Chicagoan, Ill. Supreme Court Justics Burke Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree

AURORA, Ill, May 22, 2007-In recognition of her dedication and commitment to improving the lives of children throughout Illinois, and her tireless efforts as their advocate and as an advocate for justice for all the people of Illinois, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke of Chicago was awarded an honorary Aurora University Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at 114th annual commencement exercises on May 5 at Aurora University. 

AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick conferred Burke’s degree. Her citation was presented by Ronald Kinnamon, a member of the AU Board of Trustees and a 1960 George Williams College graduate.

He said, “At commencement, we honor individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on society as a way of affirming the values that Aurora University holds in highest regard. Today, we honor an esteemed member of the Illinois Supreme Court, the Honorable Justice Anne Burke, for her dedicated service and commitment to improving the lives of children and persons with disabilities in Illinois.

“Throughout her career, Anne’s commitment to children has been the cornerstone of her work. Her career in public service includes an extraordinary commitment to ensure that children and persons with disabilities receive fair and equitable treatment.”

Justice Burke received her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 1976 and received her juris doctorate degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1983. She then opened a neighborhood practice that focused on child advocacy issues and was admitted to the Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois.

Two years later, she was admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and in 1987 she was certified for the Trial Bar of the Federal District Court. That same year, former Governor Jim Thompson named her the first woman to serve on the Illinois Court of Claims. In 1991, she was re-appointed to the position by Governor Jim Edgar.

In 1995, she was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court First District and elected to the post the following year where she served until 2006 when she was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court for the 1st District.

A lifelong advocate for children, Justice Burke began her career as a physical education teacher working with children with mental disabilities through the Chicago Park District. In 1968, she helped to establish the Chicago Special Olympics and later went on to serve as an early director of the organization that grew into the International Special Olympics. She has written and lectured extensively on the subjects of children, the disabled and ethical leadership.

Justice Burke has often been called upon to improve the Illinois juvenile justice system. She was appointed by Governor Edgar as Special Counsel for Child Welfare Services and as a member of his legislative committee on juvenile justice.

As Special Counsel, she helped reform the Cook County juvenile justice system, improving child protective services by establishing greater coordination and cooperation among the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, law enforcement agencies and other governmental bodies charged with protecting children.

After she was appointed to this position in 1994, she became interested in the foster parenting program. In 1995, she and her husband, Chicago Alderman Edward Burke, became short-term emergency caregivers to substance-affected children. Their commitment to the welfare of children extends into their home life as well as they are licensed and active foster parents.

Her reputation for both child advocacy and fairness having been thus established, Justice Burke became the first woman to head the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Review Board in 2003 when she was appointed interim chair. She served in that role for more than two years during the investigation of the clergy abuse scandal, and she helped to establish guidelines and policies to respond to the issue.

Throughout her career, she has volunteered her time and energy to numerous civic, educational and cultural causes. Justice Burke served as president of Special Children’s Charities and Caritas and has served on the boards of many prominent organizations including Loyola University, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Catholic Charities of Chicago, the Chicago Lung Association, River North Dance Company, St. Xavier University and St. Rose School for the Mentally Disabled.

In addition, she has served on the boards of DePaul University, the Chicago Bar Association, the Ruth Page Foundation and The Hundred Club of Cook County, among others.

In 2006, Justice Burke received the Chicago Bar Association’s highest honor, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award. The honor is awarded to those who “exemplify the highest personal integrity and devotion to public service.” She has received numerous awards and honors for her work including the Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Legal Clinic’s Cardinal Bernadin Award, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago’s Lawyer of the Year and the Federal Bar Association’s Katherine Smith Matkov Award, among others.

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