| Justice Charles E. Freeman Supreme Court of Illinois Justice Charles E. Freeman graduated from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. Received his Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School, 1962. He engaged in the general practice of law from 1962 to 1976, served as assistant attorney general, as assistant state’s attorney and attorney for the Board of Election Commissioners. He was appointed arbitrator with the Illinois Industrial Commission in 1965. Later, serving as a Commissioner on the Illinois Commerce Commission, appointed by the Governor. He was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court in 1976. While a Circuit Court Judge, Justice Freeman became the first African-American to swear in a Mayor of the City of Chicago – his good friend, Harold Washington. Elected to the Appellate Court in 1986, Justice Freeman earned an enviable record as one of the court’s most energetic and productive Justices, leading in case disposition by published opinion in both 1988 and 1989. He is a member of many bar associations and has received numerous awards. Justice Freeman was elected on November 6, 1990, as the first African-American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. On May 12, 1997 he was selected as Chief Justice for three years. With 556 published opinions and 138 dissents to date, Justice Freeman has authored the most opinions in the history of the Court. He and his wife, Commissioner Marylee Freeman (Illinois Human Rights Commission), have one son, Kevin, a partner in the firm of Drinker Biddle. |
