Announcement, Press Release |
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has appointed the Hon. Andrea M. Buford to serve as Acting Presiding Judge of the Child Protection Division.
Judge Buford replaces Presiding Judge Robert Balanoff, who retired on Thursday, January 30th.
“Judge Buford has a great deal of experience in this highly sensitive and vital division of the Cook County Circuit Court,” said Judge Evans. “She is known for her compassion, knowledge and hard work, and I am sure she will do an excellent job in her new position.”
A lifelong Chicago resident, Judge Buford was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in April 2013. She subsequently ran to retain her seat and won in the 2014 and 2020 elections. She has been found recommended or highly recommended by all of the bar associations.
Judge Buford is currently assigned to the Child Protection Division, where she presides over cases involving child abuse and neglect allegations.
Judge Buford also served as the Chair of the Special Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Courts and is currently on the Supreme Court Committee on Equality, the Supreme Court Committee on Professional Responsibility and the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College, Committee on Guardians Ad Litem. She was recently invited to join the judicial subcommittee on the implementation of The Safe Model, a collaboration between the Department of Children and Family Services and the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, to change the trajectory of cases and allow children to be returned home sooner with supportive services in place.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Buford focused her practice primarily on civil defense litigation, representing corporations and municipalities. She has served as president of the Cook County Bar Association, president of the Cook County Bar Association Foundation, President of the Illinois Judicial Council and Economic Development Chair for the NAACP. The recipient of numerous awards, Judge Buford was named one of the most influential Chicagoans by N’DIGO magazine. She served as a Commissioner on the Illinois Court of Claims, a Hearing Officer for the State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education. She was appointed Federal Foreclosure Commissioner, a Special Assistant Attorney General and a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel.
Judge Buford received her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and her law degree at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Judge Buford said she is grateful to Judge Evans for the new appointment.
“I am honored that he has entrusted me with this most important assignment,” said Judge Buford. “Our Division is in a position to help our most vulnerable children and families. We have a chance to influence their future choices. I’m also inheriting a division of extremely competent and compassionate judges who understand the gravity of our position.”
Judge Balanoff has served as a circuit judge since 2004, and has led the Child Protection Division since December of 2020.
“We will miss Judge Balanoff’s tremendous experience as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. He has been a wonderful colleague and friend. I wish him all the best in his next chapter,” said Judge Evans.
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