William J. Hibbler facts for kids

William J. Hibbler (born August 7, 1946 – died March 19, 2012) was an important judge in the United States. He worked for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which is a big court in Illinois.

William Hibbler's Early Life and Learning

William J. Hibbler was born in Kennedy, Alabama, on August 7, 1946. He loved learning and went to college.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1969. Later, he got his law degree (called a Juris Doctor) from DePaul University College of Law in 1973. This degree allowed him to become a lawyer.

William Hibbler's Legal Career

After law school, Mr. Hibbler worked as an assistant state's attorney for the Cook County State's Attorney Office from 1973 to 1977. This job meant he helped the government bring cases against people who broke the law.

He then worked as a private lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, from 1977 to 1981. He returned to the Cook County State's Attorney Office from 1981 to 1986.

From 1986 to 1999, he served as an associate judge for the Cook County Circuit Court. During this time, he also taught law as a professor at the Chicago–Kent College of Law from 1989 to 1999.

Becoming a Federal Judge

On January 26, 1999, President Bill Clinton chose William Hibbler to be a federal judge. He was nominated for a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This position was open because Judge James Alesia had left.

The United States Senate had to approve his nomination. They confirmed him on April 15, 1999. He officially became a judge on April 22, 1999.

Judge Hibbler served as a federal judge until his death. He passed away on Monday, March 19, 2012, at the age of 65, after an illness.