Judge Barbara Dawkins was recently appointed to the position of Associate Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Prior to that appointment, she was an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for almost 23 years. She has worked in the Appeals Division, Juvenile Justice Bureau, the Felony Review Unit, the Felony Trial Division, and the Gang Crimes Unit. Judge Dawkins is dedicated to public service. She served on the Homewood Village Board as a Village Trustee for 12 years, and she was the President Pro Tempore of the Homewood Village Board. Judge Dawkins was also the President of the Rookie A league of Homewood Baseball which is the baseball league for 7- and 8-year-old children, she coaches the mock trial team for Rich Township High School, and she is vice-president of Foundation 153 which provides supplemental educational funding for Homewood Schools. Judge Dawkins is a widow who cares for her 9-year-old son, her 90-year-old father, and her recalcitrant labradoodle named Jamesy.