(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Leaders nationwide are mourning the loss of Supreme Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday night at her Washington home at the age of 87.
Illinois leaders are remembering the "Notorious RBG" as a fearless leader for equality and breaking down barriers, calling her an inspiration that influenced the country and its political system.
“When I learned of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I felt a profound and deep sadness,” Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said in a statement. “This feeling is not only for the grief that her loving family must bear, but because of the devastating loss to our nation, and to women everywhere.”
Stratton praised Ginsburg as a champion of women rights, calling the justice her role model that fought to end sexim.
“I am sorry to say that sexism is still prevalent in our society where women and men are not equally paid, and little girls are not always told to dream big,” she said. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg possessed a great legal mind and she used it to advocate for the rights of women and to be a voice for the underserved.”
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Senator Dick Durbin told WBBM that Ginsburg's death follows the death of Congressman John Lewis, another person who devoted his life to human rights.
Durbin added Ginsburg was a fierce fighter for the rights of women and called her a transformative figure.
“We have suffered two greatest losses in the last few weeks,” Durbin said.
Gov. JB Pritzker issued a statement calling her death a loss to the nation, adding that she was a trailblazer for women’s rights who worked tirelessly for equality.
Her inspiration to women, girls and marginalized groups showed her testament to working toward what is right, the governor shared on social media.
"Her legacy will endure, but only if we fight as hard as she did to protect it,” he wrote.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot took to Twitter to express her sadness about Ginsburg’s passing.
“She represented the finest among lawyers in our country,” Lightfoot wrote. “A giant in her advocacy for women’s rights, civil rights and respect for the rule of law. We must honor her legacy and all her contributions to American jurisprudence.”