The state’s first all-female majority since 1918. Three Black justices. Two men. One downstate Republican. That’s a simple summary of the makeup of the Illinois Supreme Court, which began its 2023 term January 10.

‍Yet, the depth of the state’s highest bench is far deeper than the above broad-brush descriptions convey. The court’s new chief justice is a former public defender and longtime law school professor passionate about the law’s methodical approach to solving complicated problems. One of the state’s first female Black justices worked as a nurse as she was studying to become a lawyer. Others taught English, and served multiple terms in the Illinois House of Representatives. One remains a Church of Christ Deacon.

As the state Supreme Court begins its 2023 term concurrently as the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision on reproductive rights, here are a few things to know about the court’s fascinating makeup at one of the most fascinating times in history:

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‍Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis‍

‍District: One of three justices presiding over the First District, located in Chicago and encompassing Cook County

‍Age: 73

‍Hometown: Chicago

‍Political Leaning: Democratic

‍Alma Mater: B.A., Loyola University Chicago, J.D., University of San Francisco

‍Background: Assistant Public Defender, former law professor at Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University and John Marshall Law School.

‍First year on the bench: 1983

‍Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2010Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2012

‍Key quote: "To say I was the only woman in the room is absolutely true for a very long time in my career, even when I went on the bench. There were very, very few women. But there were some. And as we moved along, there were many more behind me." – Capitol News Illinois, December 2022

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‍Elizabeth Rochford‍

‍District: Second District, encompassing McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall counties

‍Age: 61

‍Hometown: Lake Forest

‍Political Leaning: Democratic

‍Alma Mater: B.A., Loyola University Chicago, J.D., Loyola University Chicago

‍Background: Rochford is a former English teacher who later served as a clerk for law firm Corboy and Demetrio, a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney, and an Illinois Court of Claims commissioner.

‍First year on the bench: 2012

‍Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2022

‍Key quote: "I will tell you that after 10 years on the bench, when you put the black robe on, all of your personal opinions, and you know, predispositions, are at the door, and you really are addressing the facts as they are before you, and applying the rule of law." – Capitol News Illinois, October 17, 2022

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‍Mary K. O’Brien‍

‍District: Third District, encompassing DuPage, Will, Kankakee, LaSalle, Iroquois, Grundy, and Bureau counties

‍Age: 57

‍Hometown: Reddick

‍Political Leaning: Democratic

‍Alma Mater: B.A., Western Illinois University, J.D., University of Illinois College of Law

‍Background: Worked in the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s office before entering private practice. From 1997 to 2003, O’Brien served in the Illinois House of Representatives, where she chaired its Judiciary Law Committee.

‍First year on the bench: 2004

‍Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2022

‍Key quote: "Sometimes being a judge can be very isolating in that you start to not have the experiences that other people do when they are viewing the court system [like] the stumbling blocks for them to navigate the legal system.” – Law 360, June 2022

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‍Lisa Holder White‍

‍District: Fourth District, encompassing large swaths of Central and Northeastern Illinois

‍Age: 54

‍Hometown: Decatur

‍Political Leaning: Republican

‍Alma Mater: B.A., Lewis University, J.D., University of Illinois College of Law

‍Background: Former Macon County Assistant State’s Attorney, Assistant Public Defender for Macon County. The first Black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court since Illinois’ incorporation in 1818.

‍First year on the bench: 2001

‍Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2022

‍Key quote: "My heritage is a heritage that once involved minds and bodies that were shackled, and doors that were so, so long closed. Taking my oath in this place today recognizes the undeniable value and merit of what I as a Black woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife, and jurist have to contribute to the work of our state's highest court. It is proof positive of the progress of this great nation and our great state. It is a testimony to the notion that as women and people of color we need not limit our dreams or settle for less." – Chicago Sun-Times, July 2022

‍P. Scott Neville‍

‍District: Second of three justices presiding over the First District in Cook County

‍Age: 73

‍Hometown: Chicago

‍Political Leaning: Democratic

‍Alma Mater: B.A., Culver-Stockton College, J.D., Washington University School of Law

‍Background: Law clerk to Appellate Court Justice Glenn T. Johnson. Of Counsel at Howard, Mann & Slaughter. Principal with the law firm of Neville & Ward. In 1981, he established P. Scott Neville, Jr. & Associates, which merged with Howse, Howse, Neville & Gray in 1990.

‍First year on the bench: 1999

‍Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2018

‍Key quote: “Our Supreme Court should look like all of us.” – 2020 campaign commercial‍

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‍Joy Cunningham‍

‍District: Third of three justices presiding over the First District in Cook County

‍Age: 70-71

‍Hometown: New York, New York

‍Political Leaning: Democratic

‍Alma Mater: B.S., City University of New York, J.D., John Marshall Law School

‍Background: Assistant Illinois Attorney General, Associate General Counsel for Loyola University of Chicago and Loyola University Health System, and as a litigator with the law firm of French, Rogers, Kezelis & Kominiarek. She also served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General and as a Judicial Clerk to Illinois Appellate Justice Glenn Johnson. First Black Woman President of the Chicago Bar Association. General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Northwestern Memorial System.

‍First year on the bench: 1996

‍Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2022

‍Key quote: "Maintaining judicial independence is the bedrock of democracy because you have to make decisions based on the rule of law, what is fair and not what is popular or because you are worried about your political future." – ABC7 December 2022 article‍

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‍David Overstreet‍

‍District: Fifth Judicial District, encompassing Southern Illinois

‍Age: 57

‍Hometown: Mount Vernon

‍Political Leaning: Republican

‍Alma Mater: B.S., Lipscomb University, J.D., University of Tennessee

‍Background: Practiced law with Miller, Tracy, Braun & Wilson, Ltd of Monticello, Illinois, with the Law Office of Peter G. Angelos of Knoxville, Tennessee, from 1992 to 1995, and with Mitchell, Neubauer, Shaw & Hanson, P.C., Neubauer, Hanson & Overstreet, P.C., and Neubauer & Overstreet, P.C. of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, until his appointment to the Second Judicial Circuit Court. Deacon at the Mt. Vernon Church of Christ.

‍First year on the bench: 2007.

‍Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court: 2020

‍Key quote: "I thank God for this opportunity, for being with me throughout my life. I'm going to work tirelessly to improve the judiciary and the legal system for all the citizens. I'm going to remember that I am a public servant. I'm going to treat people right. …I will give my all for Illinois today, and every day, I have the privilege of serving as your Illinois Supreme Court justice." – Journal Gazette-Times Courier, December 2020