Judge Rene Cruz filed his paperwork Monday, Aug. 16, with the State Board of Elections to establish his campaign committee that will support his candidacy for the 2nd District of the Illinois Supreme Court. Cruz currently serves as a judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit of Illinois as the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Misdemeanor and Traffic Division after having served eight years and presiding over the Family Division. Judge Cruz was first appointed as a judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit which served DeKalb, Kane and Kendall Counties in 2012, and was elected to another term in the 1st Judicial SubCircuit in 2018 after having been unanimously appointed by the Supreme Court of Illinois as a Circuit Judge in 2016.
Judge Cruz was graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with honors in 1992, and the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1995. He opened a successful law practice which formally became the Law Offices of Gil & Cruz. During that time, Judge Cruz was active in the Aurora community through his volunteer involvement in many organizations, including the Greater Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where he served as president.
His desire to serve the community did not end with his private practice. For years, Judge Cruz has attended many neighborhood meetings and community events to educate parents and youth on the dangers of the World Wide Web and bullying. These informative presentations were designed to help keep people safe from victimization. Because of these efforts and volunteerism Judge Cruz was awarded the Kane County Bar Association Community Service Award in 2021 citing him as “a well-rounded individual, who through his actions, has shown a true understanding of and a caring attitude toward the community in which they serve.”
Judge Cruz is passionate about his current role in the judicial system and stated, “I have dedicated my career to serving my community as a judge, attorney, and volunteer. As a Supreme Court Justice, I will work tirelessly to improve the administration of our court system to ensure a fair and equitable application of the law.” Cruz has stated that “while I have enjoyed my role in the 16th Judicial Circuit, I look forward to expanding that role to a statewide commitment”.
The boundaries of the Illinois Supreme Court recently have changed. The new Illinois Supreme Court 2nd District boundaries include DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry Counties. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support that I am receiving,” stated Judge Cruz. More than two dozen local elected officials and leaders already have endorsed his candidacy. Among them are State of Illinois, Kane County, aldermanic and township officials. He has received support from former police chiefs and the retired Kane County sheriff. Retired Chief Judge Judy Brawka commented about Judge Cruz’s time in the family division as, “serving honorably…in one of the most complex and challenging divisions in our court system…developing a reputation for problem-solving, for fairly and faithfully adjudicating his assigned cases, treating litigants and attorneys with respect and actively advancing professionalism both prior to and after becoming a judge. And the same diversity he brings to the bench, along with his unique personality and individual achievements make him a role model throughout this community.” It is Judge Cruz’s desire to apply those same attributes as a Supreme Court Justice in the Second District.
Judge Cruz lives in Aurora with his wife, Silvia, and family. More background information and opportunities to join the campaign are available at JudgeCruzforJustice.com.
For more information contact: JudgeCruzforJustice@gmail.com.
— Judge Cruz for Justice