Will County Circuit Judge Herman Haase returned to the courtroom Tuesday after a seven-month absence.
Haase, who is recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, said he has returned on a part-time basis. He will hear cases at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while continuing his physical therapy at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center in Wheaton.
Haase said his limited mobility did not interfere with his work.
“There’s no problem with me hearing cases,” he said.
He said Judge Rodney Lechwar, who took over when Haase fell ill, will continue to fill in as chief judge.
Haase, a judge since 1977, said his last day of work in the courthouse was Jan. 15.
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He began suffering symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which damages the peripheral nerves, in Florida later that month.
He was hospitalized briefly in Florida and Chicago, arriving at Marianjoy in Wheaton in February.
The nerve damage has not completely healed, but Haase and his doctors said he was ready to resume a partial work schedule while therapy continues.