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Federal Judge Roszkowski Remembered As A "Great American"

Nels Akerland
/
U.S. General Services Administration

Funeral services for federal judge Stanley Roszkowski are set for Saturday in Rockford. The man who helped establish a permanent federal court in Rockford died Monday at the age of 91. 

Roszkowksi was nominated for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. He pushed for a federal court in Rockford to serve the people in the northwestern part of the state. In 1984, he became the first full time District Court Judge in the new western division.

The federal courthouse in Rockford is named after Roszkowski, and he was there for the dedication in 2011.

Roszkowski may be best remembered for presiding over the People Who Care lawsuit, where citizens sued the Rockford School District for decades of discrimination against minorities. He also oversaw a number of anti-trust cases, including those against the Chicago Bulls in the early 1980s. He retired in 1998.

Chief Judge of the Northern District of Illinois Ruben Castillo calls Roszkowksi an "outstanding jurist and wonderful colleague," as well as a "true American hero" for flying combat missions over Europe during World War II as part of the Flying Fortress Bomber Squads.

"Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Roszkowski was one of Rockford's premier trial attorneys. We will miss him greatly, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

Senator Dick Durbin called Roszkowksi "a great American who dedicated his life in service to his country."

Visitation: Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Olson Funeral Home in Rockford.

Funeral Services: Saturday morning at 11:00 in Second Congregational Church in Rockford.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.