Judge Boie takes Oath of Office for new assignment

Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court on April 17 announced that Union County Circuit Judge Mark M. Boie of the First Judicial Circuit has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the Fifth District.

Judge Boie was assigned to fill the vacancy created by the election of Justice David K. Overstreet to the Fifth District Appellate Court. 

The assignment of Judge Boie took effect on May 1, and will remain in effect until further order of the court.

The Oath of Office for Judge of the Appellate Court of the State of Illinois was administered during a ceremony which was held Wednesday afternoon, May 1, in Union County.

The ceremony was held in Courtroom No. 1 at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro. The courtroom was full for the special event. Judge William Thurston, Pulaski County, Resident Circuit Judge, First Judicial Circuit, presided at the ceremony.

The Oath of Office ceremony was witnessed by Judge Boie’s family, friends, coworkers and colleagues, judges and elected officials.

In making the announcement about Judge Boie’s assignment, Chief Justice Karmeier said that “Judge Boie is an experienced jurist who has served the judicial branch with distinction for nearly 20 years. 

“The high regard in which he is held by both the community at large and the bar are reflected in his continued retention in office and the exemplary judicial advisory poll ratings he received prior to his most recent election.

“The Supreme Court has every confidence that he will carry out his new responsibilities on the appellate court with the same integrity, impartiality and diligence he has demonstrated as a circuit judge.”

Judge Boie was first elected to the bench in 2000 as Resident Circuit Judge in Union County and was retained by voters in 2006, 2012 and 2018. 

Prior to serving on the bench, Boie practiced law at the Law Offices of Wesley L. Boie and Mark M. Boie and served as conflict public defender in Union, Johnson and Pulaski counties.

Judge Boie has been a member of the Special Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Justice and Mental Health Planning since 2010 and since 2015 has served as co-chairperson of the Advisory Committee’s sub-committee for compliance with the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. 

He is also a member of the Advisory Committee’s subcommittee for education and was involved with drafting the new Supreme Court rule on the use of restraints in involuntary commitment proceedings.

“I am extremely humbled and thankful that Chief Justice Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court have placed their confidence in me to serve on assignment as an appellate judge in the Fifth Appellate District,” Judge Boie stated prior to the May 1 ceremony.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Union County and the entire First Judicial Circuit as a circuit judge for the past 18 years. I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career with this wonderful opportunity of service on the appellate court.”

Judge Boie earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi in 1989 and his juris doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1996.

The Fifth Judicial District is composed of 37 counties in the southernmost part of Illinois, including: 

Alexander, Bond, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Shelby, St. Clair, Wabash, Wayne, Washington, White, Williamson and Union.

May 1 Ceremony

Judge William Thurston from Pulaski County presided at the Oath of Office ceremony for Judge Boie.

The Oath of Office was administered by Judge David Overstreet, Presiding Justice, Fifth District Appellate Court.

The words of the Oath of Office were: “I, Mark M. Boie, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of Judge of the Appellate Court for the Fifth District of the State of Illinois, according to the best of my ability.” Members of Judge Boie’s family stood with him for the oath.

Following the administration of the Oath of Office, Judge Boie addressed the many people who had gathered for the special occasion. He admitted that some aspects of his comments would be emotional.

Judge Boie recalled that after he received the call from Chief Justice Karmeier about his new assignment, he was asked by a friend: “Did you ever think you would be in this position?”

“Never, in my wildest dreams,” was his answer to the question.

Judge Boie described himself as “the luckiest person ever, to graduate law school and go to work for the best teacher and mentor that a young lawyer could have” – his father, Wes, who also was an attorney.

Judge Boie said that during the last couple of weeks, “so many people have told me how much my dad would be proud of me. I know today he is watching...and my heart tells me that he is happy and proud today.”

The newly assigned appellate judge said that he was blessed to have his family in attendance at the ceremony – “along with all of you, my friends, and family...I am truly a blessed man.”

Judge Boie voiced his thanks to “Chief Justice Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court for placing their confidence in me for this assignment.”

He reflected on the “great history” that came with the assignment, remembering the service of judges Dorothy Spomer, Bill Lewis, Bob Howerton, Steve Spomer and Randy Moore.

Judge Boie said he looked forward to working with his new colleagues on the Fifth District Appellate Court and voiced his thanks to his staff, noting that “we are a team and I can’t wait to get started.”

He expressed gratitude to the retired judges and the attorneys he has worked with over the years. 

“To my current and retired staff; chief judge staff; court reporters; circuit clerks and staff; state’s attorneys and staff; public defenders; sheriffs, deputies and officers; county commissioners and staff; county officers and staff; probation officers and staff; bailiffs: thank you so much,” he said.

“It has been an honor to serve Union County and the First Judicial Circuit for the past 18 years,” he said.

Judge Boie shared that it was a privilege for him to have “had the privilege” to oversee the building of the county’s new courtroom “and this courtroom that I had the honor to dedicate six years ago.”

“I promise to use all these years of experiences along with common sense, my work ethic, fairness and integrity, as I continue my service to the judiciary of the Fifth District Appellate Court,” he said...

...closing with: “Never in my wildest dreams.”