Heinz Rudolf was elected Circuit Judge in 2018 by the voters of the 20th Judicial Circuit.  Judge Rudolf has served as a judge for nearly 18 years.  He is assigned to the Major Civil docket.  Heinz has presided over (83) jury trials to verdict.

Judge Rudolf obtained a joint degree from St. Louis University Law and Graduate School (J.D. and M.A.P.A.) in 1995.  Heinz earned his Ph. D in Public Policy Analysis and Administration in 2002.  While in the doctoral program, Heinz worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney followed by his work as an Assistant Public Defender.  Prior to his appointment to the bench, Heinz was an associate at the law firm of Becker, Hoerner and Thompson, P.C. where he concentrated in civil defense trial litigation.

Heinz was elected to the St. Clair County Board in 2002 and served until 2006 when he was appointed to the bench.  Heinz served as a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference Committee of Education and continues to teach at the biennial Judicial Education Conferences.

Heinz has been serving on the Children First Foundation Board since 2008.  He completed coursework over several years to become an Advanced Science and Technology Resource A.S.T.A.R Fellow in 2009.  He has presented at seminars hosted by the St. Clair County Bar Association, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, AOIC, IICLE, ITLA, and the ISBA.  Prior to closure of the Belleville Campus, Heinz taught as an Adjunct Professor for Lindenwood University classes in Criminal Law and Procedure.  Heinz mediates other major civil, miscellaneous remedies, family and custody matters when requested by colleagues.

In 2019, Heniz received the Land of Lincoln’s Joseph R. Bartylak Award and an Outreach Award by the Illinois Judges Association for his presentations to students regarding cyberbullying and underage drinking.  Heinz has spoken to over 50 gran and high schools over the course of the past 7 years.  In June of 2023, Heinz was elected to the Illinois Judges Association’s Board of Directors.  In December 2023, Heinz was selected by Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet as one of the recipients of the Illinois Judges Association’s Presidential Service Award.  Currently, he serves as a Co-Chari for the 5th District regarding the IJA’s In-School Committee.  Heinz and his wife have two children.