Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke reflects on her 16 years on the Court.

After Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke recently announced that she would be retiring at the end of November after 16 years on the Court, she gave the Illinois Bar Journal an “exit interview,” during which she reflected on resiliency and growth, the nature of change, and the importance of seeking feedback from all quarters of Illinois to better confront its diverse justice-related challenges.

The interview, conducted via email, is presented below.

IBJ: What are some of the unexpected ways the court and legal profession in Illinois have changed during the past three years? This may be for COVID-19-related reasons, changes in society, etc.

Chief Justice Burke: In a way, I don’t believe that the changes to our court and legal profession that have occurred over the past three years were truly unexpected. Although the pandemic may have accelerated the process of change, it should always be expected that we will face new challenges, that we must adapt and evolve, and that progress will take place.

Years ago, when I worked for the Chicago Park District, I had the idea of holding a city-wide sports competition for children and young adults with learning differences. I met with Eunice Kennedy Shriver to seek funding from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. Mrs. Shriver looked at my initial proposal and declared it “unacceptable” because it didn’t go far enough.

That notion—that a good idea may be “unacceptable” because it needs to be expanded to do more, to help more, and to reach more—has been a motivating force throughout my life. It is inevitable that our legal profession and our court system will become “unacceptable” with the passage of time. If we expect that, we will always be prepared to find ways to make our courts better.

IBJ: Please share any wisdom as to when a justice knows it is time to retire. When and how did you decide it is time to step down?

Chief Justice Burke: Some time ago, I was talking to my good friend and colleague, retired [Illinois Appellate Court] Justice Warren Wolfson, and he gave me this sage advice: “If you have to ask the question, you already know the answer.” When I began thinking about retirement and asked myself whether it was time to step down from the bench, I realized I already had my answer. By asking myself the question, I knew the time was right to take that step.

IBJ: After 16 years on the Illinois Supreme Court, please share how the Anne M. Burke who is leaving the Court is the same or different than the Anne M. Burke who joined it?

Chief Justice Burke: Perhaps this is a question for someone else to answer. Personally, however, I don’t believe I have changed. Since I was a child, it has always been my nature to challenge the status quo, to question how and why things are done, and then take action to address whatever situation presents itself. That has not changed in the 16 years that I have served on the Illinois Supreme Court.

IBJ: The ISBA is extremely proud of the Listening Tour it sponsored, and of your participation in it. If you believe future chief justices should hold similar events, what advice would you have for them, for participants, and for how the tour should be structured? How did you personally and professionally benefit from the Tour?

Chief Justice Burke: Yes, I absolutely believe that future chief justices should hold similar events. These events need not be as formal as a statewide Listening Tour. Town Hall meetings and informal gatherings—both remotely and personally—are great ways for our Supreme Court justices to gain a grassroots-understanding of how our court system is functioning.

It is extremely important that our court leadership engage in the conscious act of listening at all times. It is only by listening to all our court partners—the judges, court staff, practicing attorneys, state’s attorneys, public defenders, county sheriffs, probation officers, service agencies, and the public—that our court leaders can learn about issues and concerns and develop a better picture of the general health of our court system.

For me, the Listening Tour provided insight into how our court system was working, or wasn’t working, particularly during the most difficult times brought about by the pandemic. Illinois is large in expanse and diverse in its make-up. It is composed of urban areas, suburban areas, and some very rural areas. Through the Listening Tour, we learned about gaps in services and were able to correct those gaps so that all citizens of Illinois might enjoy greater access to justice, equally and more uniformly.

IBJ: What would you like people to consider as your legacy as a Supreme Court justice?

Chief Justice Burke: That I always tried my hardest to do my very best in every undertaking the Illinois Supreme Court addressed.

IBJ: Finally, please share any retirement plans you have. Do you plan on remaining in Chicago and devoting your time to any special projects?

Chief Justice Burke: Yes, Chicago has always been my home and I plan on remaining here, where I have many friends and can devote more time to family. As far as retirement plans are concerned—in the 50 plus years my husband and I have been married, our motto has always been: “For better, for worse, but not for lunch.”

Life was just too busy for us both. Now I need to learn how to be there “for lunch” so our marriage will last another 50 years.

[Editor’s note: See page 14 of this issue for the Illinois Bar Journal’s interview with Illinois Supreme Court appointee Joy V. Cunningham.]

Pete Sherman is managing editor of the Illinois Bar Journal.
psherman@isba.org