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Thursday, April 06, 2006

Courts - Illinois' first, but NOT only, female Supreme Court justice resigns [Corrected]

The Chicago Tribune reports today, in a lengthy story, that:

Justice Mary Ann McMorrow, the first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, announced Wednesday she will step down from the panel, clearing the way for the appointment of Appellate Judge Anne M. Burke, wife of Chicago Ald. Edward Burke.

McMorrow recommended to her colleagues as her successor one of the state courts' most highly recognizable jurists, a judge well-known for her work on behalf of children in Illinois and nationwide.

Noting the importance of earning the "positions of trust" that judges hold, McMorrow predicted in a written statement that Burke would "serve with distinction" as the newest member of the high court.

The recommendation by McMorrow and subsequent appointment by the full court mean Burke will take over the panel's open Cook County seat this summer and will have the right to serve until the panel's next election in 2008. Burke could run for a 10-year term of office at that time.

McMorrow's selection of Burke highlights the political process used to select jurists in Illinois. Ald. Burke was among the key members of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee who chose McMorrow as their candidate in the 1992 Democratic primary. Fourteen years later, the alderman's wife was handpicked by McMorrow to succeed her.

Judge Burke's appointment raised some concerns about political clout in the selection process, by which McMorrow got to select her replacement and the full court then discussed it, and approved it, behind closed doors.

Here is coverage from the Chicago Sun-Times, including photos and links to a number of related stories.

[Corrected at 1:00 p.m.] Thanks to an alert reader who happens to be a member of the Indiana judiciary, I am able to quickly correct this morning's error. There are currently TWO women serving as justices of the Illinois Supreme Court.

As the above-entry reports, Justice McMurrow has announced her resignation, to be replaced by Appellate Justice Anne Burke. But Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman continues to serve.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 6, 2006 07:50 AM
Posted to Courts in general