Heidi Ruckman-Agustsson selected to serve as next 17th Judicial Circuit judge

March 25, 2024|By Kevin Haas|In Local, Rockford, Trending
Heidi E. Ruckman-Agustsson has been selected as a new associated judge, filling a vacancy on the bench after the retirement of Judge Randy Wilt. (Photo provided by 17th Judicial Circuit Court)
From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Attorney Heidi E. Ruckman-Agustsson has been selected to serve as an associate judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit after the retirement of Judge Randy Wilt.

Chief Judge John Lowry and Marcia Meis, director of the administrative office of Illinois Courts, announced the selection Monday morning. Wilt retires on April 15 and Ruckman-Agustsson will take her oath of office on April 16.

“Heidi Ruckman-Agustsson is a highly regarded attorney who is well suited for judicial office,” Lowry said in a news release. “Her character, professionalism and legal ability will enhance the 17th Judicial Circuit.”

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Ruckman-Agustsson has been with the Rockford office of Heyl Roster since 2006, and she became a partner with the law firm in 2012. Her legal practice is concentrated on civil defense matters, including trucking defense, toxic tort, premises liability, legal malpractice and workers’ compensation.

She graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University in 1997 and received her juris doctor magna cum laude in 2000 from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

“It is my honor and privilege to be selected by the 17th Judicial Circuit to serve as the next associate judge,” she said in a news release. “I look forward to this exciting opportunity to serve this amazing community.”

She is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and American Bar Association.

She also leads the Chris and Jack Ruckman Memorial Music Scholarship Foundation, which is named in honor of her sons, who were killed by their father in 2018 before he fatally shot himself. Chris was 14 and Jack was 12. Both were talented musicians. The scholarship is intended to help high school seniors access musical instruments, empowering children to follow their passion for music without financial barriers.