John L. Nickels was raised on a dairy farm in rural Illinois, started his education in a one-room country schoolhouse at the age of four and rose to become a Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Justice Nickels passed away in the company of his family on Monday after a long illness. He had served on Illinois’ highest court from December 1992 to his retirement in December 1998, earning a reputation as a quiet, private man but one who was unafraid to express his fidelity to fundamental beliefs and to call out publicly those he felt had abused their trust. Justice Nickels was 82.
"He was a gentle and most hospitable man," Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said. "He carried a wealth of compassion and internal resolve to bring out the best in all of us -- to be respectful professionals. He was a real role model and epitomized that it was quite acceptable 'to agree to disagree.' "