Illinois Circuit Court

Each circuit is administered by a chief judge who is elected by vote of the circuit court judges of that circuit. The chief circuit judge is assisted by an administrative assistant and/or trial court administrator and other support staff. The number of counties in each circuit currently ranges from one to twelve. In each county, voters elect a circuit clerk for a four-year term. Circuit clerks, with help from deputy clerks hired by the circuit clerk, attend sessions of the court, preserve court files and documents, maintain complete records of all cases, and maintain records of money received and disbursed related to these cases.