[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CAREER OF JUSTICE THOMAS KILBRIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2013

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Justice Thomas 
Kilbride, who just completed his term as Chief Justice of the Illinois 
Supreme Court on October 25th. Justice Kilbride received his law degree 
from Antioch School in Washington, DC, and practiced law for 20 years 
in the 17th District of Illinois before being elected to the Illinois 
Supreme Court in 2000. He graciously conducted a ceremonial swearing in 
for me in Rock Island after I took office in the U.S. House of 
Representatives in January.
   Justice Kilbride made a great impact on public access to the law 
during his term as Chief Justice. He promoted the increased use of 
technology in the court, spearheading efforts to put cameras in 
Illinois courtrooms and allowing electronic filing of many documents 
for the Supreme Court.
   Additionally, Justice Kilbride formed the Illinois Supreme Court 
Access to Justice Commission, as he explained, in order to ``make 
access to justice a high priority for everyone in the legal system.'' 
Among other accomplishments, the Commission has broadened the use of 
standardized legal forms in plain English to make it easier for people 
to navigate the law without needing to hire an attorney.
   Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Justice Kilbride for his friendship, 
his commendable work as Chief Justice and his dedication to making the 
law accessible to everyone in Illinois.

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