Beyond the Bench - August 2026

August 2026

Beyond the Bench is a feature to get to know more about judges and justices in Illinois, beyond their legal duties.

Name: Brad Paisley

Title: Resident Circuit Judge

Circuit or Judicial District: Fourth Circuit (Christian County)

What is one thing you want to do before summer ends?

Attend another concert or St. Louis City soccer match. I am fortunate to still have extremely strong bonds with many of my high school friends, and we attend concerts and sporting events together all summer.

What is your favorite food at a summer barbecue?

I make a mean steak on the grill. It's all about the cut of the meat, seasoning, and tenting the meat after it comes off the grill.

Do you have any unusual daily habits? Is there a habit you're trying to pick up?

I don't know if it's unusual, but I'm very data-driven in my daily life, I track sleep, nutrition, exercise, and focus a lot on sports statistics. I'm trying to improve my exercise habits. Sometimes it's hard to do that with your schedule, but I think it's important. I love to bike, row, and do yoga.

What genre of music do you like? Do you have a favorite band/artist?

I'm a product of the 80s, and I love all the music from that era, but especially hard rock and heavy metal. I have many favorite bands, but if I had to name one, it would probably be Van Halen.

Where is your "happy place?" Why?

Other than home, there are three happy places. The first is Scotland. My wife and I have visited many times, and it really is heaven on earth. Second would be Energizer Park in St. Louis, watching St. Louis City soccer. And finally, the Taylorville High School football field press box, where during football season, you will catch me as the voice of the Taylorville Tornadoes doing the public address announcing.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life or career?

My wife has definitely been the biggest influence in my life. We've been together for 40 years, and she is the one whose judgment I trust the most and the one that keeps me grounded. In my career, it would be retired Judge Ron Spears, my mentor. He is the one who helped make me a judge and continues to inspire me to be a better judge.

Walk us through a typical day for you during the work week.

This is definitely a trick question because anybody who's a judge knows there is no such thing as a typical workday. Whatever we think we have planned usually changes with the needs of the day. Whether it's running my docket, dealing with administrative matters, or my true passion running our treatment court.