Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Kilbride Successor

The Supreme Court of Illinois chamber in Springfield.

The Supreme Court of Illinois chamber in Springfield.

Republicans hoping the defeat of Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride’s retention on the Supreme Court of Illinois would cause deadlock and gridlock for the next two years were disappointed Tuesday as the court appointed Kilbride’s successor.

The court announced Tuesday it would appoint Appellate Judge Robert Carter of Ottawa to fill Kilbride’s seat until an election in 2022.

Carter, 74, has served on the appeals court since 2006. His appointment is through December of 2022, and no mention has been made of his running for a full ten-year term on the court, though, considering his age, it appears unlikely.

Whoever the nominees are for each party in 2022, the race promises to be expensive and divisive.

NewsPatrick Pfingsten