Charles E. Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles E. Freeman
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| Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court | |
| In office November 6, 1990 – June 14, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Daniel P. Ward |
| Succeeded by | P. Scott Neville Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 12, 1933 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 2020 (aged 86) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Virginia Union University (BA) John Marshall Law School (JD) |
Charles E. Freeman (born December 12, 1933 – died March 2, 2020) was an important American lawyer and judge. He served as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. He was elected to this high position on November 6, 1990. This made him the very first African-American justice on that court. He even served as the chief justice for a time, from May 1997 to January 2000. Justice Freeman retired from the court on June 14, 2018.
Early Life and Education
Charles E. Freeman was born in Richmond, Virginia. He went to Virginia Union University and earned his college degree in 1954. Later, he studied law at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He received his law degree in 1962.
His Career as a Judge
In January 1965, the Illinois Governor, Otto Kerner, chose Freeman to work for the Illinois Industrial Commission. Here, he worked as an arbitrator. This meant he helped solve disagreements about work-related injuries. He heard thousands of these cases.
Later, in September 1973, Governor Dan Walker appointed Freeman to the Illinois Commerce Commission. This group helps set prices for things like telephone, electricity, and gas services. Freeman worked there until December 1976.
Before becoming a judge, Freeman also had his own law practice from 1962 to 1976. He helped many people with their legal needs. In 1976, he was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court. He served on this court for ten years. During this time, he had the honor of swearing in his friend, Harold Washington, as the Mayor of Chicago.
Throughout his career, Freeman was part of many groups for lawyers and judges. He also received several awards for his work. From 2002 until he retired in 2018, he was the longest-serving member of the Illinois Supreme Court. While on the court, he was very interested in making the court system work better. He also paid special attention to cases where government lawyers might have acted unfairly.
Personal Life
Charles E. Freeman was married to his wife, Marylee, until she passed away in 2013. They had one son, who also became a lawyer, and two grandchildren. Charles E. Freeman died in Chicago on March 2, 2020. He was 86 years old.
See also
