Supreme Court of Illinois
Encyclopedia
The Supreme Court of Illinois is the state supreme court
of Illinois
. The court's authority is granted in Article VI of the current Illinois Constitution
, which provides for seven justices elected from the five appellate judicial districts of the state
: Three justices from the First District (Cook County
) and one from each of the other four districts. Each justice is elected for a term of ten years and the chief justice is elected by the court from its members for a three-year term.
and has final appellate jurisdiction
. It has mandatory jurisdiction in capital
cases and cases where the constitutionality
of laws has been called into question, and discretionary jurisdiction
from the Illinois Appellate Court
. Along with the state legislature, the court promulgates rules for all state courts. Also, its members have the authority to elevate trial judges to the appellate court on a temporary basis. The court administers professional discipline through the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee and they govern initial licensing through the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar.
The official reporter
of the Illinois Supreme Court is Illinois Reports
.
State supreme court
In the United States, the state supreme court is the highest state court in the state court system ....
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The court's authority is granted in Article VI of the current Illinois Constitution
Illinois Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Illinois is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions; the fourth and current version was adopted in 1970.-History:...
, which provides for seven justices elected from the five appellate judicial districts of the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
: Three justices from the First District (Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
) and one from each of the other four districts. Each justice is elected for a term of ten years and the chief justice is elected by the court from its members for a three-year term.
Jurisdiction
The court has limited original jurisdictionOriginal jurisdiction
The original jurisdiction of a court is the power to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to appellate jurisdiction, when a court has the power to review a lower court's decision.-France:...
and has final appellate jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction is the power of the Supreme Court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts. Most appellate jurisdiction is legislatively created, and may consist of appeals by leave of the appellate court or by right...
. It has mandatory jurisdiction in capital
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
cases and cases where the constitutionality
Constitutionality
Constitutionality is the condition of acting in accordance with an applicable constitution. Acts that are not in accordance with the rules laid down in the constitution are deemed to be ultra vires.-See also:*ultra vires*Company law*Constitutional law...
of laws has been called into question, and discretionary jurisdiction
Discretionary jurisdiction
Discretionary jurisdiction is a legal term used to describe a circumstance where a court has the power to decide whether to hear a particular case brought before it...
from the Illinois Appellate Court
Illinois Appellate Court
The Illinois Appellate Court is the court of first appeal for civil and criminal cases arising in the Illinois Circuit Courts. Three Illinois Appellate Court judges hear each case and the concurrence of two is necessary to render a decision. The Illinois Appellate Court will render its opinion in...
. Along with the state legislature, the court promulgates rules for all state courts. Also, its members have the authority to elevate trial judges to the appellate court on a temporary basis. The court administers professional discipline through the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee and they govern initial licensing through the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar.
The official reporter
Law report
Law reports or reporters are series of books that contain judicial opinions from a selection of case law decided by courts. When a particular judicial opinion is referenced, the law report series in which the opinion is printed will determine the case citation format.The term reporter was...
of the Illinois Supreme Court is Illinois Reports
Illinois Reports
Illinois Reports is the official reporter of the Illinois Supreme Court. It is published by Thomson Reuters, under contract with the Illinois Supreme Court Reporter of Decisions. The Illinois Supreme Court retains the copyright....
.
