Heinz Rudolf was retained as Circuit Judge in November 2024 by the voters of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Judge Rudolf has served as a judge for nearly 19 years. His current assignment is Major Civil. Currently, Heinz has presided over 86 jury trials to verdict.

Heinz obtained a joint degree from Saint Louis University Law and Graduate School (J.D. and M.A.P.A.) in 1995. He later earned his Ph. D in Public Policy Analysis and Administration in 2002. During the doctoral program, Heinz worked as an Assistant State's Attorney followed by his work as an Assistant Public Defender. In years 2001-2006, Heinz worked as an associate at the law firm of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson, P.C. where he concentrated in civil defense trial litigation.

Heinz was elected to the St. Clair County Board in 2002 and served until early 2006 when he was appointed to the bench. Heinz served as a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference Committee on Education and continues to teach at the biennial Judicial Education Conferences.

Heinz has served on the Children First Foundation Board since 2008. While a judge, he completed coursework over a three-year period to become an Advanced Science and Technology Resource A.S.T.A.R. Fellow in 2009. Heinz has presented at seminars hosted by the St. Clair County Bar Association, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, AOIC, IICLE, ITLA, Illinois Defense Council, and the ISBA. For several years prior to closure of the Belleville campus, Heinz taught as an Adjunct Professor for Lindenwood University classes in Criminal Law and Procedure. In addition to his current assignment, Heinz mediates major civil, miscellaneous remedies, family and custody matters when requested by his judicial colleagues.

In 2019, Heinz received the Land of Lincoln’s Joseph R. Bartylak Award and an Outreach Award by the Illinois Judges Association for his presentations to students regarding cyberbullying and underage drinking. Heinz has made over 80 in-school presentations to elementary, junior high and high schools since late 2017. In June of 2023, Heinz was elected to the Illinois Judges Association’s Board of Directors. In December of 2023, Heinz was selected by Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet as one of the recipients of the Illinois Judges Association’s Presidential Service Award. Heinz and his wife have two children.