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 a very important judge in the United States. He is a senior United States district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. This means he works in a federal court in Peoria, Illinois. He was the first judge to hold this specific position. President George H. W. Bush chose him for the job.

Early Life and Education

Joe Billy McDade was born in Bellville, Texas. He went to Bradley University and earned two degrees. In 1959, he got a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. The next year, in 1960, he earned a Master of Science degree in psychology.

While at Bradley, Joe Billy McDade was also a talented basketball player. He was part of the All-NIT Basketball Team. This was in 1957 and 1959. His team, the Bradley University team, even won the NIT Championship! After college, he studied law. He earned his law degree (called a Juris Doctor) from the University of Michigan Law School in 1963.

Starting His Legal Career

After finishing law school, Joe Billy McDade began his career. From 1963 to 1965, he worked for the United States Department of Justice. He was a staff attorney in the Antitrust Division in Chicago. This division helps make sure businesses compete fairly.

In 1965, he worked at a savings and loan association in Peoria, Illinois. Later, from 1965 to 1968, he became the executive director of the Greater Peoria Legal Aid Society. This group helps people who can't afford a lawyer.

From 1968 to 1982, he worked as a private lawyer in Peoria. First, he was a partner in a law firm. Then, he worked by himself until he became a judge in 1982.

Becoming a Judge

Joe Billy McDade has served as a judge at both the state and federal levels.

Serving as a State Judge

From 1982 to 1988, he was an associate circuit judge in Illinois. This was for the Tenth Judicial Circuit. In 1988, he ran for a higher judge position in the state. He won the election with many votes. He then served as a circuit judge for the same circuit from 1988 to 1991.

Serving as a Federal Judge

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

He was the chief judge of this court from 1998 to 2004. Being the chief judge means he was in charge of the court's operations. On February 28, 2010, Judge McDade took on "senior status". This means he still works as a judge but with a reduced workload. He has also been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Family Life

Joe Billy McDade is married to Mary. She is also a judge! She has been a justice for 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

Sources

• Joe Billy McDade at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.