The Three Types of Courts in Illinois

The Illinois court system is a three-tiered judiciary consisting of the Circuit Court, the Appellate Court, and the Supreme Court [1].

Key Facts

  1. Circuit Court:
  • The Circuit Court is the trial court in Illinois and has original jurisdiction in all matters except those falling under the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction.
  • It is divided into 23 judicial circuits.
  • The Circuit Court hears both civil and criminal cases.
  • There are two types of judges in the Circuit Court: circuit judges and associate judges.
  • Circuit judges are elected for a six-year term and must run for retention every six years.
  • Associate judges are appointed by circuit judges for a four-year term and can hear all types of cases except felony cases.
  1. Appellate Court:
  • The Appellate Court hears appeals from the Circuit Court cases.
  • It is divided into five judicial districts.
  • The First Judicial District consists of Cook County, while the rest of the state is divided into the other four districts.
  • Three judges hear an appellate case, and a majority vote of two judges is required to decide the case.
  • The Appellate Court may affirm a trial court decision, reverse a circuit court decision, or remand the case for a new trial.
  1. Supreme Court:
  • The Supreme Court is the highest court in Illinois[2].
  • It has the exclusive authority to decide matters involving legislative redistricting and determining the ability for the governor to serve.
  • The Supreme Court consists of seven justices.
  • Three justices represent the First Appellate Judicial District (Cook County), and the remaining four justices represent the other four Appellate Judicial Districts.
  • A majority vote of four justices is required to decide a case.
  • The Supreme Court may also pass rules to allow direct appeals in certain cases.

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court is the trial court in Illinois and has original jurisdiction in all matters except those falling under the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction [1]. It is divided into 23 judicial circuits [1]. The Circuit Court hears both civil and criminal cases [1].

There are two types of judges in the Circuit Court: circuit judges and associate judges [1]. Circuit judges are elected for a six-year term and must run for retention every six years [1]. Associate judges are appointed by circuit judges for a four-year term and can hear all types of cases except felony cases, for which they must receive authorization from the Supreme Court [1].

Appellate Court

The Appellate Court hears appeals from the Circuit Court cases [1]. It is divided into five judicial districts [1]. The First Judicial District consists of Cook County, while the rest of the state is divided into the other four districts [1].

Three judges hear an appellate case, and a majority vote of two judges is required to decide the case [1]. The Appellate Court may affirm a trial court decision, reverse a circuit court decision, or remand the case for a new trial [1].

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in Illinois [2]. It has the exclusive authority to decide matters involving legislative redistricting and determining the ability for the governor to serve [1].

The Supreme Court consists of seven justices [1]. Three justices represent the First Appellate Judicial District (Cook County), and the remaining four justices represent the other four Appellate Judicial Districts [1]. A majority vote of four justices is required to decide a case [1]. The Supreme Court may also pass rules to allow direct appeals in certain cases [1].

Sources

[1] Structure of the Illinois Court System (19th Judicial Circuit Court, IL): https://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/1273/Structure-of-the-Illinois-Court-System
[2] The Illinois Courts System (Illinois State Bar Association): https://www.isba.org/public/illinoiscourts
[3] How Cases Proceed Through the Courts (Office of the Illinois Courts): https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/public/how-cases-proceed-through-the-courts/

FAQs

What are the three types of courts in Illinois?

**Answer:** The three types of courts in Illinois are the Circuit Court, the Appellate Court, and the Supreme Court.

What is the highest court in Illinois?

**Answer:** The Supreme Court is the highest court in Illinois.

What types of cases does the Circuit Court hear?

**Answer:** The Circuit Court hears both civil and criminal cases.

How many judicial circuits are there in Illinois?

**Answer:** There are 23 judicial circuits in Illinois.

How are circuit judges elected?

**Answer:** Circuit judges are elected for a six-year term and must run for retention every six years.

How are associate judges appointed?

**Answer:** Associate judges are appointed by circuit judges for a four-year term.

How many judges hear an appellate case?

**Answer:** Three judges hear an appellate case.

What is the majority vote required to decide a case in the Supreme Court?

**Answer:** A majority vote of four justices is required to decide a case in the Supreme Court.

Related posts: