McLean County Times

State Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Watseka) recently took to social media to share news of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke’s impending retirement.

In a Sept. 20 Facebook post, Bennett wrote “Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice announces retirement” and provided a link to a State Journal-Register article on the announcement that Burke would end her tenure on Dec. 1. The article stated that Burke began her judicial career as a judge of the Illinois Court of Claims in 1987 and has served on the Supreme Court since 2006.

“The decision to retire was not an easy one,” Burke said in a statement announcing her retirement. “However, after having been blessed to serve as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for the past sixteen years, and as Chief Justice for the past three years, the race has been run and it is time to pass the gavel to a successor.”

Burke stated that she has enjoyed the opportunity to serve the people of Illinois by ensuring a fair and equitable legal system.

“I gratefully acknowledge that any achievements I may have made could not have been realized without the assistance and support of others,” she said. “I thank, first and foremost, my family - my husband, Ed, who has been at my side through 54 years of marriage, and our children, Jennifer, Ed Jr., Emmett (deceased), Sarah, and Travis, and our nine grandchildren - for the sacrifices they have made for me and for being constant sources of love and encouragement.”

The Illinois Supreme Court announced that First District Appellate Justice Joy V. Cunningham will replace Burke on the court; with her term beginning Dec. 1, 2022, and running through Dec. 2, 2024. Cunningham will be the second Black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. The first, Justice Lisa Holder White, was appointed earlier this year.