Grosboll holds kickoff event for re-election bid as at-large judge in Eighth Judicial Circuit

May 21, 2025 | By Muddy River News

Judge Gabe Grosboll, left, with Adams County Republican chairman Jon McCoy. | Photo courtesy of Gabe Grosboll for Judge campaign

PETERSBURG, Ill. — Approximately 300 people attended a campaign kickoff event for Judge Gabe Grosboll on Friday, May 2, at Wankel’s in Petersburg. All eight of the Republican county chairpersons in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, along with area state senators and representatives, were the hosts of the event.

Grosboll was previously appointed by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White to fill a vacancy as an at-large judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The seat was formerly held by Justice Amy Lannerd, who was elected to the Appellate Court. The circuit is made up of eight counties: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, Menard, Pike and Schuyler. Grosboll is running for election in 2026.

Grosboll previously served as the Menard County State’s Attorney for eight years. He served as general counsel at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and as an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Public Health. Earlier in his career, Grosboll worked in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, prosecuting sexually violent persons, and served as an assistant state’s attorney in Sangamon County.

Born and raised on a farm in Menard County, Grosboll is a graduate of PORTA High School in Petersburg, Illinois State University and the Southern Illinois University School of Law. He and his wife, Rebekah, have two children, Grace and Brahm.

In a press release,Debra Lewis, chair of Grosboll’s campaign committee and the Cass County Republican chair, said, “I’m very proud to support Gabe Grosboll, who has built an impressive legal career. I wanted to help Gabe because of his core values and commitment to justice.”

Kyle Moore, 99th District Representative from Quincy, added, “I’ve gotten to know Judge Grosboll over the last several months and believe him to be a great addition to the Adams County judiciary.”

The eight Republican County Chairpersons in the judicial circuit, along with area state senators and representatives who were the hosts of Grosboll’s event, were: