James Shadid

James Edward Shadid (born September 27, 1957) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, serving from 2011 to 2025. In April 2025, he was appointed as president of Bradley University.

James Shadid
Shadid in 2014
13th President of Bradley University
Incumbent
Assumed office April 1, 2025
Preceded by	Stephen Standifird
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office September 27, 2024 – April 1, 2025
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office March 12, 2012 – March 12, 2019
Preceded by	Michael P. McCuskey
Succeeded by	Sara Darrow
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office March 10, 2011 – September 27, 2024
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Michael M. Mihm
Succeeded by	Jonathan E. Hawley
Personal details
Born	(1957-09-27) September 27, 1957 (age 67) Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Bradley University (BS) University of Illinois Chicago (JD)

Early life and education

Shadid was born in 1957 in Peoria, Illinois.^[1] His father was George Shadid,^[2] who eventually became sheriff of Peoria County, Illinois, and an Illinois state senator.^[3] Shadid earned a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University in 1979 and his Juris Doctor from University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, then known as the John Marshall Law School, in 1983.^[4][5]

Career

Shadid was in private practice from 1983 to 2001, additionally acting as part-time public defender in Peoria County from 1986 to 2001 and a commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims from 1996 to 2001.^[4] In December 2001, Shadid was appointed to the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois.^[6] He was primarily in felony court, with other work in misdemeanor and civil court.^[5][7]

Federal judicial service

On May 27, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Shadid to replace Judge Michael Mihm on the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.^[4][7] On March 7, 2011, he was confirmed by the Senate by an 89–0 vote.^[8][9] He received his commission on March 10, 2011.^[5] Shadid served as the chief judge of the Central District from March 12, 2012, to March 12, 2019;^[5] he was sworn in by his predecessor Judge Michael P. McCuskey.^[10][11][12] He assumed senior status on September 27, 2024. Shadid retired from active service on April 1, 2025.^[5]

Bradley University

The Bradley University Board of Trustees appointed Shadid the president of the university to replace Stephen Standifird. Shahid assumed the role on April 1, 2025.^[13]