Illinois
Illinois’ highest court is the Supreme Court of Illinois. The court has six justices and one chief justice, who is elected by the other justices to serve a three-year term. (Source: Supreme Court of Illinois; Illinois Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Justices on the Supreme Court of Illinois are elected for 10-year terms through a partisan election, where multiple candidates may vie for the seat. Justices may seek additional terms through an unopposed yes/no retention vote. When a seat becomes open in the middle of a justice’s term, the remaining justices of the court appoint a judicial candidate to fill the vacancy. An interim justice appointed more than 60 days before Illinois’ next judicial primary holds office until the next general or judicial election. However, an interim justice appointed less than 60 days before Illinois’ next judicial primary, holds office until the second general or judicial election after the appointment. There are no term limits nor is there a mandatory retirement age.
State Constitution
Illinois has had four constitutions adopted between 1818 and 1970. As of January 1, 2024, it had 16 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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Why We Should Care About Diversity on the Bench
New data shows women and people of color are underrepresented on state high courts.
Supreme Court and Election Law Still Feel the Fallout 25 Years After Bush v. Gore
The 5–4 decision started a long slide in public approval for the court, accentuated by a widening partisan gap.
Bush v. Gore Introduced a Fringe Theory that Threatened Elections Decades Later
The “independent state legislature theory,” shut down in 2023 by the U.S. Supreme Court, would have robbed state courts of the power to review state laws related to federal elections.
Judging Democracy: A Former Justice Reflects on Bush v. Gore 25 Years Later
The legal battles over the 2000 presidential election were the beginning of a cautionary tale reminding us that democracy does not sustain itself.
Everyone Benefits When Judges Come from a Variety of Backgrounds
Amid attacks on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the need for representative state supreme courts is as urgent as ever.
State Challenges to Immigration Enforcement Practices
Recent lawsuits in Wisconsin, New York, and California explore questions about the role of state law in federal immigration enforcement.
States, Not the President, Run Elections in America
The administration’s attempts to undermine or interfere with elections run afoul of constitutional delegations of responsibility.
State Legalization of Marijuana Is Changing Search and Seizure Jurisprudence
The smell of marijuana, on its own, is no longer considered to be evidence of criminal activity in many jurisdictions.