Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke has served on the 1st District Appellate Court since March of 2016.  Justice Burke previously served in the Circuit Court of Cook County in Law Division, overseeing complex commercial litigation matters.  Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Burke was a Cook County State's Attorney and a criminal defense attorney. 

Justice Burke has been a Judicial Education Conference faculty member teaching DUI Nuts and Bolts, Advanced DUI Sentencing, Civil Law Boot Camp, Judicial Discretion and Decision Making. Justice Burke has taught every new judge in Illinois Civil Procedure since 2013.   Justice Burke was a contributing author of the Commercial Law Bench Book and the DUI Bench Book.

Justice Burke has served on the In-Schools program committee since joining the bench and has presented to thousands of students throughout Illinois.  Justice Burke created the newest IJA In-Schools program, YOUR FUTURE-YOUR CHOICE with Justice Mary Mikva, Judge Clare McWilliams, Judge Jim Snyder and Judge Len Murray. 

Shortly after graduation from Chicago Kent, Justice Burke married her law school classmate John (JD) Burke, a partner at Ice Miller, LLC.   They have four children, none of whom want to be a lawyer.