Seventh Circuit Court Judge Diane Wood isn't the only Chicagoans in serious contention for the impending U.S. Supreme Court vacancy.  Along with Wood, one of the names listed on the White House's so-called "short-list" is Ann Claire Williams, her colleague on the 7th Circuit bench. A former third-grade teacher and assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, Williams was the first African-American woman to serve as a judge in the District Court of Northern Illinois. President Clinton nominated her for the Appeals Court in 2000. The Tribune has more background on her career, for those who are interested.

Meanwhile, the New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg published a profile of Wood yesterday, who she described as a "left-leaning woman in a world of right-leaning men." Check out the full piece here.