Springfield, IL (WAND) – Justice Sanjay T. Tailor was sworn in as the newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday.

Justice Tailor is a 23-year veteran trial and appellate court judge, and the first Asian American to sit on the Illinois Supreme Court.

He is taking over for Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, who announced her retirement earlier this month.

“I am honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by the justices of the Illinois Supreme Court,” Justice Tailor said. “I look forward to continuing the work of the court to ensure that our system of justice serves all people fairly and equitably.”

Justice Tailor has served as a judge since 2003. In 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court assigned him to serve as a justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District.

As an appellate court justice, he also served as the presiding judge of the Sixth Division of the First District Appellate Court and on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Division of the court.

He previously served as an associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County between 2003 and 2021, where he was assigned to the traffic municipal, domestic relations, law, and chancery divisions.

Justice Tailor’s term will last through December 4, 2028.