Ill. Supreme Court Justice McMorrow dies

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CHICAGO, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow died following a short illness, her family said. She was 83.

McMorrow, the first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and its first female chief justice, died Saturday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

McMorrow served as chief justice from September 2002 to September 2005 and retired from Illinois' highest court in 2006.

"When I went to law school, women couldn't even dream of such a thing," McMorrow said in 2002 after she was voted into the court's highest position. "I hope this would forever indicate that there's nothing that limits women in any job or any profession."

McMorrow grew up on Chicago's Northwest Side and was one of three children, the Chicago Tribune reported.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann McMorrow, and her sister, Frances.

"We will fondly remember Justice McMorrow and always cherish the privilege of having worked with her," Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said in a statement. "Being the first woman on the court and to serve as chief justice, she was an inspiration to all women in the law in Illinois. But through her courage, perseverance, wisdom and character, she was a role model for all lawyers, regardless of gender."