[What follows is a transcript of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann
McMorrow's luncheon address at the IJA Convention, Friday,  December 12,
1997.]

     It is good to be here. It is good for the IJA to join with the
Illinois State Bar Association to discuss problems common to both
organizations. It is especially good for us to be here to celebrate an
Illinois Judges Association year of remarkable achievement.  The
Illinois Judges Association has thrived under the leadership of
Judge Schwartz.  You may be assured of a memorable and
ambitious 1998 under the leadership of Justice Mary Jane Theis.
She was my nominee to the appellate court, and I am so proud of
her.

     It is good for us to be here to ponder the important work
facing the judiciary as we approach the millennium.  We must
recognize that the practice of law and what is expected of the
court system have substantially and significantly changed over the
past decade.  Advances in technology, new and competing ethics
rules, civility or the lack thereof, are but a few of the areas which
come to mind in noting differences in the practice of law.

     An important component of many problems facing the
justice system is the public perception of the judiciary.  I therefore
commend you on the selection of the role of the judiciary in our
community as the theme for the IJA Convention and the theme for
the coming year.  You could not have chosen a more important or
timely topic.

     You will, I trust, pursue the feasibility of both an inward
approach (bringing community problems to the courthouse) and
also the outward approach (taking the justice system to the public,
educating the public on why we do what we do), viewing both
avenues in the context of the constraints imposed upon judges.  As
you pursue these avenues and solutions to community problems as
they affect our courts, you will assist in stemming the erosion in
reverence for the justice system that is pervasive in our society
today.  Although the number of judges is increasing--there are
now more judges in Illinois than ever before in history--our
individuality, our uniqueness, and our dedication to improving the
system must remain constant.  Each of us can individually
enhance the profession by what we say and how we say it.

     Your theme may be accurately described as educating the
public and educating the media. The role of the judiciary in the
community is a timely and much needed introspection to make.  I
look forward to hearing Bill Kurtis's  thoughts on this subject.
[Television producer Bill Kurtis was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.]

     Kathy Morris, in a recent article which appeared in the Law
Bulletin, wrote that:

     "Lawyers are analytical, cognitive and, some would say,
detached.  Too often, however, we forget to take a step back to
ponder our careers.  Aspirations are fine, but alone they're not
enough; good intentions are central, yet they, too, only get us so
far.

     "It is accountability that's the key - accountability not only
for our clients' cases and matters, but accountability to ourselves,
to taking a good look at our careers, our jobs, our day-to-day work
lives."

     I suggest that her observations regarding lawyers are
equally applicable to judges.

     For example, we should fully explain our decisions to the
litigants before us. (You will also be making a good record.)

     Wouldn't it help public perception of the justice system if
we explained that we don't make the laws.  Rather, we are duty-
bound to enforce laws, irrespective of whether we like them or
not.  We must set bond, except in limited circumstances.

     Each year for the past five years that I have been a member
of the Supreme Court of Illinois,  I have been asked to give the
welcoming speech to newly admitted attorneys in Cook County.  I
would like to share with you, because I believe it is appropriate on
this occasion, one of my thoughts at those admission ceremonies.

     Providing leadership and guidance to the host of religious,
charitable, cultural, educational, and community welfare
organizations existing in our modern society, being generous with
your financial resources and helping worthwhile people and
organizations, are excellent ways to respond to the blessings we
have been given.  Surely we will not be able to make all things
right, but we can help to do so in more cases than you can
imagine.  An attorney can be a powerful advocate for true justice.
Helping someone who can never pay us back is an opportunity
frequently presented to those of us who practice law.  May we not
miss too many of those opportunities.  We can be, we must be, a
pervasive influence for good in our society, as well as in our
profession.

     We can all, lawyers and judges alike, enrich the profession
by our attitudes and our kindness.

     It has been said that "There are some who lift the age they
inhabit until all walk on higher ground."  May we be among those
who lift during our time of service.

     On behalf of all the members of the Supreme Court, I
commend the IJA and the ISBA on their efforts.

     Happy holiday.

Return to the Top Page.