Chief Justice Anne Burke To Retire From Illinois Supreme Court

CHICAGO — Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke will step down from the state's highest court later this year, she announced.

Burke was first appointed to the court in 2006, filling the unexpired term of retiring Justice Mary Ann McMorrow, the first woman to serve on the state supreme court.

In 2008, Burke was unopposed in her run for the seat and in 2018 was retained by 81 percent of voters. She became chief justice in October 2019.

“I have been blessed to serve as a Supreme Court Justice for the past 16 years and have loved working with my staff, colleagues and Judicial Branch staff to serve the people of Illinois,” Burke said in a statement announcing her retirement.

Burke's term as chief justice ends on Oct. 25, and she plans to retire on Nov. 30, weeks after voters select two new justices.

“The past three years as Chief Justice have been a challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am thrilled with the progress made by the Illinois Courts," she said.

Burke is one of three justices on the seven-member court representing the 1st District — Cook County — the only district to remain unchanged in last year's judicial redistricting.

Court officials announced that justices had picked Joy Cunningham, an appellate judge from Cook County, to succeed Burke on the court. Cunningham's term will run from Dec. 1, 2022, to Dec. 2, 2024.

Cunningham said in a statement she was grateful for the trust that justices had placed in her.

"I will do my best to serve with humility, integrity and compassion and always remember why I am there — to serve the people,” Cunningham said.

“We have a distinguished Supreme Court in Illinois, and I am proud to have the opportunity to serve alongside these exceptional public servants," she added. "I am pleased to live in a state and a country in which my contributions are valued and my opportunities are limitless."

Justice Mary Jane Theis, another Cook County Democrat, will serve as the next chief justice, the 122nd in the history of the state, according to court officials. She will serve a three year term starting next month.

Thies thanked her colleagues for the opportunity to become chief justice.

“I would also like to congratulate Justice Burke for her successful term as Chief and her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with the bench, bar and community at large to further the Court’s mission of providing access to equal justice, ensuring judicial integrity and upholding the rule of law," Thies said. "Our goal continues to be increasing public trust and confidence in the courts.”

In a retirement letter, Burke, who began her legal career in her 40s, said she was inspired to return to college by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband Ed Burke, the longtime 14th Ward alderman and property tax attorney currently awaiting trial in federal court on corruption charges.

"I have always believed that the nearly twelve years I spent as a justice of the Appellate Court and the sixteen years I have served on the Supreme Court, have been a continuation of my core desire to speak for those who have no voice of their own and to improve the lives of all of the citizens of the State," she said. "I will remain forever grateful to the people of Chicago and the First Judicial District for granting me the opportunity to serve them and all the people of Illinois."