|
 The pilot project, which was launched by the Supreme Court on
January 24, 2012, allowed the use of media cameras in certain
courtrooms on an experimental basis. Since then, 15 judicial
circuits have been approved to implement EMC, and more than 450
media requests have been made under the Policy.
Based on the success of the pilot project and the Court's continued
goal of promoting greater transparency, accountability, and
accessibility to the court system, the justices have amended the
Policy to terminate its status as a pilot project and to allow each
circuit court to decide whether it wishes to implement EMC.
“At every level of the judicial system, we do the people’s work, and
the people have an interest in observing how the judicial process
functions,” Chief Justice Garman said. "We are pleased with the
success of the pilot project and with the great cooperation we have
received from the media. It is time to make EMC more widely
available."
As a pilot project, the process for obtaining Supreme Court approval
to implement EMC was not standardized. Thus, the Supreme Court has
also amended the Policy to include a standard application form to be
submitted by the chief judge of a judicial circuit that has an
interest in permitting news cameras in its courtrooms.
 The new form requests information about the logistics of allowing
cameras in the courtrooms of the applicant circuit, including
details on proposed implementation dates, technological
capabilities, and the court's media liaison function, as well as any
administrative order, local rules, or policies related to extended
media coverage. The new application form will ensure consistency
and efficiency in the process. It is designed to make the
application and review process more uniform, minimize the need for
the Court to request additional information from applying circuits,
and ensure that judicial circuits that elect to implement EMC are
fully prepared to permit cameras in the courtroom.
In addition to the new application form, the Court has created a new
form for the submission of quarterly reports of EMC activity, so
that the Court can monitor the success of the program and address
any problems or concerns that may arise.
[to top of second column] |
Since March 13, 2015, the
Court has required participating circuits to submit quarterly
reports on EMC activity, but the Policy did not set out a specific
format for the reports. To ensure richer and more consistent
reporting, the Court has created a three-part form to be used for
the confidential quarterly reports.
First, the quarterly reports will contain aggregate information, including the
number of EMC requests received, the types of coverage requested, the nature of
the proceedings for which EMC coverage was sought, and the number of requests
that were approved and the number denied.
Second, each circuit will also maintain and submit a log of EMC requests,
including the case name and type of proceeding, the type of request, the name of
the presiding judge, and whether and when the request was approved or denied.
Third, the quarterly report form invites the chief judges in participating
circuits to share any observations, issues, or concerns that arose during that
reporting quarter, as well as any suggestions that could help the Court improve
the process.
"The new application and reporting forms were designed to provide a more
efficient and uniform process in which chief judges can submit and the Court can
review information related to extended media coverage," said Michael J. Tardy,
director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. "Being able to
thoroughly and timely review applications and reports aids the Court's tracking
of the Policy, and determines whether any changes are needed to ensure the
practice is working for courts and media alike."
Both the application form and the quarterly reporting form will be available on
the Court's website and chief judges will have the option of submitting the
forms electronically.
[Sanchon Corbin, Admin. Assistant,
Communications Office, Supreme Court of Illinois]
 |
