Justice Anne M. Burke
Highly regarded as an advocate and judge, Justice Anne M. Burke has served on the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, since 1995.
Justice Burke was first appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1995 and then was elected to the Appellate Court in 1996. She began her judicial career in 1987 when Governor Jim Thompson and then Governor Jim Edgar named her as the first woman to serve on the Illinois Court of Claims.
Before her appointment to the judiciary, Justice Burke was a leading advocate for our community's most vulnerable citizens. One of her first efforts to assist children was at the Chicago Park District where she taught physical education to mentally retarded children. In 1968, she founded the Chicago Special Olympics. She served as an early director of the organization that grew into the preeminent international Special Olympics.
Following her graduation from law school, she opened a neighborhood practice. She maintained a very diverse law practice in addition to representing the interests of children in matters of abuse, neglect, delinquency and parental custody.
Justice Burke has often been called upon to improve Illinois's juvenile justice system. She was appointed by Governor Edgar as Special Counsel for Child Welfare Services and a member of his Legislative Committee on Juvenile Justice. As Special Counsel, Burke 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.
She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on its Special Commission on the Administration of Justice and the Board of Admissions to the Bar. She currently serves on the boards of DePaul University, Chicago Bar Association, Ruth Page Foundation and The Hundred Club of Cook County.
Throughout her career, Justice Burke has volunteered her time and energy to numerous civic, education and cultural causes. She served as president of Special Children's Charities and Caritas and has served on the boards of many prominent organizations, including Loyola University, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Catholic Charities of Chicago, St. Xavier University, Chicago Lung Association, River North Dance Company, Lincoln Park Zoological Society and St. Rose School for the Mentally Disabled.
Justice Burke has been recognized with awards for her achievements, including Chicago-Kent College of Law's Distinguished Service Award, an honorary doctorate from St. Ambrose University, Chicago Legal Clinic's Cardinal Bernadin Award, Vision Networks Service Award, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago's Lawyer of the Year and Federal Bar Association's Katherine Smith Matkov Award. She has also been honored by the Women's Bar Association, Maria High School, American Jewish Committee, St. Peter's Friar's Association, Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, Lutheran Social Services, Methodist Youth Services and the Chicago Park District.
She has been listed in Crain's Who's Who in Chicago Business and 100 Most Influential Women. She also was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and Maria High School Hall of Fame.
Justice Burke is a member of the Illinois Judges Association, American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Inn of the American Inns of Court, Seventh Circuit Bar Association, Women's Bar Association of Illinois, National Association of Women Lawyers, National Association of Women Judges, Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, American Judicature Society and The Chicago Network.
Justice Burke has written and lectured extensively on the subjects of children, the disabled and ethical leadership.
Justice Burke grew up on Chicago's South Side, graduating from Maria High School. While raising her children, she returned to school and received a Bachelor's degree in Education from DePaul University in 1976 and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1983.
She is married to Edward M. Burke, alderman for Chicago's 14th Ward, Dean of the Chicago City Council and Chairman of the Committee on Finance. The Burkes have four children - Jennifer, Edward Jr., Emmett and Sarah - and one grandchild, Kelley Anne. They are also licensed and active foster parents.