BENTON – A well-known Franklin County judge is retiring.

According to the Second Judicial Circuit, Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge Thomas J. Tedeschi is calling it quits after 16 years on the bench.

He was elected as Resident Circuit Judge in Franklin County in 2008. He was retained circuit-wide for the position in 2014 and then again in 2020.

Judge Tedeschi received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Prior to coming to the bench, he was employed as a Probation Officer, Franklin County State’s Attorney Investigator, Police Officer, and Deputy Sheriff in Franklin County.

Judge Tedeschi also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Franklin County, a position he held when he was elected Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge. Judge Tedeschi was elected Chief Judge of the Second Circuit and served in that capacity for eight years from 2014-2021.

The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of the counties of Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.