About Judge Pratt

Chris is a lifelong resident of Quincy, a devoted family man, and a respected legal professional with more than 15 years of legal experience serving the people of Adams County.

Chris is one of six children. His father, Michael Pratt, worked for Harris Corporation (now Gates Air) until his retirement in 2003. His mother, Donna, was originally a stay-at-home mother but as the family grew, they began to struggle and she started working outside the home. She worked in bookkeeping, eventually settling in at Gully Transportation until her retirement in 2009. Mike and Donna are devout Catholics, have been parishioners at the Church of Saint Peter since 1971, and raised all their children in a conservative Catholic home.

Chris spent his entire childhood in Quincy. He and his siblings attended Saint Peter School and Quincy Notre Dame. Chris earned his associate’s degree from John Wood Community College and then then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois–Springfield and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign. His path reflects a dedication to hard work, learning, and public service.

However, that path wasn't always a straight line. Chris and his wife Crystal met while still in high school and welcomed their oldest daughter, Vanessa, before they graduated. Both enrolled in college after graduation but struggled as a young family. They married in August 1998 and welcomed a second daughter, Jillian, in 1999. 

Shortly after, Crystal began experiencing serious health issues that continue to this day. Chris suspended his studies and devoted himself to full time work at Elder's Family Restaurant to support his family. Years later, he returned to school to finish his degree. While attending the University of Illinois Springfield Chris completed a lengthy internship at the Adams County State's Attorney's Office. 

Throughout his career, Chris has served the community with trusted leadership and deep legal experience. 

He was appointed to the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois as an At-Large Circuit Judge in June 2024 after serving as Chief Public Defender for Adams County earlier that same year. Before that, he was Deputy Chief Public Defender from 2020 to 2024, Assistant Public Defender from 2016 to 2020, and an attorney with Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP from 2009 to 2016. His legal career began in complex business and healthcare law before transitioning to the criminal justice system, where he defended the rights of Adams County residents. Having worked on both sides of the courtroom, Chris brings a balanced perspective and a strong foundation in fairness, justice, and the rule of law.

In addition to his work in the courtroom, Chris has served as an educator and community leader. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Quincy University and Rutgers University School of Law, coached the Quincy University Mock Trial Team, and served as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois College of Law. His community service includes past leadership as president of both the Quincy Public Library Board of Trustees and the Quincy Museum Board of Directors. Through these roles, Chris has demonstrated his commitment to education, mentorship, and building a stronger community for future generations.

Chris doesn't just bring his community involvement and legal education and experience to the bench, he brings his life experiences. He brings the experience of someone whose family struggled as a child and who struggled as an adult with his own young family. He has the experience of working in the community with nearly 2 decades of work in restaurants—meeting, knowing, and serving the community members he still serves today. Chris has the life experience of someone who worked his way through school while balancing the responsibilities of his family.  

As judge, Chris brings honesty, humility, and integrity to the bench. He is committed to equal justice for all, respect for the law, and genuine care for the people of the Eighth Judicial Circuit. His leadership has earned the trust and endorsements of respected lawyers and retired judges throughout the legal community.

When he is not serving in the courtroom or the community, Chris enjoys family game nights, traveling with his wife, and above all, spending time as “Grandpa” to his first grandchild, Theodore—his greatest joy.