Once Homeless, Judge John Anderson Gives Back To The Community

In the quiet back hallways of the courthouse, the weight of decisions can often seem abstract and disconnected from the everyday lives of citizens.

But Judge John Anderson, a 13-year judicial veteran who hears some of the most complex civil cases in the court system, works to avoid that mindset by leaving his black robe at work and stepping out into the community.

Anderson, who was once homeless and is now a candidate for Illinois Appellate Court judge, is a believer in giving back.

“Some judges believe they should be invisible in the community,” he said. “I do not agree with that.”

“Community involvement enhances transparency, promotes education about legal rights, and allows judges to better understand the needs and concerns of those they serve,” Anderson said. “That ultimately strengthens the judiciary’s legitimacy.”

Anderson is no stranger to adversity. He has three passions when it comes to community service, starting with food and shelter security.

“My parents lost their home in a foreclosure lawsuit, and I know what that struggle feels like, he said.”

It is not unusual to find Judge Anderson volunteering at a homeless shelter or at a food drive. He also organized a fundraiser for a group of people whose homes were lost in a fire.

Jamie Zimpelmann, one of those rendered homeless from the fire, recorded a powerful and emotional video message for Judge Anderson’s appellate court campaign.

Anderson’s second community interest is education. Judge Anderson was once a poor student and barely graduated from high school.

Today, he has two master’s degrees and two law degrees. He enjoys talking to high school students who are on the verge of dropping out or not graduating.

“My message is not that you can underachieve and become a judge,” he said. “My message is that life is a long race, and they are still on the first lap. It is not too late to turn things around, but they need a new mindset.”

Anderson is married to a teacher and has been endorsed by a series of teachers’ unions, including the American Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Finally, he works for equal access to justice for those who cannot afford a lawyer.

“It seems like everything costs more these days, and lawyers are no exception,” Anderson said. “Increasingly, people are trying to represent themselves in court.”

While Anderson is not permitted to give legal advice, he tries to make sure people understand the basic requirements of what they must do, and he points them to resources that are available to them.

He also advocates for changes in the legal system that would make it easier for self-represented litigants to navigate the courthouse.

Before becoming a judge, Anderson served as a director for the Lawyers Trust Fund. LTF raises money through various sources and then distributes it to organizations that provide free legal aid, such as DuPage Legal Aid, Will County Legal Aid, and Prairie State Legal Services. During his tenure at LTF, Anderson helped raise and donate a staggering roughly $40 million.

Anderson has a record of accolades, including being recognized by the Illinois Bar Association as the only “highly recommended” candidate currently running for appellate court.

He was also named “Judicial Officer of the Year” by the Illinois State Crime Commission.

But he is less interested in those achievements. At a recent appellate court candidate’s forum, Anderson was asked what he wanted his legacy to be.

“If you’re asking what I want to be on my tombstone,” Anderson answered. “I would like it to say, ‘Here lies a good judge. He worked to leave the world a better place than he found it, and he fought for justice.’”

Judge Anderson is running for appellate court judge in the third judicial district, which consists mainly of DuPage and Will Counties.