Thomas Chiola

Thomas R. Chiola (born March 18, 1952) served as a judge of the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County from 1994 to 2009. He was the first openly gay person elected to public office in Illinois.

Early life and education Chiola grew up in Springfield, Illinois. He graduated from Springfield's Griffin High School (now Sacred Heart-Griffin High School) in 1970. Chiola then received a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1977. He served as an administrative law judge. He also served as general counsel of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Judicial service In 1994, Chiola was elected to the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. Chiola was the first openly gay candidate elected to any federal, state, county or municipal office in Illinois.