The Illinois circuit courts are state courts of the judiciary of Illinois . They are trial courts of original and general jurisdiction . As of 2024, outside of Cook County which has its own circuit court, there are 24 numbered circuits, which may include one or more counties of Illinois -- the numbering of the circuits is based on when they were created, generally new higher numbers go to circuits that were later created from out of the lower numbered circuit courts.
40-461: There are two kinds of judges in the circuit court: circuit judges and associate judges. Circuit judges are elected for six years, may be retained by voters for additional six-year terms, and can hear any kind of case. Circuit judges are generally elected on a circuit-wide basis or from the county where they reside. (In the Circuit Court of Cook County , which contains Chicago and is the largest of
80-468: A countywide vote. The current county executive is Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, who took office in 2020. Will County government has been housed in a succession of courthouses, the first being erected in 1837. The fourth courthouse was designed of reinforced concrete in the Brutalist style by Otto Stark of C.F. Murphy Associates and completed in 1969. Citing lack of space, inefficiency and high operating costs,
120-424: A female householder with no husband present, 22.7% were non-families, and 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.41. The median age was 35.4. The median income for a household in the county was $ 75,906 and the median income for a family was $ 85,488. Males had a median income of $ 60,867 versus $ 40,643 for females. The per capita income
160-422: A further term in office (i.e. voting in favor of "retention") or voting against. They are usually nonpartisan, as the judge's party affiliation , if any, typically is not listed on the ballot. A judge is deemed to have been retained if ballots cast in favor of retention outnumber those against. By way of example, judicial retention elections are used in the U.S. state of Illinois . In the 2008 general election ,
200-506: A majority of votes would be elected to serve. (1) Within 30 days before August 16 preceding the expiration of the judge's term, a judge of the Supreme Court or a court of appeal may file a declaration of candidacy to succeed to the office presently held by the judge. If the declaration is not filed, the Governor before September 16 shall nominate a candidate. At the next general election, only
240-646: A politician and businessman involved in salt production in southern Illinois. Will was a member of the first Illinois Constitutional Convention and a member of the Illinois legislature until his death in 1835. Besides its present area, the county originally included the part of Kankakee County, Illinois , north of the Kankakee River . It lost that area when Kankakee County was organized in 1852. Since then its boundaries have not changed. 36 locations in Will County are on
280-490: Is Joliet . Will County is one of the five collar counties of the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. The portion of Will County around Joliet uses area codes 815 and 779, while 630 and 331 are for far northern Will County and 708 is for central and eastern Will County. Will County was formed on January 12, 1836, out of Cook and Iroquois Counties . It was named after Conrad Will ,
320-564: Is a U.S. Forest Service park in the county on the grounds of the former Joliet Arsenal . Other parks include Channahon State Park and the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area . In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Joliet have ranged from a low of 13 °F (−11 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C)
360-608: Is further divided into seven subcircuits. The Nineteenth Circuit consists of Lake County . Under the Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022, the number of subcircuits in the Nineteenth Circuit is to increase from 6 to 12 subcircuits. As of December 5, 2022, the twentieth circuit consists solely of St. Clair County . Prior to December 5, 2022, it had also included the counties of Randolph, Monroe, Washington, and Perry. The Twenty-first Circuit consists of
400-673: Is intersected by the Illinois and Michigan canal , by the Chicago branch of the Central railroad , the Chicago and Mississippi , and by the Chicago and Rock Island railroad . Named in honor of Conrad Will, for many years a member of the Illinois legislature. Capital, Joliet. Population 16,703." — 1854 U.S. Gazetteer According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has an area of 849 square miles (2,200 km ), of which 837 square miles (2,170 km )
440-738: Is land and 12 square miles (31 km ) (1.5%) is water. The Kankakee River , Du Page River and the Des Plaines River run through the county and join on its western border. The Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal run through Will County. A number of areas are preserved as parks (over 20,000 acres (81 km ) total) under the Forest Preserve District of Will County . The 17,000 acres (69 km ) Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
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#1732844354548480-440: Is needed. This may allow interest groups to take advantage of the system by giving money in exchange for favourable rulings by individual judges. Will County, Illinois Will County is a county in the northeastern part of the state of Illinois . According to the 2020 census , it had a population of 696,355, an increase of 2.8% from 677,560 in 2010, making it Illinois's fourth-most populous county. The county seat
520-507: Is not a numbered circuit. The Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022 increased the number of subcircuits from 15 to 20 subcircuits starting December 2, 2024. The First Circuit consists of the counties of Alexander , Pulaski , Massac , Pope , Johnson , Union , Jackson , Williamson , and Saline . The Second Circuit consists of the counties of Hardin, Gallatin, White, Hamilton, Franklin, Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, Jefferson, Richland, Lawrence, and Crawford. The Third Circuit consists of
