WHAT: Memorial Service honoring the late Justices Mary Ann G. McMorrow
and John L. Nickels
WHEN: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Supreme Court Courtroom, Michael A. Bilandic Building, Chicago

The Illinois Supreme Court will hold a memorial service in honor of the late Justices Mary Ann G. McMorrow and John L. Nickels. Chief Justice Rita B. Garman will give the opening and closing remarks. Tributes will be given by Supreme Court Justices Charles E. Freeman and Robert R. Thomas; Retired Supreme Court Justice Benjamin K. Miller; Cook County Associate Judge Thomas More Donnelly; Mary Ann McMorrow Jr., daughter of Justice McMorrow; Margaret Mangers, daughter of Justice Nickels; and Paula H. Holderman, president of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Justice McMorrow was born in Chicago and was a lifelong resident of the North Side. She received her juris doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1953 and was the only woman in her graduating class. After working in private practice and as a Cook County assistant state's attorney, Justice McMorrow was elected a Cook County Circuit Judge in 1976. In 1985, Justice McMorrow was assigned to the Illinois Appellate Court in the First Judicial District. She was elected to that position the following year. Justice McMorrow became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court when she was elected in 1992. She became the state's first woman Chief Justice when she was unanimously elected by her colleagues in September 2002 and became the first woman to head any branch of government in Illinois. She served as Chief Justice until 2005 and continued to serve on the Supreme Court until her retirement in July 2006.

Justice Nickels was born in Aurora and was raised on a farm in Kane County. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he received his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and his juris doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1961. He was engaged in the private practice of law for more than 20 years in Geneva and Elburn.

In 1982, Justice Nickels was elected Circuit Judge for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. Eight years later, he was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Second Judicial District. Justice Nickels was elected to the Supreme Court in 1992. He served on the Court until his retirement in December 1998.