Prairie State Wire

State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride conceded on Tuesday, ending his 20-year stint on the court.

Kilbride, a Democrat, has been linked to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), by favoring Madigan and Democratic interests in the past, The Cook County Record reported. 

Kilbride needed 60% approval to retain his seat, but as of late Tuesday evening, he only had 55% of residents answering “yes” on whether or not to retain him in the Third Judicial District.

“Though votes continue to be counted, I am disappointed in the apparent outcome,” Kilbride said in a statement released late Tuesday, The Cook County Record reported. “I want to thank the voters of the Third Judicial District for twice placing their faith in me to uphold the sacred principles that guide our judicial system.”

Kilbride said in the statement that it had been an honor serving on the court and that he was proud of the legacy he was leaving behind, the news media reported. He said he left the court “more open, transparent and accessible to all, regardless of economic means.”

The justice has previously been labeled as a favorite of Madigan’s, with mention being made of Madigan’s financial backing to support Kilbride.

Opponents of the justice have also pointed to Kilbride’s decisions on the court, like blocking an effort to get a referendum on the ballot to allow voters to change how legislative boundary lines are drawn. Madigan and his allies did not want the referendum on the ballot and Kilbride blocked it.

Opponents also questioned Kilbride’s judicial independence, noting his favoring of Democratic interests.

It is unknown who the Supreme Court will choose to fill Kilbride’s seat until the next election, as the court will now be evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

Kilbride’s district includes parts of 18 counties in the state.