Career
He was elected to his position on the court on November 6, 1990, becoming its first African-American justice. He served as chief justice from May 12, 1997 to January 1, 2000. Illinois governor Otto Kerner appointed Freeman to the Illinois Industrial Commission in January, 1965 as an arbitrator, where he heard thousands of work-related injury cases.
In September, 1973 governor Dan Walker named Freeman to the Illinois Commerce Commission, a rate regulatory agency with power over telephone, electricity and gas companies.
He worked on the commission until December, 1976. Freeman also conducted a general law practice from 1962 to 1976, when he was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court.
While on the court he has shown particular interest in administrative reform and prosecutorial misconduct cases.
