Joe Billy McDade facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joe Billy McDade
Joe Billy McDade in 1991
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Incumbent
Assumed office February 28, 2010
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office 1998–2004
Preceded by	Michael M. Mihm
Succeeded by	Michael P. McCuskey
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office November 25, 1991 – February 28, 2010
Appointed by	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Succeeded by	Sara Darrow
Personal details
Born	Joe Billy McDade 1937 (age 87–88) Bellville, Texas
Political party	Republican
Education	Bradley University (BS, MS) University of Michigan (JD)

Joe Billy McDade, born in 1937, is an important federal judge in the United States. He works as a senior district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. His office is in Peoria, Illinois. He was the very first judge appointed to this specific court seat. President George H. W. Bush chose him for this role.

Education and Early Career

Growing Up and Learning

Joe Billy McDade was born in Bellville, Texas. He went to Bradley University and studied economics, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959. He also earned a Master of Science degree in psychology in 1960 from the same university. While at Bradley, he was a talented basketball player. He was part of the All-NIT Basketball Team in both 1957 and 1959. His team even won the NIT Championship. Later, he earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1963.

Starting His Law Career

After law school, McDade worked as a staff attorney. He was part of the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division in Chicago from 1963 to 1965. In 1965, he worked as an executive trainee at a savings and loan association in Peoria, Illinois. From 1965 to 1968, he was the executive director of the Greater Peoria Legal Aid Society. This group helps people who cannot afford legal help. He then worked in private law practice in Peoria from 1968 to 1982. He was a partner in a law firm and later worked on his own.

Becoming a Judge

Serving in Illinois State Courts

In 1982, Joe Billy McDade became an associate circuit judge. He served in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. In 1988, he ran for a higher judge position. He won the election, getting more votes than his opponent. He then served as a circuit judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois until 1991.

Becoming a Federal Judge

On September 11, 1991, President George H. W. Bush nominated McDade. He was chosen to be a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. This was a new judge position created by a law in 1990. The United States Senate approved his nomination on November 21, 1991. He officially became a judge on November 25, 1991.

He served as the chief judge for this court from 1998 to 2004. A chief judge helps manage the court. On February 28, 2010, Judge McDade took on senior status. This means he still works as a judge but with a reduced caseload. He has also been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Personal Life

Joe Billy McDade's first wife, Mary, is also a judge. She has been a justice of the Illinois Appellate Court since December 2000. They have four children together.

See also

• List of African-American federal judges
• List of African-American jurists
• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Illinois