Justices
While the justices of many states' supreme courts are expected to relocate to the state capital for the duration of their terms of office, the justices of the Illinois Supreme Court continue to reside in their home districts and have chambers in their respective appellate courthouses (for example, the three First District justices are chambered in the Michael Bilandic Building in Chicago). The justices travel to Springfield to hear oral arguments and to deliberate. Accordingly, the Illinois Supreme Courthouse includes temporary apartments for the justices' use while in Springfield.Current Justices
| Name | Party | Joined | Term Ends | District | Law school attended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas L. Kilbride Thomas L. Kilbride Thomas L. Kilbride , is the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois since 2010. He has serves as the Illinois Supreme Court Justice for the Third District.-Biography:... (Chief Justice) |
Democratic | 2000 | 2010 | 3rd | Antioch School of Law Antioch School of Law Antioch School of Law was a law school in Washington, D.C. which specialized in public advocacy, which now operates as the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.-History:... |
| Charles E. Freeman Charles E. Freeman Charles E. Freeman is an American attorney and first district justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. He was elected to his position on the court on November 6, 1990, becoming its first African-American justice. He served as chief justice from May 12, 1997 to January 1, 2000... |
Democratic | 1990 | 2012 | 1st | John Marshall Law School |
| Robert R. Thomas Robert R. Thomas Robert R. Thomas is a justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois and a former professional football player. He has served as the Illinois Supreme Court Justice for the Second District since December 4, 2000 and as Chief Justice from September 6, 2005, to September 5, 2008... |
Republican | 2000 | 2010 | 2nd | Loyola University Chicago School of Law Loyola University Chicago School of Law Loyola University Chicago School of Law is the law school of the Loyola University Chicago, in Illinois. Established in 1909, by the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic order of the Jesuits, the School of Law is located in downtown Chicago, within walking distance of the Water Tower , the John... |
| Mary Jane Theis Mary Jane Theis Mary Jane Theis is an Illinois Supreme Court Justice from Chicago, Illinois.- References :... |
Democrat | 2010 | 20?? | 1st | University of San Francisco University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of... |
| Rita B. Garman Rita B. Garman Rita B. Garman is a fourth district justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. She was appointed on February 5, 2001.-Biography:... |
Republican | 2001 | 2012 | 4th | University of Iowa College of Law University of Iowa College of Law The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the eleven professional graduate schools at the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. The law school was ranked as the 27th best law school... |
| Lloyd A. Karmeier Lloyd A. Karmeier Lloyd A. Karmeier is a fifth district justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. A Republican, he was elected to his current position in a highly-contested election against Democrat Gordon Maag in 2004.-Biography:... |
Republican | 2004 | 2014 | 5th | University of Illinois College of Law |
| Anne M. Burke | Democratic | 2006 | 2018 | 1st | Chicago-Kent College of Law Chicago-Kent College of Law Chicago–Kent College of Law, the law school affiliated with Illinois Institute of Technology, is nationally recognized for the scholarship and accomplishments of its faculty and student body. It is the second oldest law school in the state of Illinois. Many of the applications of technology in the... |
1900 – 1999
- S. Louis Rathje (1999–2000)
- Michael Anthony BilandicMichael Anthony BilandicMichael Anthony Bilandic was an Illinois politician who served as the mayor of Chicago, Illinois and as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. He was a member of the Democratic Party....
(1994–1997) - Mary Ann G. McMorrowMary Ann G. McMorrowMary Ann G. McMorrow is a former Illinois Supreme Court justice.- Career :Mary Ann G. McMorrow received her law degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in Illinois in 1953. She was employed by the law firm of Riordan & Linklater, engaging in the...
(1992–2006) - Moses W. Harrison II (1992–2002)
- John L. Nickels (1992–1998)
- Benjamin K. Miller (1984–2001)
- Joseph F. Cunningham (1991–1992)
- James D. Heiple (1990–2000)
- Horace L. Calvo (1988–1991)
- John J. Stamos (1988–1990)
- Joseph F. Cunningham (1987–1988)
- Seymour SimonSeymour SimonSeymour Simon was an American lawyer, Appellate Court and Supreme Court Justice in Illinois, and City Council member in Chicago, Illinois.-Life:...
(1980–1988) - Thomas E. Kluczynski (1978–1980)
- William G. Clark (1976–1992)
- Caswell J. Crebs (1975–1976)
- Thomas J. Moran (1976–1992)
- James A. Dooley (1976–1978)
- Howard C. RyanHoward C. RyanHoward C. Ryan was an elected judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois from 1970 to 1990, and the Chief Justice of this court in 1982–1985.A native of Tonica, Howard C...
(1970–1990) - Joseph H. Goldenhersh (1970–1987)
- Charles H. DavisCharles H. Davis (judge)Charles H. Davis was a Republican lawyer who has twice served on the Illinois Supreme Court, once as Chief Justice, and on the Illinois Appellate Court, also as Presiding Justice....
(2nd time, 1970–1975) - Marvin F. Burt (1969–1970)
- Caswell J. Crebs (1969–1970)
- John T. Culbertson, Jr. (1969–1970)
- Thomas E. Kluczynski (1966–1976)
- Daniel P. Ward (1966–1990)
- Robert C. Underwood (1962–1984)
- Roy SolfisburgRoy SolfisburgRoy J. Solfisburg, Jr. was the Chief Justice of Illinois for the 1962-63 term and again from 1967 to 1969. Solfisburg was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1960, the first time in the states history, a sitting Justice was defeated by a challenger. This created a political stir having a...
