drew on his own personal struggles and those of African Americans, and his tireless advocacy on behalf of those less able to speak for themselves, he was regarded by many in Illinois and particularly the African-American community, as a political and legal icon, and held as a role model by both blacks and whites who came behind him. References External links More detailed article. Illinois lawyers Lawyers from Chicago African-American lawyers African-American people in Illinois politics African-American judges Activists for African-American civil rights 1925 births 2008 deaths 20th-century American judges Tennessee State University alumni Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law alumni Judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people