WEATHER ALERT INFORMATION:  For weather related office hours please contact the Clerk's Office at 618-482-9371 (East St. Louis), or 618-439-7760 (Benton).

Office Directory
A phone directory for Benton and East St. Louis.

Locations
Addresses, office hours, maps, and directions to the courthouses in both Benton and East St. Louis.

History of the Court

DATE	EVENT
October 1, 2007	The Honorable David R. Herndon designated as Chief Judge
May 12, 2007	Retirement of the Honorable James L. Foreman as U.S. District Judge
January 4, 2005	Investiture of Honorable Donald G. Wilkerson as U.S. Magistrate Judge.
January 3, 2005	Retirement of Magistrate Judge Gerald B. Cohn as U.S. Magistrate Judge
July 22, 2001	The passing of the Honorable William L. Beatty, U.S. Senior District Judge after a long illness. Born 9/4/25. Nominated by President Carter and received commission on October 5, 1979.
October 23, 2000	Investiture of Honorable Michael J. Reagan as U.S. District Judge.
October 1, 2000	The Honorable G. Patrick Murphy designated as Chief Judge
November 16, 1998	Investiture of Honorable David R. Herndon as U.S. District Judge.
May 4, 1998	Investiture of Honorable G. Patrick Murphy as U.S. District Judge.
May 13, 1997	Norbert G. Jaworski sworn in as Clerk of Court.
November 30, 1996	Honorable William D. Stiehl assumes duties as Senior District Judge.
April 7, 1994	Investiture of Honorable Clifford J. Proud as U.S. Magistrate Judge.
October 1, 1993	Honorable J. Phil Gilbert designated as Chief Judge.
November 19, 1992	Honorable William L. Beatty assumes duties as Senior District Judge.
October 19, 1992	Investiture of Honorable J. Phil Gilbert as U.S. District Judge.
June 25, 1992	U.S. Probation Office and U.S. Attorney's Office move to new office building at 302 West Main Street in Benton.
June 1, 1992	Honorable James L. Foreman assumes duties as Senior District Judge. Honorable William D. Stiehl assumes duties as Chief Judge.
November 13, 1991	Groundbreaking Ceremony, Federal Office Building, 302 West Main Street, Benton, Illinois.
May 21, 1991	Judge William L. Beatty, his staff and Clerk's Office personnel move from the Alton, IL court facility to East St. Louis.
October 26, 1990	Dedication and Open House for the Melvin Price Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.
May 25, 1990	Honorable John Marshall Ferguson sworn in as part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge.
April 3, 1989	Stuart J. O'Hare appointed Clerk of the Court.
1988-1994	Judge Foreman serves on the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Resources.
December 7, 1988	U.S. Senior District Judge William G. Juergens dies in Chester, Illinois.
May 8, 1987	Honorable Philip M. Frazier appointed as U.S. Magistrate Judge.
August 29, 1986	Honorable William D. Stiehl appointed as U.S. District Judge.
March 7, 1986	Groundbreaking and Open House Ceremony for new U.S. Courthouse, East St. Louis, Illinois.
January 3, 1982	Appointment of A. Marvin Helart, Clerk of Court.
May 1, 1981	Honorable Gerald B. Cohn appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge.
October 19, 1979	Honorable William L. Beatty appointed U.S. District Judge.
April 1, 1979	Redistricting is official. The new Southern District of Illinois is created.
March 31, 1979	James L. Foreman designated Chief Judge of the Southern District of Illinois, duty station of East St. Louis, Illinois.
March 22, 1979	Order carrying out the creation of the new Southern and Central districts of Illinois.
March 16, 1979	Honorable Robert W. Scmieder, Belleville, appointed as part-time Magistrate Judge for the new Southern District of Illinois.
November, 1978	Appointment of B. D. Hudgens, Clerk of Court.
October 2, 1978	Federal District Court Organization Act of 1978 signed by President Carter, effective March 31, 1979.
April 5, 1978	Bill introduced by Senator Percy to change judicial districts in the State of Illinois.
March 31, 1978	James L. Foreman designated Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Illinois, duty station of East St. Louis, Illinois.
July 14, 1976	Congress appropriates $5.4 million for East St. Louis Courthouse and Federal Building.
March 7, 1972	Judge James L. Foreman appointed by Richard M. Nixon, enters on duty April 26, 1972.
October 23, 1958	Cornerstone laid at the Benton U.S. Post Office and Court House.
For additional information, please contact the Clerk's Office in East St. Louis at 618-482-9371, or in Benton at 618-439-7760.