Customary rules of decorum are observed
when attending or visiting sessions of the
Illinois Supreme Court.
1. Timely arrival. The Supreme Court
convenes promptly at its announced starting
times. All attorneys and others having
business before the Court should be seated in
the Courtroom before time for the Court to
convene.
2. Marshal's announcement. As soon as
members of the Court are ready to enter the
Courtroom, the Marshal will announce their
approach by rapping the gavel. Immediately
all persons present will rise to their feet and
remain standing until all members of the
Court are seated.
3. Recess and Adjournment. When the Chief
Justice announces a recess or adjournment,
the Marshal will call all persons to their feet
with a rap of the gavel, and they will continue
to stand until all members of the Court have
retired from the room. During this recessional,
the audience should refrain from movement or
conversation.
4. Courtesy to speaker. Whenever members of
the bar are addressing the Court, or members
of the Court are speaking, all other persons in
the Courtroom should remain silent. Persons
wishing to retire from the Courtroom should
wait until an oral argument has been
completed.
