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* From the Illinois Supreme Court…
Justice Charles E. Freeman, who had a long and distinguished career on the Illinois Supreme Court from 1990 to 2018 and was the first African American to serve on the Court and as Chief Justice, passed away on March 2, 2020. He was 86.
“It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Justice Charles E. Freeman. Charles and I had been acquaintances for several decades before I joined the court, having often attended many of the same social events,” Chief Justice Anne M. Burke said. “However, we became close friends once we became colleagues and I considered Charles to be my mentor. He was a gentleman and a truly gracious individual. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He was a consensus builder and treated everyone equally and with respect.”
Chief Justice Burke continued: “Justice Freeman was also a trailblazer. He was the first African American to become a member of the court and the first African American Chief Justice, positions he held with dignity and integrity. He was an accomplished jurist as well, serving the court with skill for almost 30 years.
“Justice Freeman was a devoted family man. He was married to the love of his life, Marylee for more than 50 years. Charles once told me that Marylee would slip a little love note into his suitcase every time he travelled to Springfield. I knew then that they had one of those storybook romances – everlasting. Charles was also a loving father to his son, Kevin, and daughter-in-law Cami, and a devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Skye and Miles.
“He will be greatly missed.”
Born in Richmond, Virginia, on December 12, 1933, Freeman descended from slaves freed by Quakers before the American Civil War. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Union University in 1954 and earned his Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School in 1962.
In private practice from 1962-1976, Freeman also served as an Illinois assistant attorney general, Cook County assistant state’s attorney, and assistant attorney for the County Board of Election Commissioners. He was appointed by Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner as an arbitrator with the Illinois Industrial Commission, where for nine years he heard thousands of work-related injury cases. Then from 1973-1976, under Gov. Dan Walker, he served on the Illinois Commerce Commission.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:54 pm
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Very sorry to read this, and condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be for a blessing.
Comment by Northsider Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:04 pm
An excellent Jurist. Sympathy to his family.
Comment by Stones Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:10 pm
Sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow jurists.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:32 pm
RIP Justice Freeman and thank you for your service.
Comment by Sayitaintso Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:38 pm
My sincere condolences to the friends and family of Charles Freeman, who served with honor and distinction as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, and in his entire career in the law.
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:44 pm
He was a great man and justice. Sometimes he was the lone voice for recognizing the rights of our kids to high quality education. From his dissent in Committee for Educational Rights v. Edgar:
“Despite the stark disparities in educational resources and opportunity alleged in this record, the majority concludes that the subject of educational quality is so important that only the political departments of state government, and not the judiciary, may play a role in outlining its parameters. I believe, however, that education is too precious a commodity for the judiciary to permit such a constitutional violation.“
Love and prayers to his family.
Comment by South Side Lawyer Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:05 pm
Kevin: very sorry for your loss.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:48 pm
Hello. I am one of his grandchildren. Thank you for your kind messages. I really appreciate it. My family is grieving right now, and I for one am devastated. I have known him my whole life and he was perfect. He was very sweet and nice. I loved him a lot. He wanted to spread peace and earn justice for others. His death will be an impact in our society, but I hope his spirit will live on forever, and others will learn from his ways and carry on his dream of freedom in theirown way.
Comment by Freeman Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:39 pm
I’m very sorry to hear this. My condolences to the family.
Comment by Tom Willis Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:46 pm
An accomplished lawyer who had the great joy of swearing in his good friend and partner Harold Washington in 1983. A kind man. Illinois is richer for his life and work..
Comment by Rich Hill Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 7:27 pm
What a great man. We are better because of this man. My condolences to his family and friends.
Comment by Froganon Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 8:52 am