Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Katharine Hatch as a Circuit Judge in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit.
Ms. Hatch is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles W. Smith, effective Aug. 31, 2026. The appointment is effective November 9, 2026, and will conclude on December 4, 2028.
Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today amendments to Rules 307 and 660 which will allow for interlocutory appeal on transfer orders from juvenile court to adult court. This change provides minors with the opportunity to request expedited appellate review of a juvenile court’s transfer order. The proposal was championed by former Cook County Circuit Court Judge Stuart Katz, who passed away earlier this year.
Justice Elizabeth Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in Kendall County in the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit. The vacancy will be created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Robert P. Pilmer on November 30, 2026.
Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to full Court approval.
The Illinois Appellate Court Second District is pleased to announce that the launch of a new pilot program aimed at assisting self-represented litigants (SRLs) will take place on November 1. 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.
The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to announce that it will honor Anne M. Burke, former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, for her outstanding career and contributions as a jurist. The presentation of the award will take place during a special session of the Illinois Supreme Court at 2 p.m. on October 9, 2026, in the Illinois Supreme Court Courtroom, 160 North LaSalle Street, Chicago. A reception hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association will follow the presentation ceremony.
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) released a call for nominations today for two awards, the Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award and The Hon. Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award. These awards are designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants.
Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Associate Judge Sarah Duffy as a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
Judge Duffy is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the impending retirement of Chief Judge Casey Costigan on October 16, 2026. The appointment is effective October 19, 2026, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.
Judge Duffy has served as an Associate Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit since 2018. Prior to joining the bench, she was with the Fellheimer Law Firm in Pontiac.
The Illinois Supreme Court announced the filing of lawyer disciplinary orders on September 25, 2026. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.
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 Judicial Conference (IJC) is accepting applications for two upcoming vacancies:
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