By: Leilani Ana-Maria Pino
In 1923, Mary Bartelme made history as the first woman judge in Illinois when she was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court. Now, 101 years later, more than 75% of the judicial candidates on the 2024 Cook County Judicial Election ballot are female. This remarkable shift reflects significant progress in achieving gender equality within the Illinois judiciary. The WBAI celebrates this milestone, particularly in a year when several of its active members were elected to the bench. Notably among them, the Honorable Corinne Cantwell Heggie, who served as the Association’s 103rd President from 2019-2020.
Corinne graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and DePaul University College of Law. After graduating from law school, she worked in Big Law, where she was eventually named a partner. Later she became an owner and practitioner at Heggie Wochner Law Firm LLC. In addition to being both a seasoned attorney and small business owner, Corinne dedicated years to serving on the WBAI Board, advancing its mission to protect and promote the interests and welfare of women lawyers. Her enduring support for her fellow bar associations and her many accomplishments were celebrated by multitudes in the legal community. In 2015, DePaul Magazine named her one of its “14 under 40,” and in 2017, Best Lawyers named Corinne a “Woman of Influence” nationally in the legal profession. In 2020, Chicago Lawyer Magazine and The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin recognized her as a member in their inaugural class of “Salute! Women in the Law,” an honor now awarded annually to 50 female attorneys for their work mentoring and promoting other women in the profession, their success in the legal community and being examples of leadership. After practicing law for over 20 years and being found qualified or highly qualified by every participating bar association, Corinne was appointed to fill an At-Large vacancy in 2023. She went on to win the countywide election in 2024.
In her WBAI leadership roles, Corinne chaired events and committees in service to the organization, and she continues to be a steadfast supporter. While the Association credits Judge Heggie for its many successes over the years, she, in turn, acknowledges that the WBAI played a pivotal role in her journey to the bench. As Judge Heggie reflects, “My involvement with the WBAI contributed to my journey to the bench in many ways. There is one contribution, however, to which my mind always returns. WBAI membership helped me build a community within the legal profession.” According to Judge Heggie, it was this community that grew and fostered her ability to develop business, meet clients, and create friendships. She also credits this community for assisting her judicial endeavors: “In 2023, this community was invaluable when I ran for a county-wide judicial vacancy and continues to enrich me today; a gift for which I am deeply grateful.”
The WBAI extends its appreciation to Judge Corinne C. Heggie for her invaluable contributions to the Association, which have had a broader impact than the organization, but to the Cook County legal community.
This article was originally published in the WBAI Winter 2025 Newsletter on page 16.