recognized Judge Burke for his “heroic actions.”

Judge Burke is currently sitting in Law Division, Commercial Calendar, hearing complex civil litigation matters.

He has been very active in bar associations, and is a past President of the Illinois Bar Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar.

Before joining the bench, he was a very successful trial attorney, representing both individuals and corporate clients.

Judge Burke is also an educator. He has been requested by the Illinois Supreme Court Education Committee to teach seminars throughout the state. He also teaches trial practice to law students.

Judge Burke has been very busy outside of the law. Among other activities, he served on the Burr Ridge Police Board, and was a member of Fenwick High School’s Board of Trustees.

As you can see, Judge Burke is a very well-rounded individual who is well-qualified for this position. Please punch #78 on February 5, 2008!