Robert L. Carter (born February 26, 1946)[1] is a former justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

He is the son-in-law of former Judge and Representative Paul E. Rink[3] Carter was a childhood resident of Grandview, Illinois.

[5] Carter was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court upon the retirement of Tobias Barry for a term beginning September 1, 2006.

[10] In the 2020 general election, incumbent Justice Thomas L. Kilbride received approximately 56% of the vote in favor of his retention, which is less than the supermajority of 60% required by state law to be retained.

[11] After Kilbride lost retention, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Carter as a placeholder until the 2022 general election.