 During the past year, 25 counties in nine judicial circuits across Illinois have
participated in the pilot program, opening their trial courtrooms to news
photographers and electronic news media to cover cases."At this time last
year, my colleagues and I announced a pilot project in order to promote greater
openness and accountability in Illinois courts by allowing cameras and
microphones in the trial courtrooms," Kilbride said. "By giving the public a
closer look at the workings of our court system, I remain confident that
citizens will learn more about how their courts work and the critical roles that
judges and the courts have in our society.
"I am thankful for all of the efforts of the chief judges, the judges and
their staffs, attorneys, and all those involved in implementing the pilot
project. I look forward to more expansion of the project in the coming months."
On the project's anniversary, Kilbride and the Supreme Court announced that
Lake County in the 19th Circuit and DeKalb and Kendall counties in the 23rd
Circuit have now been approved for the pilot project. The order is effective
immediately.
Chief Judge Fred Foreman of the 19th Circuit said he and the judges in the
circuit are committed to the program and would afford an additional opportunity
to assess the pilot project from another perspective.
"Our 15 circuit judges have expressed unanimous support for this pilot
project," Foreman said. "Our court staff has developed a positive working
relationship with various news representatives, and we welcome the collaboration
of the news media to develop local protocols and implement a successful
program."
Chief Judge Timothy J. McCann of the 23rd Circuit already brings experience
to the project. He chaired the Courtroom Media Committee of the 16th Circuit
(Kane County), which was composed of state's attorneys and public defenders from
DeKalb and Kendall counties.
"Before the split of the 16th Judicial Circuit which created the 23rd
Circuit, we held meetings with many stakeholders of the courts," McCann said. "I
chaired the committee and assisted the committee in developing suggested rules
and procedures for the implementation of the program in our counties. We also
received input from the public at hearings. I believe that committee experience
will enable the 23rd Circuit to implement the pilot program efficiently and
quickly."
The Supreme Court order approving the 19th and 23rd circuits requires that a
judge presiding over a proceeding in which cameras or audio are allowed must
file a report with the chief judge of the circuit, the chief justice and the
Supreme Court justice in the district the circuit is located.
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In January 2012, the 14th Judicial Circuit in northwestern Illinois,
under Chief Judge Jeffrey W. O'Connor, was the first to be approved
for cameras in the courtroom.
The Illinois Supreme Court has allowed cameras to broadcast its
own oral arguments, and those of the Illinois Appellate Court, since
1983. At that time, however, the court specifically rejected
allowing news cameras during trial proceedings, and the issue made
little headway until Kilbride and his fellow justices took another
look.
Last Wednesday, for the first time ever, the Supreme Court
allowed live coverage of an oral argument in its courtroom. The
coverage of People ex rel. The City of Chicago v. Le Mirage Inc. was
broadcast by WGN over its Internet site and live on CLTV in Chicago.
On Thursday the Supreme Court also amended its camera policy to
include language that would explain the policy to jurors. These
instructions to the jurors shall be given by the judge at the
beginning of the trial and before the jury begins deliberations. The
amended policy is available on the Supreme Court's website at
www.state.il.us/court by clicking on the "Extended
Media Coverage Order" link under "Quick Links."
Lake County in the 19th Circuit and DeKalb and Kendall counties
in the 23rd Circuit join the following counties where extended media
coverage was approved earlier by the Supreme Court: Knox County in
the 9th Judicial Circuit; McLean County in the 11th Judicial
Circuit; DuPage County in the 18th Judicial Circuit; Alexander,
Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and
Williamson counties in the 1st Judicial Circuit; Boone and Winnebago
counties in the 17th Judicial Circuit; Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee,
Ogle and Stephenson counties in the 15th Judicial Circuit; Madison
County in the 3rd Judicial Circuit; Kankakee County in the 21st
Judicial Circuit; and Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside
counties in the 14th Judicial Circuit.
[Text from file received from the
Illinois Supreme Court]
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