Justice System: Illinois

The court system in Illinois includes the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court (divided into five districts), and the Circuit Court (divided into 23 judicial circuits).

Overview of IL Court System

• Circuit Court
• Appellate Court
• Supreme Court

Overview of Attorney General
Lisa Madigan, Attorney General (Democrat)

• First Elected in 2002
• Reelected in 2006
• Up for reelection in 2010

Contingency Fees and the Attorney General
Illinois law does not prohibit contingent fee contracts. However, before filing the first pleading in any antitrust civil action in the name of the state, the attorney general must file with the state’s Auditor General a statement disclosing the fee arrangements applicable to the attorneys’ fees in relation to that civil litigation.

(Taken from Bounty Hunters On The Prowl: The Troubling Alliance Of State
Attorneys General and Plaintiffs’ Lawyers; by John Beisner, Jessica Davidson Miller, and Terrell McSweeny; May 26, 2005)

Supreme Court Justice System

The Supreme Court, highest tribunal in Illinois, has seven justices, elected from judicial districts for a term of 10 years. Three justices are elected from the First District (Cook County), and one from each of the other four districts. The Supreme Court has general administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in the state. This authority is exercised by the Chief Justice with the assistance of the Administrative Director and staff appointed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue, mandamus, prohibition or habeas corpus. (About the Courts in Illinois)

Current Judges

Chief Justice Robert R. Thomas (R)
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 2000
• Term expires in 2010

Justice Charles E. Freeman (D)
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 1990
• Re-elected in 2000
• Term expires in 2010

Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald (D)
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 2000
• Term expires in 2010

Justice Thomas L. Kilbride (D)
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 2000
• Term expires in 2010

Justice Rita B. Garman (R)
• Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2001
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 2002
• Term expires in 2012

Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier (R)
• Elected to the Supreme Court in 2004
• Term expires in 2014

Justice Anne M. Burke (D)
• Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2006 by Governor Rod Blagojevich (D)
• Up for election in 2018