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Biography
Paul E. Riley (April 24, 1942 – October 11, 2001) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Alton, Illinois, Riley received a B.S. from Saint Louis University in 1964 and a J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1967. He was a Hearing examiner for the Illinois Commerce Commission from 1968 to 1969, and was thereafter in private practice in Edwardsville, Illinois from 1969 to 1985, also serving as an assistant public defender for Madison County, Illinois from 1971 to 1982. He was an associate circuit judge for the Third Circuit Court of Illinois from 1985 to 1986, and a circuit judge for that court from 1986 to 1994, including service as chief circuit judge in 1991.
On August 16, 1994, Riley was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, created by 104 Stat. 5089. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 6, 1994, and received his commission on October 7, 1994. Riley served in that capacity until his death, in Edwardsville, Illinois.