COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor is continuing her push for proper funding of courts to guarantee access to the justice system.

O'Connor says open and accessible courts are not a luxury but a necessity in a free and civilized society and are also guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions.

O'Connor said during annual remarks Thursday at the Ohio State Bar Association that the legal profession must do more than just bemoan the current lack of funding for courts.

O'Connor has convened a task force to look at long-term financial fixes for Ohio courts.