Appointed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to a fourteen year term beginning August 13, 2001.

Bradley University, B.A. 1966; University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 1971.

Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert D. Morgan, U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, 1971-72.; Assistant State's Attorney of Tazewell County, Illinois, 1975-76; Tazewell County State's Attorney, 1976-85; Circuit Judge, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, 1985-2001.

Married to Patricia L. Bass. Children: Colin L. Black, two step-sons; Alan Gentry and Seth Gentry