The administrative director for the state’s top court has announced his retirement after decades working for the judicial branch. Michael J. Tardy, the director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, will officially retire Aug. 1. According to a release from the Illinois Supreme Court, he was instrumental in modernizing the court through e-filing, improved pre-trial and access to justice practices. He will be succeeded by Marcia Meis, the current deputy of the office.