Charles Freeman

The Illinois Supreme Court’s only seat ever held by a person of color is up for grabs in the Democratic primary – with seven candidates vying for the job in a contest where race is certain to take center stage.

Voters in Cook County elect a new member to the Illinois Supreme Court next week. NBC 5’s Carol Marin has all the details.

Justice Charles E. Freeman, the first African American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, died on Monday, according to a statement from the state’s high court. He was 86.