The Illinois Supreme Court announced the implementation of standardized rejection protocols for electronically submitted filings (e-filings) in both circuit courts and reviewing courts through an amendment to Supreme Court Rule 9. Rule 9, which is titled Electronic Filing of Documents, is intended to ensure statewide uniformity; the amendment adopting the Rejection Standards will provide filers with guidance on correcting their filings for resubmission.

In today’s world, the monikers John Doe, Richard Roe, Jane Doe, and Jane Roe typically denote an unidentified body at a crime scene. Fifty years ago, it was one of the names in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade — Jane Roe being the plaintiff and later identified as Norma McCorvey.

The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services (OSPS) unveiled a new interactive pretrial data dashboard that provides a summary of several initial decision points for criminal cases filed since the implementation of Public Act 101-652 and Public Act 102-1104, (commonly referred to as the Pretrial Fairness Act) on Sept. 18, 2023. Additional data fields are expected to be added in the near future.

Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Tenth Judicial Circuit – Peoria County.

Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in Woodford County in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Judicial independence has been a cornerstone of our Republic since its founding. In Federalist #78, Alexander Hamilton explained the role of the federal judiciary under the United States Constitution. According to Hamilton, the judiciary has “neither force, nor will, but merely judgment.” Consequently, “[t]he complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential” in safeguarding the trust and confidence that people have in the judiciary and the decisions that judges make on a daily basis.

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced it is vacating the COVID-era orders related to the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program.

Illinois judges are increasingly being recognized for their dedicated work in courtrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the recent honors received by Illinois judges:

Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the assignment of Seventh Circuit Judge Raylene DeWitte Grischow to the Fourth District Appellate Court.

Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Amy B. Christiansen as a Will County Circuit Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, First Subcircuit.