Tom Hunter is a life-long resident of Belleville and East St. Louis, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University in 1988 and attended the Washington University School of Law with a scholarship, graduating in 1998.
Tom has experience in both the private and public sector. Upon graduating from law school, Tom was employed as an associate at a firm where he gained litigation and appellate experience, trying one dozen cases to jury verdict. He also served for over a decade as a clerk to the Hon. Richard P. Goldenhersh, Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
Author of several law review articles and other professional publications, Tom wrote the cover article commemorating “100 Years of the Illinois Bar Journal,” which was archived in ceremonies at both the Chicago History Museum and the Illinois State Library.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Tom served as a patrol officer for the City of Belleville Police Department where he worked both midnight and evening shifts, and proudly volunteered as a representative for many community organizations, including service as the Adopt-A-Cop for Franklin Neighborhood and the first D.A.R.E Officer for the department. As a Police Officer, Tom was recognized with the West Side Optimists’ Award for Distinguished and Dedicated Service.