Honorable Judge Reginald Mathews

Judge Reginald C. Mathews has served as a judge in Lake County, Illinois for nearly four years. Judge Mathews was initially appointed to the Office of Associate Judge by the Circuit Judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in June 2018 and later, appointed to the Office of Circuit Judge by the Supreme Court of Illinois in March 2020. Judge Mathews presides over the domestic violence and protective order cases. In addition, he is the co-chairperson of the community outreach committee for the 19th Judicial Circuit Court and is heavily involved in youth development activities in the community.

Prior to his judicial appointments, Judge Mathews served as an assistant state’s attorney in Lake County for 17 years. The last 6 years of his prosecutorial career, he served as supervisor of the Gangs and Narcotics prosecution division. During his days as a prosecutor, Judge Mathews tried numerous homicide and violent crime jury and bench trials. Prior to his career as a prosecutor, Judge Mathews served Lake County as a probation officer for several years. Judge Mathews earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University and a juris doctorate degree from the Paul M. Herbert Law Center on the campus of Louisiana State University.