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Central Illinois Gets First Woman As Chief Federal Judge

Sara Darrow
Courtesy
Sara L. Darrow is the new chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

A former county and federal prosecutor from the Quad Cities is now the first woman to become the chief federal judge for central Illinois.

Sara L. Darrow took over Tuesday for Judge James Shadid, who recently completed his seven-year term as chief judge.

Darrow previously worked in the U.S. attorney's office in Rock Island, handling significant cases involving firearms, drugs, gangs, fraud, money laundering, and corruption. The Obama administration appointed her a district court judge in 2011.

"Judge Darrow is an exceptional judge and a leader among her colleagues," Shadid said in a statement. "She has served this district with distinction as an assistant U.S. attorney and judge. I am confident the district will thrive under her leadership.”

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois serves 46 counties, including McLean. The court hears cases in Peoria, Urbana, Springfield and Rock Island.

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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