Supreme Court of Illinois Decisions

Seven justices serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, which is located in Springfield. The Court generally reviews appeals from the Illinois Appellate Court at its discretion, but it must hear an appeal when a case involves the constitutionality of a law. It also holds original jurisdiction over matters related to writs of mandamus and habeas corpus, as well as certain other narrow situations. The Chief Justice and the staff of the Supreme Court oversee the other Illinois courts. The Court works together with the Illinois legislature in making rules for the judicial branch.

To be qualified to serve as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen who is licensed to practice law in the state. They also must be a resident of the district in which they run for election. The Illinois legislature formerly required all justices (and other judges) to retire at the age of 75, but the Illinois Supreme Court struck down this rule in 2009. Justices serve 10-year terms, for which they are elected in partisan elections. Illinois is divided into five judicial districts for the purposes of these elections. The district that contains Chicago and Cook County elects three justices, while each of the other districts elects one justice. At the end of their term, a justice will receive another term if they secure at least 60 percent of the votes in a retention election. The justices of the Court elect the Chief Justice to serve a three-year term.

When a vacancy arises on the Court, the remaining justices will appoint an interim justice to fill the seat. Illinois is the only state in the U.S. that allows its state Supreme Court to make interim appointments to its own seats. To retain their seat, the interim justice must seek a full term in the first general election that is held more than 60 days after they are appointed.

Browse Opinions From the Supreme Court of Illinois

Recent Decisions From the Supreme Court of Illinois
MB Financial Bank, N.A. v. Brophy  
Date: September 21, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 128252
Docket Number: 128252

Justia Opinion Summary: In 2005, Joliet filed a complaint seeking to acquire, by eminent domain, a low-income apartment complex that was owned and managed by the plaintiffs. Following almost 12 years of litigation, Joliet acquired fee simple…

People v. Lozano  
Date: September 21, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 128609
Docket Number: 128609

Justia Opinion Summary: Chicago police arrested Lozano, who was subsequently charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. Lozano moved to suppress evidence (a car radio, a wallet, and two screwdrivers) arguing that when the officers…

Clanton v. Oakbrook Healthcare Centre, Ltd.  
Date: September 21, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 129067
Docket Number: 129067

Justia Opinion Summary: Jansen was a resident at a skilled nursing facility. Kotalik, with Jansen’s power of attorney for healthcare, signed a “Contract Between Resident and Facility” that provides all civil claims shall be resolved…

Caulkins v. Pritzker  
Date: August 11, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 129453
Docket Number: 129453

Justia Opinion Summary: The Protect Illinois Communities Act restricts firearms and related items that the Act defines as “an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge” (assault weapons), 720 ILCS…

People v. Washington  
Date: July 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127952
Docket Number: 127952

Justia Opinion Summary: Washington and Hood were arrested in 1993; they were charged with armed robbery and murder. Washington, 19 years old, had no criminal record. He claims Chicago police detectives, subordinates of infamous Chicago…

Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc.  
Date: July 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 128004
Docket Number: 128004

Justia Opinion Summary: An employee alleged that her employer, White Castle, introduced a system that required its employees to scan their fingerprints to access their pay stubs and computers. A third-party vendor then verified each scan and…

Rowe v. Raoul  
Date: July 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 129248
Docket Number: 129248

Justia Opinion Summary: The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices made multiple recommendations to “ensure defendants are not denied liberty solely due to their inability to financially secure their release from custody.” In…

People v. Urzua  
Date: June 15, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127789
Docket Number: 127789

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the judgment of the appellate court reversing the judgment of the circuit court granting the State's motion to dismiss Petitioner's appeal of the second-stage…

People v. Sneed  
Date: June 15, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127968
Docket Number: 127968

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the appellate court reversing the decision of the circuit court finding that the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination prevented the State from compelling…

People v. English  
Date: June 15, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 128077
Docket Number: 128077

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the appellate court dismissing Petitioner's appeal from the denial of his motion for leave to file a successive postconviction petition under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act,…

PML Development LLC v. Village of Hawthorn Woods  
Date: June 15, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 128770
Docket Number: 128770

Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court reversed in part the decision of the appellate court reversing the judgment of the circuit court in favor of PML Development LLC on its action against the Village of Hawthorn Woods for breach of a…

People v. Pinkett  
Date: June 2, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127223
Docket Number: 127223

Justia Opinion Summary: Pinkett was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer after he failed to stop his motorcycle in response to police sirens and lights and traveled more than 21 miles per hour over the speed…

People v. Moore  
Date: May 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 126461
Docket Number: 126461

Justia Opinion Summary: Moore and Williams, both sentenced to life in prison without parole for separate murders committed when they were 19 years old, appealed from judgments denying them leave to file successive postconviction petitions…

People v. Prante  
Date: May 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127241
Docket Number: 127241

Justia Opinion Summary: In 1983, Prante was convicted of a strangulation murder. The appellate court rejected Prante’s claim that the state’s expert testimony concerning bite marks should not have been admitted. In 1993, Prante filed a…

People v. Wilson  
Date: May 18, 2023
Citation: 2023 IL 127666
Docket Number: 127666

Justia Opinion Summary: In 2008, Graefnitz went with Wilson and Moore to buy drugs. Graefnitz was shot in the back and died from his wounds. Wilson was then 14 years old. The court granted a transfer motion, concluding that charging Wilson in…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.
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