History in the Making: Illinois Supreme Court Welcomes Its First Asian American Justice

Eunice Caluya

Jan 29, 2026

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History in the Making: Illinois Supreme Court Welcomes Its First Asian American Justice

It is not every day you get to witness history unfolding in real time, but the Illinois Supreme Court is doing exactly that. Come January 30, 2026, the state’s highest court will look a little different. First District Appellate Justice Sanjay Tailor is set to take the bench, filling the seat of retiring Justice Mary Jane Theis and officially becoming the first Asian American justice in the court’s history. This is not just a standard personnel change; it is a massive milestone for representation in the state judiciary.

Of course, new beginnings mean saying goodbye to long-standing giants. Justice Theis is stepping down after a powerhouse career that started on the bench in 1983 and included a recent tenure as Chief Justice. Leaving at 76, she leaves behind some serious shoes to fill. In her farewell, she reflected on her work with gratitude and reminded us that "courts are not a place, they are a service" meant to help real people with real problems. That is the kind of grounded philosophy that sets the bar high for anyone following in her footsteps.

Justice Sanjay Tailor
Photo Courtesy of Supreme Court of Illinois Facebook Page

Fortunately, the man stepping up brings a resume that speaks for itself. Justice Tailor is not just filling a seat; he is bringing decades of hands-on experience that reads like a masterclass in Illinois law. His career is defined by a deep commitment to public service that kicked off after he earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago. He spent nearly seven years in the trenches with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office handling complex civil rights litigation before putting on the robe himself. Since his first judicial appointment in 2003, he has presided over everything from Chancery to Domestic Relations, eventually landing as a Presiding Justice on the First District Appellate Court. Basically, he has earned his stripes.

For those wondering about the logistics, the transition will be seamless. Justice Tailor takes the oath immediately after Justice Theis retires. He will serve an interim term through December 4, 2028, and will need to run in the general election to keep the seat after that.

As the court gears up for this shift, it is offering both continuity and a fresh, historic perspective to ensure they keep serving the people of Illinois "fairly and equitably."

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