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The court of “original jurisdiction” is the circuit court. There are
twenty-three circuits in the state, five of which are single county
circuits (Cook, Will, DuPage, Lake, and McHenry). The remaining
eighteen circuits contain two to twelve counties per circuit.
In Illinois, the circuit court is the court of original
jurisdiction. There are twenty-three circuits in the state.
Five are single county circuits (Cook, Will, DuPage,
Lake, and McHenry) and the remaining eighteen circuits
comprise as few as two and as many as twelve counties
each. Except for redistricting of the general assembly
and ruling on the ability of the governor to serve or
resume office, the circuit court has jurisdiction for all
matters properly brought before it. The circuit court
shares jurisdiction with the Supreme Court to hear cases
relating to revenue, mandamus, prohibition, and habeas
corpus. If the Supreme Court chooses to exercise its
authority in a case of these types, the circuit
court loses jurisdiction. The circuit court
is also the reviewing court for certain state
agency administrative orders. There are two
types of judges in the circuit court: circuit
judges and associate judges. Circuit
judges are elected for a six year term and
may be retained by voters for additional
six year terms. They can hear any
circuit court case. Circuit judges are
initially elected either circuit-wide, from
the county where they reside or from
a sub-circuit within a county, depending
on the type of vacancy they are filling.
Associate judges are appointed by circuit
judges, pursuant to Supreme Court rules, for
four-year terms. An associate judge can hear
any case, except criminal cases punishable
by a prison term of one year or more (felonies).
An associate judge can be specially authorized by
the Supreme Court to hear all criminal cases. Circuit
judges in a circuit elect one of their members to
serve as chief circuit court judge. The chief judge has
general administrative authority in the circuit, subject
to the overall administrative authority of the Supreme
Court. The chief judge can assign cases to general or
specialized divisions within the circuit.
Circuit Court Administrative Matters
Conference of Chief Circuit Judges: The
Conference of Chief Circuit Judges is comprised of
the chief circuit judges from the twenty-three Illinois
judicial circuits. Judge S. Gene Schwarm, Chief Judge
of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, serves as chairperson
of the Conference and Judge Elizabeth A. Robb,
Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, serves as
vice-chairperson. The conference meets regularly to
discuss issues related to the administration of justice
in the circuit courts and other matters referred to the
conference by the Supreme Court. The Administrative
Office serves as secretary to the Conference.
Conference Committees and Activities: The
Conference has established several committees to
address particular issues, and to provide information
and recommendations. Committees active during 2010
include the Article V Committee; Committee on Forms;
Committee to Revise the Chief Circuit Judges’ Manual;
Domestic Relations Committee; Jury Committee;
Juvenile Committee; Long-Range Planning Committee;
Orientation Committee; Prison Committee; Probation
Committee; Specialty Courts Committee; and several ad
hoc committees convened to study specific, short-term
topics.
During 2010, the committees of the Conference
considered subject matter in several areas. The Forms
Committee developed forms for the Civil No Contact
Order, Stalking No Contact Order, and Order
of Protection. The Domestic Relations
Committee considered several proposed
amendments to Supreme Court Rules 905
and 924. The Juvenile Committee made
recommendations to address issues related
to the enactment of Public Act 95-1031.
The Jury Committee recommended an
amendment to Supreme Court Rule 285 with
respect to small claim jury demand fees. The
Article V Committee recommended, and the
Conference approved, a proposal to allow
the Second District of the Illinois State Police
to operate an e-Citation pilot program. The
Article V Committee, Domestic Relations
Committee, Committee on Forms, Juvenile
Committee, Prison Committee, Specialty
Courts Committee, and Probation Committee
continued to monitor and analyze new legislation
and Supreme Court Rules relevant to each
committee’s focus. As necessary, related forms,
policy, orders, etc., were modified in accordance
with the new provisions. In addition, the Long-Range
Planning Committee began to consider presentations
for future educational sessions, which include a strategic
planning session, education session on budget issues,
and session on judicial calendaring/scheduling. Finally,
the Conference, as a whole, considered a proposed
parenting coordinator rule for inclusion in the 900
series of Supreme Court rules, the impact of a repeal to
Supreme Court Rule 296, and created an amendment
to address issues related to Public Act 96-1217. Chief
judges also offered the nomination of judges to serve
as peer mentors, and considered issues related to the
financial crisis of the state and counties.
In the interest of furthering the knowledge and skills
of its members, the Conference hosted a variety of
presentations relating to trial court issues. For example,
the Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice and Illinois Legal
Aid online made a presentation on legal self-help
centers which are located in 53 counties in Illinois. The
presentation included information on future plans for legal
self-help centers, which include a needs assessment to
determine the efficacy of services provided and training
for legal self-help center navigators.
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