Retiring Kane judge took time for juveniles, promoted diversity

After 21 years on the bench, Kane County Judge Thomas E. Mueller will retire in late August.

The Aurora City Council last week voted to rename a branch courtroom at the Aurora police station in Mueller's honor, while colleagues lauded his work with juveniles and for promoting diversity.

Mueller, who was first appointed an associate judge in September 1995, said he spent seven rewarding years assigned to the juvenile delinquency division.

He also founded the Kane County Juvenile Drug Court, an offshoot of sorts from the county's adult drug court, an intensive program that is often the last resort before severe prison time.

"I found (juvenile) court to be the court where you can make the biggest difference. I found that to be very rewarding," said Mueller, who became a circuit judge in 2006. "You see them weekly (in drug court) and helping them with their lives and trying to keep them on the right path, that's an opportunity judges don't get too often."

Aurora city leaders cited Mueller's work with juveniles in naming the courtroom at the Aurora police station after him; the judicial wing at the station will be named after Judge Peter Grometer. The changes will be unveiled during a 4 p.m. ceremony Thursday at the station, 1200 E. Indian Trail, Aurora.

"In his time on the bench, Judge Mueller worked extensively with juveniles, leading him to start the Kane County Juvenile Drug Court. He also is a frequent lecturer on juvenile justice and child protection issues," read part of the Aurora City Council's resolution. Mueller was born and raised in Bensenville and moved to Aurora in 1985, where he has lived ever since.

Divya K. Sarang, a former Kane County assistant state's attorney who is now an associate judge in Kane County, said Mueller also embraced diversity and was an avid reader.

"There aren't too many judges who actually want to be assigned to a juvenile courtroom. He wanted to do that work," Sarang recalled. "They were not just cases. They were people. He engaged with each and every kid that came in front of him."

Sarang also noted that Mueller appreciated Aurora's diversity and sent his only child to the city's public schools.

"He loved the racial and cultural diversity." Sarang said. "Diversity has been extremely important to him. He understands today's world."

Mueller said he wants to teach juvenile in the future, perhaps at a college or university. For now, he plans to move to Norfolk, Virginia, to be closer to his grown daughter, who recently married.

"It's been the greatest opportunity in the world. Being on the bench for 21 years, I couldn't have asked for a better career," Mueller said. "I didn't consider it work."