Illinois Supreme Court to expand its program of diversity and inclusion

Posted on June 23, 2020
A new “Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer” will be charged with adding those elements to Illinois’ court system. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Help wanted ! Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the state’s court system. 

The chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Anne Burke, is asked how blacks’ traditional distrust of police and the justice system came to be.

“There’s all kinds of reasons why things come to be,” said Burke, “but isn’t it a good thing that we are at a point in time that both kinds of things that have happened -individual racism or institutional racism or are coming forward so we can stop and listen to each other and try to do something about it.”

Burke said one form of this is already being done: a bond court reform study included a former inmate helping recommend what needs to be done.

The Supreme Court, which oversees all courts in Illinois, is just now posting the diversity and inclusion position.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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