Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, becoming the second Black Chief Justice in the state’s history and the 123rd overall. He succeeds Justice Mary Jane Theis and will serve a three-year term.
Chief Justice Neville was officially sworn in on Friday, marking a significant milestone for Illinois’ judiciary. In his remarks, he underscored his commitment to fairness, accessibility, and transparency in the state’s court system.
Justice Neville brings a distinguished legal background to his new role. He began his career as a civil rights attorney and made history as the first Black law clerk for a Cook County Appellate Justice. Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court in 2018, Neville has served in various judicial capacities since 1999.
Chief Justice Neville holds a Bachelor of Arts from Culver-Stockton College and a Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law. As he begins his three-year term, he aims to lead Illinois courts to be a national example of equitable and approachable justice for all residents.