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.
Practice News
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September 9, 2026 | Practice News
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September 8, 2026 | Practice News
Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a standing Judicial Screening Committee (Committee). The Committee has been formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who apply for appointment to vacancies in the Supreme Court’s 19th Judicial Circuit – Lake County.
Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies on the Circuit and Appellate Courts are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Appointed individuals then must run in the next election to maintain the seat.
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September 8, 2026 | Practice News
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.
1 comment (Most recent September 10, 2026) -
September 8, 2026 | Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court has released the Illinois Courts 2025 Annual Report.
The Report contains a summary of the day-to-day 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.
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September 3, 2026 | Practice News
Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois seeks public comment on the applicants for a Circuit Judge vacancy in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit.
The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Charles W. Smith, effective Aug. 31, 2026. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment.
Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are:
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September 1, 2026 | Practice News
At this year’s ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, Sept. 17-18 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette, many sessions will provide hands-on tactics and tips for small-firm and solo attorneys. Presenters will discuss how to use artificial intelligence (AI) smartly, ethically, and confidently in the practice of law. For the September Illinois Bar Journal's cover story, "A Quick-Start Guide to AI," the IBJ interviewed some of the conference's presenters for overviews of their AI-related sessions.
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August 31, 2026 | Practice News
The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the appointment of Gregory T. Mitchell as an At Large Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Mr. Mitchell is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Daniel Kubasiak. Mr. Mitchell’s appointment is effective October 2, 2026, and will conclude on December 4, 2028.
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August 26, 2026 |
Practice News
ROCKFORD, IL – Brendan A. Maher, Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, has officially posted a notice of vacancy for the position of Boone County Public Defender. This vacancy is based on the selection of Public Defender Kathryn J. Cross to serve as an associate judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for September 2, 2026.
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August 19, 2026 | Practice News
Justice Elizabeth Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge vacancy in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Charles W. Smith effective Aug. 31, 2026.
Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to full Court approval.
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August 19, 2026 | Practice News
Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Natalie M. Stec as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
Ms. Stec received her undergraduate degree in 1997 from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois and her Juris Doctor in 2000 from New York Law School in New York, New York. Ms. Stec is currently affiliated with Wolfe and Stec, Ltd. in Woodridge, Illinois.