Thomas R. Chiola

Thomas R. Chiola (born March 18, 1952) served as a judge of the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County from 1994 to 2009. He was the first openly gay person elected to public office in Illinois.^[1]

Thomas R. Chiola
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County from the 8th Subcircuit
In office 1994–2009
Succeeded by	Celia G. Gamrath
Personal details
Born	(1952-03-18) March 18, 1952 (age 73)
Alma mater	Illinois State University (BS) University of Illinois (JD)

Early life and education

Chiola grew up in Springfield, Illinois.^[2] He graduated from Springfield's Griffin High School (now Sacred Heart-Griffin High School) in 1970. Chiola then received a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1977.^[3] He served as an administrative law judge.^[4] He also served as general counsel of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.^[5]

Judicial service

In 1994, Chiola was elected to the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County.^[6][7] Chiola was the first openly gay candidate elected to any federal, state, county or municipal office in Illinois.^[6][7]

Honors

In 1997, Chiola was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.^[8]

See also

• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Illinois
• List of LGBT jurists in the United States