CBA Record May-June 2020

Remembering Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman

By Terrence M. Murphy

Illinois lost a legal giant with the passing of Justice Charles Freeman onMarch 2, 2020. His legal career, which spanned more than 56 years, is a legacy of public service to the people of Illinois. Born in Richmond, VA in 1933, Justice Freeman received a BA from Virginia Union University and his JD fromThe John Marshall Law School in 1962. His life-long college friend Douglas Wilder later became Governor of Virginia. Following his admission to the Illinois Bar, he served as an assistant Illinois Attor- ney General; an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney; and as an attorney for the Board of Election Commissioners. In 1965, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner appointed him to serve as an arbitrator for the Illinois Industrial Commission. During his eight years as an arbitrator, Justice Free- man handled a prodigious volume of claims and wrote more than 2,000 decisions on work-related injury cases. In 1973, Illinois Governor Dan Walker nominated him, and he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, to serve as a commissioner for the Illinois Commerce Commission. From 1962 until his election to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1976, he was engaged in the general practice of law and shared office space with his good friend Harold Washington, who later became Chicago’s first African American mayor. Justice Freeman swore in Harold Washington as mayor of Chicago in 1982 and again upon his re-election to a second mayoral term in 1987. In 1986 Judge Free- man was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court, First District. During his service there, he was highly regarded by judges and lawyers for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, and outstanding demeanor and temperament. He was courteous and kind

Justice Freeman pictured at the 2009 CBA Interfaith Dinner with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Chief Circuit Court Judge Timothy C. Evans.

to all who appeared before him, and he was always prepared. In 1990, Justice Freeman became the first African American in the state’s history to be elected to the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Freeman wrote the majority opinion in the case of Rolando Cruz, who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Jeanine Nicarico. He served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1997-2000. As Chief Justice, he instituted a number of administrative reforms and effectively addressed several important issues, includ- ing prosecutorial misconduct. He initiated a judicial mentoring program for Illinois judges and felt strongly that public servants needed to adhere to the highest ethical standards. Diversified Bench When asked about the significance of becoming the first Black Chief Justice, he said, “it would not influence his assessment of the law.” He went on to say, “I am an African American who now has become Chief Justice. I have no different percep- tion on what course I would take because

of my heritage.” Justice Freeman did more than any other judge in Illinois history to diversify the bench. He nominated more than 36 African American lawyers for appointment or assignment to the Cook County Circuit Court and the First District, Illinois Appel- late Court. He also appointed over nine Jewish judges to the bench. We owe him a great debt of thanks for these appoint- ments, as they have reshaped the Court to be more inclusive and reflective of Illinois population. Justice Freeman loved boating and had a wonderful appreciation for the arts. He and his wife, Marylee, enjoyed the beauty and peaceful quietude of drifting back into the harbor from many cruises on our beautiful Lake Michigan. They enjoyed vacationing in Acapulco, Mexico, and were the proud parents of their son Kevin and two grand- children. Justice Freeman was a kind and courteous man who had an inner strength and vision that served as his North Star throughout his distinguished career. He was a true and devoted public servant, and all of us are better because of him.

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18 May/June 2020