Hon. Francis M. Martinez is an associate judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois in Winnebago County. He was appointed to the bench by the circuit judges of the 17th Judicial Circuit in 2014.
The 17th Judicial Circuit includes Boone and Winnebago Counties.
Prior to beginning his judicial career, Martinez managed criminal defense and juvenile law matters in his own law firm in Rockford. He opened his office in 1986. Before that, Martinez worked with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office and The Barber-Colman Company.
He received a B.A. in economics from Washington University (1979) and an M.B.A. in finance from DePaul University (1980). Martinez went on to complete a J.D. at Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1983.
He has served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean of Law at Northern Illinois University College of Law.
Martinez received the 17th Judicial Circuit Professionalism and Civility Award from the Winnebago County Bar Association.
He was raised in suburban Chicago and moved to Rockford after graduating from law school.