The Illinois judiciary has lost one of its most respected and most beloved members with the recent passing of Honorable Brent F. Carlson, supervising judge of the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Judge Carlson, only 52 at the time of his death, was intelligent, conscientious, hardworking and loyal, and the doing of justice was his passion. In addition, one could always count on Judge Carlson to be frank in expressing his opinions, whether he was dealing with subordinates, colleagues, superiors or the public. He was that rare person who was able to be frank without offending because he possessed a most remarkable sense of humor. He was able to communicate the worst news or the most unwelcome criticism in a way that promoted positive action rather than anger or resentment.
I’m sure that is why Chief Judges Harry Comerford and Donald O’Connell and Presiding Judges Ellis Reid and Earl Strayhorn relied so heavily on Judge Carlson to handle the delicate day-to-day administrative activities of the pressure cooker that is the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Brent Carlson will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. By the way, if you have a dear friend whom you respect and admire and with whom you have been thinking of sharing breakfast or lunch, call that friend and make those plans today. Tomorrow could be too late.
