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Illinois Supreme Court

  • October 28, 2025 | Practice News
    Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. of the Illinois Supreme Court

    Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., assumed the office of Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court effective Sunday, October 26. He will serve a three-year term, succeeding Justice Mary Jane Theis. Justice Neville’s formal installation and swearing-in was held on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Apostolic Faith Church in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. 

    Justice Neville is the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history, following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999. He is the 123rd Chief Justice in Illinois history. 

  • October 24, 2025 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Releases Annual Report

    The Illinois Supreme Court has released the Illinois Courts 2024 Annual Report.

    The Report contains a summary of the day-today operations of the Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court, and highlights the work of Illinois judges, court managers, committees, AOIC and other justice partners who keep the trains running for the third branch of government.

  • October 24, 2025 | Practice News
    Notice of Vacancy for Resident Circuit Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – Subcircuit No. 1

    Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in Winnebago County – in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – Subcircuit No. 1.

    The vacancy will result from the retirement of the Honorable John S. Lowry, effective December 31, 2025.

    Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to final Court approval.

  • September 30, 2025 | Practice News
    Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative Names Scott Block to National Advisory Group

    The Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative (JPLI) has selected Scott Block, Behavioral Health Administrator, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, from a highly competitive pool of candidates, to serve on its national Advisory Group.

  • September 23, 2025 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Approves Vision for New Community Justice Worker Program

    Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today the approval in concept of a new Community Justice Worker Program (Program) to allow for certified individuals who are not lawyers to provide limited legal assistance in designated high-need areas of law under the supervision of an Illinois-licensed attorney.

  • September 23, 2025 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Terra Costa Howard as Circuit Judge in Dupage County

    Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Terra Costa Howard as a Resident Circuit Judge in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (DuPage County), Fifth Subcircuit.

    Ms. Costa Howard is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Fullerton. The appointment is effective October 17, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

  • September 23, 2025 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Disbars 2, Suspends 17 in Latest Disciplinary Filing

    The Illinois Supreme Court issued attorney disciplinary orders during its September 2025 Term of Court. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law.

  • September 10, 2025 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Assigns Hon. Robert C. Bollinger to Fifth District Appellate Court

    Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the assignment of the Honorable Robert C. “R.C.” Bollinger to the Fifth District Appellate Court.

    Judge Bollinger is being assigned to fill a newly created vacancy on the Fifth District Appellate Court. The assignment is effective September 29, 2025, and will continue until further order of the Court.

  • September 9, 2025 | Practice News
    Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. Selected as Next Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court

    The Illinois Supreme Court has selected Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. as the 123rd Chief Justice. He will be the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history, following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999.

    His three-year term begins on October 26, 2025, succeeding Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, who has led the Court since 2022.

  • September 2, 2025 | Practice News
    Access to Justice Commission Seeks Nominations for Colman and Kilbride Awards

    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.