Judge Mary Colleen Roberts is a Circuit Court Judge elected in 2006. Currently, she is serving in the Law Division, Commercial Section presiding over complex litigation involving business litigation including employment, breach of contract and construction. She has also presided over cases involving, personal injury, construction accidents, medical malpractice, eminent domain, tax, workers comp and employment claims. Prior to the Law Division, Judge Roberts served in the Domestic Relations Division. Additionally, Judge Roberts presided over a Felony Courtroom in the Criminal Division where she started an evidence based drug treatment court called the Access to Community Treatment Court. Before she came to the Bench, Judge Roberts was an attorney in the public sector working for the City of Chicago’s Law Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Judge Roberts is a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference’s New Judge School. She has participated in developing a remote learning curriculum to educate new judges as they come onto the Bench. She is also a course supervisor, working with the judges who are creating these online courses. Additionally, she is an instructor at the Cook County New Judges School. Judge Roberts also serves as a mentor to new judges.

Judge Roberts currently serves on the Illinois Judicial Conference as a member of the Public Relations Task Force. At the present time she is serving as the First Vice President of the Illinois Judges Association. As a Board member she served as the committee chair of the Wellness Committee. Further, she also has served on the Cook County Chief Judges Judicial Evaluation Committee. Additionally, Judge Roberts is a founding member of the Alliance of Illinois Judges, a LGBTQ+ judges association with membership open to all judges in the State of Illinois. She has served as Director, Secretary. President and Past President throughout the life of the organization.

Judge Roberts is an avid runner having qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon six times. She also is the founder of the Ravenswood Run, a Chicago 5k Run. This run raises funds to support Ravenswood Community Services, a not for profit which provides meals, groceries and basic health services to neighbors in need.

Judge Roberts and her wife, Alison, live in one of Chicago’s Western suburbs. Alison is the Director of Finance at major metropolitan hospital. They have two adult children. Her son is a Senior year of college and her daughter works in health care.