Francie and Daughter Sallie

Monroe County has been Francie’s home for 29 years. She married Philip Hill in 1980 and their daughter Sallie is the light of their lives. Sallie graduated from Bloomington South High School where she played softball, loved being a super fan for the woman’s basketball team, and was active in Sounds of South choir. Sallie is now a senior in college.

The Hill Girls: Margie, Francie and Sallie

Francie’s mother-in-law, Margie Hill, has long been active in Bloomington politics and charities. Margie, Francie and daughter Sallie enjoyed the 2001 Inauguration festivities.

Primary Victory

Francie was blessed with a wonderful group of supporters who worked tirelessly stuffing envelopes, going door to door, putting out yard signs and making every effort to tell voters about her candidacy in the Primary. Their endorsement of Francie’s qualifications was a key to the primary victory over two strong candidates.

Consultant for the Indiana Supreme Court

Francie currently works as a consultant to the Indiana Supreme Court to create and manage the Indiana Family Court Project, which serves Monroe County and 21 other court systems. The purpose of the Indiana Family Court Project is to be more effective and efficient in serving children and families in our courts. Francie wrote the 2003 Family Court Project Report which is available on the family court web site, along with current information and Trial Rules created solely for the family court counties.

Served as Juvenile Court Referee

Francie was appointed by Judge James Dixon in 1981 to serve as the Juvenile Court Referee of the Monroe Circuit Court. She presided over all the juvenile court trials in delinquency, child abuse and neglect, paternity, custody, guardianships, and mental healthy commitments. As the Juvenile Referee, Francie also collaborated with the local schools and community service providers, attended Monroe County Judges meetings, and spoke before the County Council and Commissioners with regard to fiscal matters for the Juvenile Court. Francie served as the Juvenile Referee from 1981 to 1986 with Judges Ken Todd, John Baker, Marc Kellams, James Dixon and Douglas “Randy” Bridges.

Justice Ginsberg visits the Child Advocacy Clinic

In 1999, Supreme Court Justice Ginsberg visited the Indiana University School of Law and spent the afternoon meeting with law students at the Child Advocacy Clinic. Francie and Law Professor Jeff Stake and Dean Fred Aman enjoyed visiting with Justice Ginsberg in the faculty lounge.

Teaching at the Law School

Francie began teaching at the Indiana University School of Law as an Adjunct Professor in 1985, and accepted a full-time position in 1997 as Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the Child Advocacy Clinic. Francie’s law students represented high-risk children in custody disputes, and Francie served as counsel in particularly complicated cases.

Started Monroe County CASA

In 1985, Francie obtained a grant from the American Bar Association to initiate the Monroe County CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA is a diverse group of volunteers who receive intensive training in juvenile law and child development, and then are appointed to advocate for abused and neglected children in the courtroom. The voice of these trained volunteers insures that the needs of the children are heard in the courtroom. Francie continues to be involved in CASA at the local, state, and national levels, and she taught the most recent CASA attorney training in 2005.

Judge Nat U. Hill on the Campaign Trail

Francie’s roots to Monroe County are deep. Her father-in-law, the late Judge Nat U. Hill served as the Monroe Circuit Court Judge from 1956 to 1980. Margie Hill was an active fundraiser for the Monroe County Boys Club and many other charitable causes. In 1956, Judge Hill, family, and friends campaigned in the family wagon. Pictured are Judge Nat U. Hill, Margie Hill, Nancy Reed, Nancy Grossman, Nyle Denny, and children Nat Hill, Phil Hill, Danny Grossman, Chipper Reed, Dobby Grossman, and Sara Jane Schmalz.

Working with local Veterans

In the spring of 2006, Francie worked with veterans groups AM VETS, VFW and the American Legion in a community-wide effort to encourage all citizens to register to vote.

Mom and Brother

Francie grew up in Columbia City Indiana, 20 miles from Ft. Wayne, where her mother, Dottie, and older brother Dick, still reside. Dottie is 86 years old and still canoes, golfs and swims daily in the summer. Francie’s younger brother Tom lives in W. Lafayette, Indiana. His daughters Jessica and Emily go to IU in Bloomington and help with Aunt Francie’s campaign when they are free.