(1962–1963) - Joseph E. Daily (1958–1959)
- Byron O. House (1957–1969)
- Charles H. Davis (1st time, 1955–1960)
- Ray KlingbielRay KlingbielRay I. Klingbiel was the Chief Justice of Illinois in 1956–57, and again from 1964 to 1967. In 1969, while Klingbiel was still sitting on the Supreme Court of Illinois, a major Illinois scandal erupted when conspiracy theorist Sherman Skolnick revealed that Klingbiel and Chief Justice Roy J....
(1953–1969) - Walter V. Schaefer (1951–1976)
- Harry B. Hershey (1951–1966)
- George W. Bristow (1951–1961)
- Ralph L. Maxwell (1951–1956)
- Joseph E. Daily (1951–1952)
- Albert M. Crampton (1948–1953)
- Joseph E. Daily (1948–1965)
- Jessie L. Simpson (1947–1951)
- Charles H. ThompsonCharles H. ThompsonCharles H. Thompson was the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for eight years. Thompson was appointed to the position in January 1992 and retired in 2000. He now lives in Florida with his wife...
(1942–1950) - William J. Fulton (1942–1954)
- June C. Smith (1941–1947)
- Loren E. Murphy (1939–1948)
- Walter T. Gunn (1938–1951)
- Francis S. Wilson (1935–1951)
- Elwyn R. Shaw (1933–1942)
- Lott R. Herrick (1933–1937)
- Paul Farthing (1933–1942)
- Norman L. Jones (1931–1940)
- Warren H. Orr (1930–1939)
- Paul Samuell (1929–1930)
- Cyrus E. DietzCyrus E. Dietz-External links:...
(1928–1929) - Oscar E. Heard (1927–1928)
- Clyde E. Stone (1926–1927)
- Frank K. Dunn (1925–1926)
- Frederic R. DeYoung (1924–1934)
- Oscar E. Heard (1924–1933)
- Floyd E. Thompson (1919–1928)
- Clyde E. Stone (1918–1948)
- Warren W. Duncan (1915–1933)
- Albert Watson (1915–1915)
- Charles C. Craig (1913–1918)
- George A. CookeGeorge A. CookeGeorge A. Cooke was a member of the Illinois General Assembly 1902-1909 and a judge of the Illinois Supreme Court 1909-1918, serving as chief justice 1913-1914.-Biography:...
(1909–1919) - Frank K. Dunn (1907–1933)
- Orrin N. Carter (1906–1924)
- Alonzo K. Vickers (1906–1915)
- William M. Farmer (1906–1931)\
- Guy C. Scott (1903–1909)
- James B. Ricks (1901–1906)
- John P. Hand (1900–1913)
1818 – 1899
- Carroll C. Boggs (1897–1906)
- Joseph N. Carter (1894–1903)
- James H. Cartwright (1895–1924)
- Jesse J. Phillips (1893–1901)
- Joseph M. Bailey (1888–1895)
- Jacob W. Wilkin (1888–1907)
- Benjamin D. Magruder (1885–1906)
- Simeon P. Shope (1885–1894)
- Damon G. Tunnicliffe (1885–1885)
- David J. Baker, Jr.David J. Baker, Jr.David Jewett Baker, Jr. , the son of David J. Baker, was a justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Born in Kaskaskia, Illinois, Baker was an Illinois state court judge-Notes:...
(1888–1897) - John H. Mulkey (1879–1888)
- David J. Baker, Jr.David J. Baker, Jr.David Jewett Baker, Jr. , the son of David J. Baker, was a justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Born in Kaskaskia, Illinois, Baker was an Illinois state court judge-Notes:...
(1878–1879) - T. Lyle Dickey (1875–1885)
- Alfred M. Craig (1873–1900)
- John Scholfield (1873–1893)
- William K. McAllister (1870–1875)
- Benjamin R. Sheldon (1870–1888)
- John M. Scott (1870–1888)
- Anthony ThorntonAnthony Thornton (representative)Anthony Thornton was an American attorney who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois and a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court....
(1870–1873) - Charles B. Lawrence (1864–1873)
- Corydon Beckwith (1864–1864)
- Pinckney H. Walker (1858–1888)
- Sidney BreeseSidney BreeseSidney Breese was a U.S. Senator from Illinois, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, a forefather of Illinois, and "father of the Illinois Central Railroad".-Early life:...
