Chief Justice William Rehnquist has been taken to a hospital for observation and tests overnight after complaining of a fever, a U.S. Supreme Court spokeswoman said Wednesday.
An ambulance took Rehnquist to Arlington Hospital in northern Virginia on Tuesday night, court spokeswoman said.
The 80-year-old chief justice, who has been battling thyroid cancer, has been admitted for observation and tests. The spokeswoman gave no indication when he would be released.
Rehnquist has served on the Supreme Court since 1972 and was confirmed as chief justice in 1986. His age and health have led to widespread speculation that he will announce his retirement soon before the court reconvenes in October.
Earlier this month, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said she was retiring, paving the way for the first opening on the court in 11 years.
Rehnquist has not offered the public a clue to his plans.
He has been on a physically demanding pace since October, when he had an emergency tracheotomy after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He then endured weeks of chemotherapy and radiation.
"I think he's happy now just getting his work done, and the work of the other justices done. He takes that leadership role seriously," said Richard Garnett, a University of Notre Dame professor and a former law clerk for Rehnquist.
"And if it comes to a point where he says, 'I can't do the job,' then I think he'll just quit. But we don't know if he's at that point yet."
After his initial diagnosis and treatments, Rehnquist remained off the bench and away from his court office, although he continued to work from home with the help of his clerks and staff.
He returned to his office in December and was back on the bench in March. Rehnquist braved the cold in January to uphold tradition and swear in President Bush for a second term.
Rehnquist's trachea tube remains in place, leaving his voice scratchy, and he uses a wheelchair to get around on long trips.
On the bench, the chief justice remains alert and mentally sharp, his stern
demeanor still in evidence, keeping close watch on the clock and chastising
lawyers who stray from their assigned time limits during oral arguments.