560-409: Is removed from office if a majority of votes are cast against retention. Retention elections are held periodically, usually at the same time as a general election . A judicial retention vote differs from a regular election in that voters are not asked to choose from a list of candidates — the judges on the ballot do not have opponents. Rather, the voter chooses between electing the incumbent judge to
600-559: The Chicago Loop . Amtrak serves the county at Joliet Transportation Center . The Lincoln Service operates between Chicago and St. Louis, while the Texas Eagle provides service from Chicago south to San Antonio and west to Los Angeles . Will County is a major hub in the national natural gas pipeline grid where pipelines from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico meet and then fan out to serve
640-777: The Illinois General Assembly and the ability of the governor of Illinois to serve or resume office.) The circuit court also shares jurisdiction with the Supreme Court of Illinois (the state supreme court ) to hear cases relating to revenue , mandamus , prohibition , and habeas corpus . However, if the supreme court chooses to exercise its jurisdiction over these cases, the circuit court may not decide them. The circuit court also reviews administrative decisions of certain state agencies. Circuit Courts may also have concurrent jurisdiction with federal courts, subject to removal jurisdiction . There are 25 judicial circuits in
680-523: The National Register of Historic Places . "WILL, a county in the E. N. E. part of Illinois, bordering on Indiana, has an area of 1,236 square miles (3,200 km ). It is intersected by the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers , branches of the Illinois . The surface is generally level, and destitute of timber, excepting small groves. The soil is very fertile, and much of it is under cultivation. The soil of
720-409: The Supreme Court of Japan . Retention elections are used in many U.S. state court systems to retain trial court and appellate court judges. The following 20 states use retention elections for at least some judges: Appellate court retention election Trial court retention election Many legal scholars disapprove of any form of judicial elections on the grounds that they may undermine
760-486: The governor , who would choose a candidate. It was noted that the Missouri Plan needed a form of public accountability so it was decided that, after an election cycle had passed, the judicial candidate would be subject to periodic, public retention elections. The Constitution of Japan , drafted by the U.S. authorities during the occupation of Japan following World War II , effected a similar arrangement for justices of
800-420: The 24 circuits in Illinois, circuit judges are elected from the entire county or as resident judges from each of the fifteen subcircuits within the county.) Associate judges are appointed by circuit judges, under Supreme Court rules, for four-year terms. An associate judge can hear any case, except criminal cases punishable by a prison term of one year or more , unless the associate judge has received approval from
840-577: The Chief Judge of the respective circuit court to hear other criminal cases. Circuit judges in a circuit elect one of their members to serve as chief judge of the circuit court. Cases may be assigned to general or specialized divisions by the chief judge who has general administrative authority in the circuit, subject to the overall administrative authority of the Supreme Court. The circuit court has general jurisdiction and can decide, with few exceptions, any kind of case. (The exceptions are redistricting of
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#1732844354548880-510: The County Board chose to erect a new courthouse, which was designed by Wight & Co. and completed in 2020. Considerable controversy surrounded the disposition of the 1969 courthouse, with Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois including the building on its “2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois”. After a number of votes and appeals, demolition was approved and the destruction of
920-511: The Sixteenth Circuit by Public Act 97-0585. The circuit came into effect on December 3, 2012. The twenty-fourth circuit came into effect on December 5, 2022. It consists of the counties of Randolph, Monroe, Washington, and Perry. Retention election A retention election or retention referendum is a referendum where voters are asked if an office holder , usually a judge , should be allowed to continue in that office. The judge
960-538: The building began on December 4, 2023. Like most of the collar counties , Will County was once a Republican stronghold. It went Republican in all but three elections from 1892 to 1988. Since the 1990s, it has become a swing county. It voted for the national winner in every presidential election from 1980 to 2012, but Chicago-born Hillary Clinton won it along with the rest of the "collar counties" aside from McHenry in 2016. K-12 school districts, including any with any territory in Will County, no matter how slight, even if
1000-483: The candidate so declared or nominated may appear on the ballot, which shall present the question whether the candidate shall be elected. The candidate shall be elected upon receiving a majority of the votes on the question. In 1937, the American Bar Association endorsed retention elections for judges. Growing distaste of politics and corruption affecting the gubernatorial appointments of judges brought about
1040-558: The counties of Madison and Bond. Under the Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022, the third circuit is to receive four subcircuits (three in Madison County, one in Bond County). The Fourth Circuit consists of the counties of Clinton, Marion, Clay, Fayette, Effingham, Jasper, Montgomery, Shelby, and Christian. The Fifth Circuit consists of the counties of Vermilion, Edgar, Clark, Cumberland, and Coles. The Sixth Circuit consists of
