University News

Proud WIU Alumna & Supreme Court Justice Receives Champion Award

August 10, 2023

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University alumna and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien has been honored as a Champion of the Illinois Bar Foundation.

"Meaningful access to justice requires finding attorneys to represent people with limited means in order to protect their rights," O'Brien said. "The Illinois Bar Foundation helps support the efforts of legal aid clinics across Illinois with financial support, so the attorneys can represent clients who would otherwise have to navigate the legal system alone. In this way, the Illinois Bar Foundation helps to level the playing field for thousands of litigants every year."

The Champions of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) is a distinguished group of attorneys and non-attorney foundation supporters who believe strongly in the value of justice and philanthropy.

O'Brien received her bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Public Administration from WIU in 1986. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois. O'Brien started her legal career at the Grundy County State's Attorney's Office before moving to private practice. In 1996, she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives where she chaired the Judiciary II Criminal Law Committee and advocated for victims of sexual and domestic violence. She was appointed to the Appellate Court in 2003, was elected in 2004 and retained in 2014.

O'Brien has received numerous awards, including the Star Award from the Kankakee Society of Women in the Law, the Zonta Club International Woman of the Year Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from WIU. She has been an elected member of the Illinois Supreme Court since 2022.

When asked what was one piece of advice she would give a WIU student wanting to follow in her footsteps, she replied by acknowledging fear as new opportunities.

"Don't ever be afraid to try something new," said O'Brien. "There are very few guarantees in life, but one thing is certain, you will never succeed at the things you don't do, and there is always a possibility of success if you try."

O'Brien was presented with the Champion honor at a reception held on May 24 at the Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station.

For more information on WIU's Political Science major, visit wiu.edu/politicalscience.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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