(1857–1878) - Onias C. Skinner (1855–1858)
- Walter B. Scates (1853–1857)
- Lyman TrumbullLyman TrumbullLyman Trumbull was a United States Senator from Illinois during the American Civil War, and co-author of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.-Education and early career:...
(1848–1853) - David M. Woodson (1848–1848)
- Jesse B. Thomas, Jr.Jesse B. Thomas, Jr.Jesse Burgess Thomas, Jr. was born in Lebanon, Ohio and was an Illinois politician who served as the Illinois Attorney General from 1835-1836 and later on the state Supreme Court....
(1847–1848) - William A. Denning (1847–1848)
- Norman H. Purple (1845–1848)
- Gustavus P. Koerner (1845–1848)
- James ShieldsJames ShieldsJames Shields was an American politician and United States Army officer who was born in Altmore, County Tyrone, Ireland. Shields, a Democrat, is the only person in United States history to serve as a U.S. Senator for three different states...
(1843–1845) - Jesse B. Thomas, Jr.Jesse B. Thomas, Jr.Jesse Burgess Thomas, Jr. was born in Lebanon, Ohio and was an Illinois politician who served as the Illinois Attorney General from 1835-1836 and later on the state Supreme Court....
(1843–1845) - John Dean Caton (1843–1864)
- John M. RobinsonJohn M. RobinsonJohn McCracken Robinson was a United States Senator from Illinois.Born near Georgetown, Kentucky, he attended the common schools and graduated from Transylvania University at Lexington. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and began practice in Carmi, Illinois in 1818...
(1843–1843) - Richard M. YoungRichard M. YoungRichard Montgomery Young was a U.S. Senator from Illinois.Young was born in Fayette County, Kentucky and was admitted to the bar in 1814. In 1817, he moved his law practices to Jonesboro, Illinois and was appointed a Captain in the State Militia. He served in the Illinois state house from...
(1843–1847) - James SempleJames SempleJames Semple was a United States Senator from Illinois.Born in Green County, Kentucky, he had some private education as well as public schooling before enlisting in the Army in 1814 and being an ensign in the Kentucky Militia in 1816. He moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1818 and to Chariton,...
(1843–1843) - John Dean Caton (1842–1843)
- Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. DouglasStephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
(1841–1843) - Samuel H. TreatSamuel Hubbel Treat, Jr.Samuel Hubbel Treat, Jr. was a United States federal judge.Born in Plainfield, New York, Treat read law to enter the bar in 1834. He was in private practice in Springfield, Illinois from 1834 to 1839. He was a judge on the Circuit Court of Illinois from 1839 to 1841, becoming a Justice of the...
(1841–1855) - Walter B. Scates (1841–1847)
- Sidney BreeseSidney BreeseSidney Breese was a U.S. Senator from Illinois, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, a forefather of Illinois, and "father of the Illinois Central Railroad".-Early life:...
(1841–1843) - Thomas FordThomas Ford (politician)Thomas Ford was the eighth Governor of Illinois, and served in this capacity from 1842 to 1846. A Democrat, he is remembered largely for his involvement in the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., and the subsequent Illinois Mormon War...
(1841–1842) - Theophilus W. SmithTheophilus W. SmithTheophilus Washington Smith was an Illinois Supreme Court Justice from 1825 until his resignation on December 26, 1842. He holds the distinction of being the subject of Illinois's first impeachment trial, held in 1833....
(1825–1842) - Samuel D. LockwoodSamuel D. LockwoodSamuel Drake Lockwood was an Illinois politician who served as the state's Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Supreme Court Justice....
(1825–1848) - Thomas ReynoldsThomas Reynolds (Governor)Thomas Reynolds was the seventh Governor of Missouri from 1840 to 1844. He belonged to the Democratic Party....
(1822–1825) - William Wilson (1819–1848)
- Joseph PhillipsJoseph Phillips (jurist)Joseph Phillips was an American politician and jurist from Illinois.Phillips was the second and last Secretary of Illinois Territory serving from 1816 until 1818...
(1818–1822) - Thomas C. Browne (1818–1848)
- William P. Foster (1818–1819)
- John ReynoldsJohn Reynolds (U.S. politician)John Reynolds was a United States politician from the state of Illinois. He was one of the original four justices of the Illinois Supreme Court, 1818–1825, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1826–1830, 1846–1848, and 1852–1854 , and the 4th Illinois Governor from 1830–1834...
(1818–1825)