Procurement Opportunities | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts
Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts Administration of a Judicial Performance Evaluation Program
Introduction
The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to administer a Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) program on behalf of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 58 which governs administration of the program, the successful contractor will work closely with the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee and its chair to administer a JPE program designed to evaluate and enhance the professional performance of Judges through confidential survey data collection, statistical analysis, and facilitated professional development feedback to promote excellence, professionalism, and accountability within the Illinois judiciary.
This Request for Proposal is issued pursuant to the Illinois Judicial Branch Procurement Code and applicable Illinois Supreme Court administrative policies governing procurement and contracting.
Background
The Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) program provides confidential feedback to judges regarding courtroom performance and professional conduct.
The program has several core purposes:
- Provide judges with constructive performance feedback;
- Identify professional development opportunities;
- Promote judicial excellence; and
- Support public trust, transparency and accountability in the judiciary
The Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) program, established in 1988 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 58 to promote judicial excellence and competence, is designed to support continuous improvement of courtroom performance among Illinois circuit and associate judges. Although participation was voluntary at the program’s inception, the Illinois Supreme Court made the evaluation process mandatory on December 1, 2008, requiring every circuit and associate judge in the state to undergo evaluations during their judicial tenure. With approximately 920 judgeships statewide, around 670 judges meet the current criteria for evaluation in a given year based on the following:
- Circuit or Associate Judge;
- Completed at least 3 contiguous years on the bench, but no more than 18 years;
- Not completed a JPE in the last 5 calendar years (eligibility for random selection was previously once in a judicial career). For example, if a judge completed a JPE evaluation in 2017, they are eligible to be randomly selected again in 2022;
- Not currently a candidate for judicial office; and
- Judge presided over a regular court calendar the past 2 years (i.e. this may exclude some Chief or Presiding Judges in certain circuits that have been primarily in an administrative role).
The program’s core objective is to enhance judicial performance and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary through a structured process of assessment and education. To accomplish this, the JPE program administers confidential surveys to attorneys, court staff, and other judicial partners who have interacted professionally with the judge. These surveys collect subjective yet essential feedback that is compiled through confidential data collection and statistical analysis, followed by the preparation of written evaluation reports. Trained judicial facilitators meet privately with each evaluated judge to review the results, provide context, and discuss opportunities for improvement. All information shared through the evaluation—including survey responses, analysis, and facilitation discussions—is strictly confidential and accessible only to the judge and facilitator, except under limited circumstances as otherwise authorized under Supreme Court Rule 58. Through this confidential and constructive process, the JPE program aims to foster professional growth, support judicial competence, and reinforce trust in the Illinois judiciary.
Required Attachment Documents
Attachment A – Cost Proposal [as required in Section 6.6 - See Attached RFP for Full Details]
Attachment B – Vendor Bid Certifications Form [See Attached Form]
Attachment C – References
Attachment D – Standard Vendor Agreement for Goods and Services [See Attached Form]
Attachment F – Company Organization and Diversity Questionnaire [See Attached Form]
Submission Instructions and Dates
Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than October 5, 2026, at 5PM CT.
Late submissions will not be considered.
- RFP Issued: August 10, 2026
- Written Questions Due: August 31, 2026
- Responses to Written Questions to be posted: September 14, 2026
- Proposal Deadline: October 5, 2026
- Evaluation Period: 30 days; November 4, 2026
- Notice of Intent to Award: December 2, 2026
- Contract Start Date: Anticipated January 1, 2027
Procurement Contacts
All communications regarding this RFP must be directed to:
Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
Court Services Division Attn: Jacque Rogers Address: 3101 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, IL 62704
Alternatively, submissions may be sent by e-mail to:
John Chatz, Chief of eBusiness & Data Strategies: jchatz@illinoiscourts.gov
Jacque Rogers, Interim Director, Court Services Division: jrogers@illinoiscourts.gov
Jana Brooks, Court Programs Administrator: jbrooks@illinoiscourts.gov
Unauthorized contact with other personnel may result in disqualification of the proposer.