HAVANA, Ill. -- Mason County Judge Thomas Brownfield, who serves as the 8th Judicial Circuit's chief judge, announced Wednesday he will retire when his term ends in December 2010.

Brownfield has been a judge for 23 years in the 8th Circuit, which includes Adams and Pike counties. He is the second 8th Circuit judge to announce his retirement in the past 10 days, as Adams County Judge Mark Schuering announced Oct. 26 he will not seek re-election.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as a member of the judiciary in the state of Illinois, and still find it extremely rewarding," Brownfield said in a press release. "I sincerely appreciate the dedication, professionalism, collegiality and friendship I have enjoyed over the years from my fellow judges, as well as the clerks, court reporters, probation officers, lawyers, security officers and support staff throughout the Eighth Circuit ... this made my decision not to seek retention all that more difficult."

Brownfield said he wanted more time for his six grandchildren and four grandchildren. He and his wife, Terri, live in rural Havana. He said he intends to stay active in the legal professions.

Prior to being elected to the bench in 1986, he served as an assistant and state's attorney of Mason County. He was first elected chief judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit in 2001 and is completing his fourth term in that position.

He has served on numerous committees of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Conference of Chief Circuit Judges and the Illinois Supreme Court over the course of his career.