By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – There’s a new chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, but don’t look for any major changes under Lloyd Karmeier’s term as the court’s top judge.
Unlike the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Illinois’ chief justice is more of a manager than a leader.
University of Illinois law professor J. Steven Beckett said Karmeier’s new role as chief justice won’t tip the balance of the court or determine which cases will be heard.
“Among the justices, when they meet, the chief justice is the head of the meeting,” Beckett said. “(Karmeier) will be the one to set the agenda, to run the meeting.”
Beckett said Karmeier also will become the face of the court.
Karmeier is best known for his expensive 2004 race for the Illinois Supreme Court, the most expensive judicial race in the country at the time, and for his roles in verdicts against people suing Philip Morris and State Farm.
Beckett said it’s “historically fair” to talk about both when talking about Karmeier’s legacy, but he doesn’t think Karmeier’s record shows any undue influence.
“I don’t think there’s a magic glass that we can look through and predict ‘Chief Justice Karmeier is this or that in the tort system.’ I just don’t think it’s fair to him,” Beckett said.
Karmeier replaces Rita Garman as chief justice.
