Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Report: Rita Garman to be named Chief Justice

Posted in:

Illinois

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.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 12:03 pm

Comments

They don’t make them any better than Rita Garman.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 12:51 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.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 12:53 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.

Comment by Interesting Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Rita Garman is pure class. She will make an excellent Chief. Well deserved.

Comment by Aikaterine Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:27 pm
I second Interesting!

Comment by D P Gumby Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 1:40 pm
and my first reaction, steve, was: at least it isn’t anne burke…

Comment by bored now Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 2:06 pm
She is a classy lady; smart, honest and thoughtful. She will make a great Chief Justice.

Comment by Raising Kane Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 2:15 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…

Comment by orzo Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 4:33 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.

Comment by Anonymour Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 6:13 pm
She’s going to have her hands full, politically speaking, with both the State health insurance case and the coming pension cases.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 6:44 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!

Comment by Salukidog Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:13 pm
Where is Kilbride going? Did I miss something?

Comment by Fearless Freep Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:22 pm
In Illinois, the Chief Justice serves a three year term. Kilbride’s term is expiring.

Comment by Salukidog Thursday, Sep 5, 13 @ 9:36 pm