Beyond the Bench - December 2025

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

Name: Patricia L. Cornell

Title: Associate Judge

Circuit or Judicial District: 19^th Judicial Circuit

What are you looking forward to this winter?

I am looking forward to lots of snow so that I can use my snowmobile.

Do you have any holiday traditions? We have a few.

We take an annual photo every year and the family wears matching holiday pajamas. I also make sugar cookies and then my grandchildren and niece come over to decorate them - just as I did with my grandmother.

What is your favorite holiday movie and why?

Elf because it's funny and when I see Will Ferrell it reminds me of Judge Ari P. Fisz.

What is the most used app on your phone?

Apple music. I would listen to music all day long if I could.

Looking back on 2025, what is your favorite memory of the year?

An amazing trip to Costa Rica that my husband and I took with our favorite people.

Do you have any New Years resolutions?

Each year I remind myself to be mindful of my own behavior and to be mindful that sometimes other's behaviors might be attributable to something they are going through to which I have no knowledge.