Illinois Judicial System & Candidates

Illinois has a three-tiered judiciary comprised of the circuit, appellate and supreme court, as provided by Article VI, the Judicial Article of the Illinois Constitution of 1970. 

  • Like other elected public officials, judges make decisions about fundamental issues that affect all of us for many years to come. Having fair, qualified judges is critical to ensure that the rights of everyone are protected.  

  • An independent judiciary is fundamental to the rule of law, the separation of powers in our constitutional democracy, and the impartial administration of justice.

Structure of the Courts

  • The Supreme Court has 7 justices – 3 represent Cook County, with 1 each for the remaining 4 Appellate Courts. A Chief Justice is elected by the other justices for a term of 3 years. Justices are elected in partisan elections for 10 years, and may be retained for an additional 10 years. The Supreme Court is in charge of the administration of the judicial systems, setting rules and how it functions. DuPage County is in the 3rd Appellate District.

  • There are 5 Appellate Court District. Some Judges are elected by the voters in the respective districts; those judges are initially elected to 10-year terms and then may be retained for additional 10-year terms. Other judges are assigned to the appellate court by the supreme court. Each judge has a support staff of two law clerks and a secretary. DuPage County is in the 3rd Appellate District

  • There are 23 judicial Circuit Courts, also known as trial courts, consists of Circuit Judges and Associate Judges, all of whom must be licensed attorneys. Circuit judges are elected for 6-year terms, and must run every 6 years for retention.  The Circuit Judges elect a Chief Judge, who provides administrative guidance to the whole circuit. Associate Judges are appointed by Circuit Judges for a 4-year term. DuPage County is in the 18th Judicial Court. 

How Cases Flow Through the System

  • The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction and hears a wide variety of civil and criminal case – from small claim actions to domestic relations to criminal felonies. 

  • The Appellate Court hears appeals from Circuit Court cases. The Appellate Court may reverse a court decision or remand the case for a new trial if there was a substantive error in the application of law.

  • The Supreme Court is the highest court in Illinois, Cases are normally channeled from the Appellate Court, but sometimes a direct appeal to a death sentence from the Circuit Court goes directly to the Supreme Court, bypassing the Appellate Court. The Supreme Court has exclusive authority to decide matters involving legislative redistricting, the ability of the governor to serve and other cases involving state revenue, writs of mandamus, prohibition or habeas corpus.

How to find out information and evaluation of judicial candidates?

  • ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls: Opinions expressed are of those lawyers who chose to respond and not of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Watch September’s Judicial Forum Here!

Judicial Forum with Judge Bonnie Wheaton and Retired Judge Tom Dudgeon. Find out how the IL judicial system works and how to research judicial candidates. Hosted by LWV Elmhurst and LWVGE.