Illinois Supreme Court
From Ballotpedia
The Supreme Court of Illinois is the highest judicial court of the state 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.[1]. The district encompassing Cook County is represented by three justices, while the other four districts elect one each. 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.
The court has limited original jurisdiction, hears appeals of right in death penalty cases and cases where the constitutionality of laws has been called into question, and has a docket of discretionary appeal from the Illinois Appellate Court. Along with the state legislature, the court promulgates court rules for the state as a whole. Also, its members have the authority to elevate trial judges to the appellate court on a temporary basis. [2] 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.
Rulings on ballot measures
- In 1978, the court removed the Illinois Initiative (1978) from the ballot on the grounds that it violated Section 3 of Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution.
Current justices
- Robert Thomas Chief Justice (2nd District)
- Thomas Fitzgerald (1st District)
- Charles Freeman (1st District)
- Rita Garman (4th District)
- Lloyd Karmeier (5th District)
- Thomas Kilbride (3rd District)
- Anne Burke (1st District)
External links
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- Wikipedia article on the Illinois Supreme Court
- List of Supreme Court Justices from Supreme Court's website
