Illinois Supreme Court

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the assignment of Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas More Donnelly to the First District Appellate Court. The assignment is effective October 16, 2026, and will continue until further order of the Court.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today three appointments to the State Public Defender Commission (Commission) pursuant to the State Public Defender Act. The Commission will play a vital role in overseeing and supporting the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), ensuring the delivery of legal representation to indigent defendants in Illinois mandated by the constitution. The three appointees are Jeffrey D. Colman, the Hon. Brian Otwell (ret.) and Jeffrey York.

The Illinois Supreme Court invites applications from individuals interested in serving as the initial Illinois State Public Defender, a new chief executive role overseeing an independent agency within the Judicial Branch. In this role, the selected individual will be the State's leading advocate for Illinois’ public defenders and for the constitutional rights of people charged with offenses and represented by Illinois’ public defense system.

The Illinois Appellate Court Second District is pleased to announce the launch of a new pilot program aimed at assisting self-represented litigants (SRLs) in the appellate court. The number of appeals filed by SRLs now makes up approximately 50 percent of filings and continues to increase. This innovative program is designed to address the difficulties experienced both by SRLs and the other party by offering free mediation with volunteer attorneys as mediation advocates.