Report: Rita Garman to be named Chief Justice
Thursday, Sep 5, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
11:57 a.m. - Brian Mackey reporting…
Garman would be the second woman to head the Illinois Supreme Court — and in fact, only the second woman to lead one of Illinois’ three branches of government.
Based in Danville, Garman has been a lawyer since 1968, a judge since 1974, and on the Supreme Court since 2002.
Unlike on the U.S. Supreme Court, the chief justice of Illinois serves a three-year term. The position usually rotates among the justices based on seniority.
- LincolnLounger - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 12:51 pm:
They don’t make them any better than Rita Garman.
- Steve - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 12:53 pm:
When is Anne Burke going to become Chief Justice?? We don’t have enough Burkes in power. They are so altruistic. They win awards for being so civic. They are such excellent role models for all of humanity.
- Interesting - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:13 pm:
Good for Garman, but sad to see Kilbride go. The court has made more progress over the past 3 years under his leadership than over the past decade. He has done a great job.
- Aikaterine - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:27 pm:
Rita Garman is pure class. She will make an excellent Chief. Well deserved.
- D P Gumby - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:40 pm:
I second Interesting!
- bored now - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 2:06 pm:
and my first reaction, steve, was: at least it isn’t anne burke…
- Raising Kane - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 2:15 pm:
She is a classy lady; smart, honest and thoughtful. She will make a great Chief Justice.
- orzo - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 4:33 pm:
The Court will have had three excellent chiefs in a row–Fitzgerald, Kilbride, and now Garman. A far cry from the Heiple/Bilandic days…
- Anonymour - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 6:13 pm:
20 years ago, the Solovy Commission recommended that Chief Justices be chosen for their administrative ability, since they function as boss of the Illinois court system, and not just the Court. Then Bilandic became Chief, and the Commission’s report was ashcanned. It’s still a good idea, though.
- RNUG - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 6:44 pm:
She’s going to have her hands full, politically speaking, with both the State health insurance case and the coming pension cases.
- Salukidog - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:13 pm:
Justice Rita Garman is perhaps the best public servant that I have ever met. What a wonderful and positive commentary on our system of government that an individual with such ability, integrity and class will become our next Chief Justice. Spectacular!
- Fearless Freep - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:22 pm:
Where is Kilbride going? Did I miss something?
- Salukidog - Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:36 pm:
In Illinois, the Chief Justice serves a three year term. Kilbride’s term is expiring.