Judiciary of Illinois

[1][2] Six circuits comprise solely of a single county; these are Cook, Kane, Will, DuPage, Lake, and McHenry.

The circuit court has general jurisdiction and can decide, with few exceptions, any kind of case.

The circuit court also reviews administrative decisions of certain state agencies.

Three Illinois Appellate Court judges hear each case and the concurrence of two is necessary to render a decision.

Prior to the state's moratorium and abolition of the death penalty (see capital punishment in Illinois), the court had mandatory appellate jurisdiction in capital cases, and cases where the constitutionality of laws has been called into question as well as had discretionary jurisdiction from the Illinois Appellate Court.

[18] The AOIC conducts the election process for the appointment of associate judges; provides support services to the courts and the judicial conference; develops the judicial budget; provides legislative support services to the courts; assists in the development and oversight of the judicial education plan; develops and monitors probation programs for the circuit courts and administrative-service training for all judges; collects and publishes statistical information on caseloads; and handles payroll for all judicial personnel.

[20][21] There are also unofficial sources such as West's Illinois Decisions (an Illinois-specific version of the North Eastern Reporter).

Circuit judges are elected for six years, may be retained by voters for additional six-year terms, and can hear any kind of case.

[31] The Illinois Courts Commission, composed of one Supreme Court justice, two Appellate Court judges, two circuit court judges and two citizens, has the authority after notice and public hearing to remove from office, suspend without pay, censure or reprimand any member of the judiciary for willful misconduct in office, persistent failure to perform his or her duties, or other conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice or that brings the judicial office into disrepute; or to suspend, with or without pay, or retire any member of the judiciary who is physically or mentally unable to perform his or her duties.

[32] The Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, created by the 1970 Illinois Constitution, has the authority to conduct investigations, receive or initiate complaints concerning any member of the judiciary, and file complaints with the Courts Commission.

[32] The Supreme Court administers professional discipline through the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC),[33] and they govern initial licensing through the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar,[34] where the applicant must receive a certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Committee on Character and Fitness.

[35][36] Accusations have been made of corruption in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, resulting in a three-year suspension recommendation against the accusing attorney by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.