Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The next Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court will be only the second Black Chief Justice in the state’s history.

The Illinois Supreme Court says it’s selected Justice Scott Neville, Jr., in the role, replacing the current Chief Justice, Mary Jane Thies.  Like Thies, Neville will serve a three year term.  His will start on October 26.

Neville, according to a news release, is described as a “lifelong champion for equal justice” — starting as the first Black law clerk for a Cook County Appellate Justice, becoming one himself in 2004.  He became an Illinois Supreme Court Justice in 2018, appointed to fill a vacancy left by Justice Charles Freeman, who was the first Black Chief Justice.

Neville says in the news release public trust in the courts “requires justice that is accessible, procedures that are understandable, and support services that meet the needs of litigants.”

Neville lives in Chicago with his wife and two adult stepdaughters.

(This story has been corrected to fix errors in identification. Capitol City Now regrets the errors.)