Illinois Supreme Court Justice Theis to Retire in January 2026

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Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis is set to retire on January 29, 2026. The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that Sanjay Tailor will be appointed as her interim replacement. Tailor currently serves as an At-Large Judge on the Cook Judicial Circuit Court and has previously worked as an Assistant State's Attorney and an Associate at a private law firm.

Why it matters

The retirement of Justice Theis will create a vacancy on the Illinois Supreme Court, which is the state's highest court. The appointment of Tailor as the interim justice will be an important step in the process to fill this vacancy, as the court is responsible for appointing an interim justice when a midterm vacancy occurs.

The details

Under Illinois law, if a justice is appointed more than 60 days before the next primary election, they must run in a partisan election in the next general or judicial election to remain on the court. Tailor's term will end on the first Monday in December after the election. If he is appointed less than 60 days before the next primary, he will have to run in a partisan election to remain on the court in the second general election, with his term also ending on the first Monday in December after that election.

• Justice Theis announced her retirement on January 12, 2026.
• Justice Theis' retirement will be effective on January 29, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Tailor will have to run in a partisan election to remain on the Illinois Supreme Court, with the timing of the election depending on when he was appointed relative to the next primary election.