List of Clerks of the Supreme Court of Illinois

The clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois is an appointed office that was formerly an elected position. From 1848–1902, the court had three clerks elected from three districts. From 1902–1975, the state had a single clerk that was elected at-large. The position has been appointed since 1975.

Before 1848

Prior to 1848, the clerk was appointed by the court. Among those who served during this period was Joseph Philips, who served from 1818 until resigning in 1822.

1848–1872: clerks elected from three divisions)

From 1848–1897, three Clerks were elected from each of the three "grand divisions" of the state. Under the Constitution of 1848, these divisions were titled the First Grand Division, Second Grand Division, and Third Grand Division.

First Grand Division

Second Grand Division

Third Grand Division

1872–1902: clerks elected from three divisions (under 1870 Constitution)

From the ratification of the of the 1870 Constitution until a law change in 1897, clerks were elected from three grand divisions titled the Central Grand Division, Northern Grand Division, and Southern Grand Division.

Central Grand Division

Northern Grand Division

Southern Grand Division

1903–1975: elected clerk (post-reform, under 1870 Constitution)

A 1897 state act consolidated the role of clerk into a single position elected at-large.

1975-present: appointed clerk (under 1970 Constitution)

Under the reforms imposed by the ratification of the 1970 Constitution, the clerk became an appointed office in 1975.

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