Illinois Judicial Branch
Article 6 of the Illinois constitution sets up the courts system for Illinois. Much like the federal court system, there are 3 types of courts in Illinois: the Illinois Supreme Court, appellate courts, and circuit or trial courts. The main functions of the Judicial Branch are:
Illinois Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Illinois is the final court of appeal on all state matters that have come up from the lower courts. The Illinois Supreme Court is made up of 7 judges, called justices. Supreme Court justices are elected by the people and serve a term of 10 years. The Illinois Supreme Court hears appeals from the appellate courts and appeals from circuit courts when a death sentence has been imposed. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in a few special types of trials.
Illinois Appellate Courts
Appellate courts hear appeals from circuit courts. The appellate court is organized into five districts. The first meets in Chicago, the second in Elgin, the third in Ottawa, the fourth in Springfield, and the fifth in Mt. Vernon. Judges are elected by voters in each district for ten-year terms. The number of appellate court judges is set by the legislature. Currently, there are 54 appellate judges in Illinois.
Illinois Circuit Courts
Circuit courts hear most trials. Currently, Illinois is divided into 23 judicial circuits. Each circuit has a chief circuit judge, additional circuit judges, and associate judges. Circuit judges are elected for a six-year term and may be retained by voters for additional six-year terms. They can hear any circuit court case. Associate judges are appointed by the circuit judges and serve terms of 4 years.
Qualifications
All judges must be citizens, licensed attorneys of the state, and residents of the districts from which they are elected. Judges must devote full time to their judicial duties and may not engage in law practice or hold other office, including officers in political parties.
Re-election
Once judges have been elected, they may run for re-election on their records, without opposition. In these cases voters simply vote yes or no on their retention. If 3/5 approval is not obtained, the judge must be replaced.
- administering justice
- interpreting the meaning of law and the Constitution of Illinois,
- settling disputes.
Illinois Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Illinois is the final court of appeal on all state matters that have come up from the lower courts. The Illinois Supreme Court is made up of 7 judges, called justices. Supreme Court justices are elected by the people and serve a term of 10 years. The Illinois Supreme Court hears appeals from the appellate courts and appeals from circuit courts when a death sentence has been imposed. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in a few special types of trials.
Illinois Appellate Courts
Appellate courts hear appeals from circuit courts. The appellate court is organized into five districts. The first meets in Chicago, the second in Elgin, the third in Ottawa, the fourth in Springfield, and the fifth in Mt. Vernon. Judges are elected by voters in each district for ten-year terms. The number of appellate court judges is set by the legislature. Currently, there are 54 appellate judges in Illinois.
Illinois Circuit Courts
Circuit courts hear most trials. Currently, Illinois is divided into 23 judicial circuits. Each circuit has a chief circuit judge, additional circuit judges, and associate judges. Circuit judges are elected for a six-year term and may be retained by voters for additional six-year terms. They can hear any circuit court case. Associate judges are appointed by the circuit judges and serve terms of 4 years.
Qualifications
All judges must be citizens, licensed attorneys of the state, and residents of the districts from which they are elected. Judges must devote full time to their judicial duties and may not engage in law practice or hold other office, including officers in political parties.
Re-election
Once judges have been elected, they may run for re-election on their records, without opposition. In these cases voters simply vote yes or no on their retention. If 3/5 approval is not obtained, the judge must be replaced.
ICivis
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