1080-522: The counties of Bureau, LaSalle, and Grundy. The Fourteenth Circuit consists of the counties of Rock Island, Mercer, Whiteside, and Henry. The Fifteenth Circuit consists of the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Ogle, and Lee. The Sixteenth Circuit consists of Kane County . The Seventeenth Circuit consists of the counties of Winnebago and Boone. The number of subcircuits will decrease from four to two effective December 2, 2024. The Eighteenth Circuit consists of DuPage County . The circuit
1120-459: The counties of Knox, Warren, Henderson, Hancock, McDonough, and Fulton. The Tenth Circuit consists of the counties of Peoria, Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell. The Eleventh Circuit consists of the counties of McLean, Livingston, Logan, Ford, and Woodford. The Twelfth Circuit consists of Will County . Under the Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022, the twelfth circuit is to receive five subcircuits. The Thirteenth Circuit consists of
1160-550: The counties of Champaign, Douglas, Moultrie, Macon, DeWitt, and Piatt. The Seventh Circuit consists of the counties of Sangamon, Macoupin, Morgan, Scott, Greene, and Jersey. Under the Judicial Circuits Districting Act of 2022, the seventh circuit is to receive seven subcircuits (two in Sangamon County, one in each of the remaining counties). The Eighth Circuit consists of the counties of Adams, Schuyler, Mason, Cass, Brown, Pike, Calhoun, and Menard. The Ninth Circuit consists of
1200-435: The counties of Iroquois and Kankakee. The Twenty-second Circuit consists of McHenry County . The circuit was created when McHenry County was separated from the Nineteenth Circuit into its own circuit and is divided into four subcircuits. It came into effect December 4, 2006. The Twenty-third Circuit consists of the counties of DeKalb and Kendall. The circuit was created after DeKalb County and Kendall County were split from
1240-502: The county was 76.0% white, 11.2% black or African American, 4.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 5.8% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 15.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.6% were German , 18.6% were Irish , 13.3% were Polish , 11.1% were Italian , 5.9% were English , and 2.1% were American . Of the 225,256 households, 44.0% had children under 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had
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1280-484: The independence of the courts and encourage judges to act as politicians. It is argued that of the three branches of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) the judicial branch should be the least concerned with public opinion, but that retention elections cause judges to take into account the view of the electorate when deciding cases. It is also argued that retention elections may lead to corruption because to successfully run for public office money and campaigning
1320-535: The other. In 1934, Judicial retention elections were first used by California 's state court system to fill vacancies. (Text of the law may be seen below.) These retention elections served as an alternative to elections which were previously contested. After appointment by the governor and confirmation by the Commissioner on Judicial Appointments, an incumbent judge would appear on the ballot without an opponent and voters would vote for or against. Judges receiving
1360-448: The prairies is a deep, sandy loam, adapted to Indian corn and grass. In 1850 the county produced 527,903 bushels of Indian corn; 230,885 of wheat; 334,360 of oats; 32,043 tons of hay, and 319,054 pounds of butter. It contained 14 churches, 3 newspaper offices; 3472 pupils attending public schools, and 200 attending other schools. Quarries of building stone are worked near the county seat. The Des Plaines river furnishes water-power. The county
1400-509: The reform when selecting judges. In 1940, the state of Missouri adopted the Missouri Plan, which contained a judicial retention process similar to that of California . This plan which is also known as the merit system, was proposed by Albert M. Kales , co-founder of the American Judicature Society. Under the Missouri Plan, judges were to be nominated by a council of lawyers and laypersons . A list of candidates would then go to
1440-480: The schools and/or administrative headquarters are in other counties: K-12: Secondary: Elementary: Will County is served by four U.S. interstate highways, four U.S. highways, and 12 Illinois highways. Pace provides bus transit services within the county. Four different Metra commuter rail lines ( Metra Electric Main Line , Southwest Service , Rock Island District and Heritage Corridor ) connect Will County with
1480-461: The state, each comprising one or more of Illinois' 102 counties . The jurisdiction of seven of these circuits courts are solely within the confines of a single county ; these are Cook , Kane , Will , DuPage , Lake , McHenry (all Chicago metropolitan area counties), and St. Clair in Metro East . The other 18 circuits each contain between two and 12 counties. The Circuit Court of Cook County
1520-520: The voters of Cook County, Illinois were asked to vote on the following: Shall each of the persons listed be retained in office as Judge of the Appellate Court, First Judicial District? Michael J. Gallagher, Yes or No Margaret Stanton McBride, Yes or No Additional instructions on the ballot made clear that "no judge listed is running against any other judge" and that voters were able to vote "yes" on both, "no" on both, or "yes" on one and "no" on
1560-408: Was $ 29,811. About 5.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.0% of those under 18 and 5.6% of those 65 or older. Will County is governed by a 22-member county board elected from 11 districts. Each district elects two members. The county executive, county clerk, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder of deeds, state's attorney, and sheriff are all elected in
1600-574: Was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.58 inches (40 mm) in January to 4.34 inches (110 mm) in July. As of the 2010 Census , there were 677,560 people, 225,256 households, and 174,062 families residing in the county. The population density was 809.6 inhabitants per square mile (312.6/km ). There were 237,501 housing units at an average density of 283.8 per square mile (109.6/km ). The racial makeup of
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