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Cameras in the Courtroom | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

On February 22, 2016, the Illinois Supreme Court filed an  Order amending the Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois (EMC Policy) by discontinuing the pilot program and adopting the program as permanent. Judicial circuits previously approved under the pilot program are retroactively approved to continue on a permanent basis.

Under the amended EMC Policy, the Chief Judge of a Judicial Circuit can make application for approval to provide extended media coverage of judicial proceedings in the chief judge's judicial circuit. If approved, the judicial circuit will be authorized to allow news media cameras in trial courtrooms in that circuit. Additional reporting requirements are required as part of the approval.

Application to Permit Extended Media Coverage 

Extended Media Coverage Quarterly Report

The following Circuits and Counties are approved to permit extended media coverage in accordance with the Courts Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois.

Circuit Counties Approved Court Order
1 Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson
09/24/12
Court Order
3 Madison 03/15/12 Court Order
6 Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt 09/13/13 Court Order
7 Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott 07/06/16 Court Order
8 Adams 01/30/17 Court Order
9 Knox 12/13/12 Court Order
10 Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell 02/14/14 Court Order
11 Ford, Livingston, Logan, McLean and Woodford 07/06/16 Court Order
12 Will 07/02/21 Court Order
13 Bureau, Grundy and LaSalle 02/06/17 Court Order
14 Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Whiteside 01/31/12 Court Order
15 Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, and Stephenson 03/28/12 Court Order
16 Kane 05/21/13 Court Order
17 Boone and Winnebago 04/30/12 Court Order
18 DuPage 09/24/12 Court Order
19 Lake 01/24/13 Court Order
20 St. Clair 04/25/18 Court Order
21 Kankakee 03/09/12 Court Order
22 McHenry 12/11/19 Court Order
23 Kendall and DeKalb 01/24/13 Court Order
24Monroe, Perry, Randolph, Washington04/27/23Court Order
Cook Cook 12/16/14 Court Order