IL State Judicial System

The Supreme Court of Illinois, the highest tribunal in Illinois, has seven justices elected from five judicial districts for 10-year terms. Three justices are elected from the 1st District (Cook County), and one from each of the other four districts. The Supreme Court has general administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in the state. The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue, mandamus, prohibition or habeas corpus. 

The Appellate Courts hear appeals from the Circuit Courts. Appellate Court judges are elected from the five judicial districts for 10-year terms. Cook County, which comprises the 1st District, elects 18 appellate judges. The remaining 101 counties are divided into four districts that elect six judges each. 

The Circuit Courts reside in the state’s 25 judicial circuits, each having one chief judge elected by the circuit judges. Associate judges may be assigned by the chief judge to hear any matters deemed suitable, including the trial of criminal cases in which the defendant is charged with an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Circuit judges are elected for six-year terms; associate judges are appointed by the circuit judges for four-year terms. 

When a Supreme, Appellate or Circuit Court judgeship is vacant or newly created, candidates are nominated at partisan primary elections and elected at the general election. However, the names of judges seeking retention are submitted to the electors, separately and without party designation, on whether each judge shall be retained in office for another term. The retention elections shall be conducted at general elections in the appropriate judicial district for Supreme and Appellate Court judges and in the circuit for Circuit Court judges. 

The Illinois Courts Commission — created by the 1970 Illinois Constitution and composed of one Supreme Court justice, two Appellate Court judges, two Circuit Court judges and two citizens — has the authority after notice and public hearing  to remove or suspend judges from office. 

A Judicial Inquiry Board, created by the 1970 Illinois Constitution, has the authority to conduct investigations, receive or initiate complaints concerning any member of the judiciary, and file complaints with the Courts Commission. 

Judges must devote full time to their judicial duties. They may not practice law; hold a position of profit; hold any other office under the United States, this state, unit of local government or school district; or hold office in any political party.