Three years ago - May 2020 - the Illinois Supreme Court was regularly issuing orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the constant changes imposed on our daily lives and to the court system. Our courts quickly learned how to continue operating from outside the courtroom. Zoom and other remote technologies became our daily routine and kept the trains running in the justice system.

The bar admission ceremony for the 309 new attorneys who passed the February 2023 Bar Exam and three other admittees was held online on May 8.

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced the adoption of new Rule 909 which establishes a statewide framework for courts to utilize “parenting coordinators” to resolve minor issues causing conflict in family law cases. The new Rule is effective immediately.

The Illinois Supreme Court left the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield behind for a day and “rode the circuit” to hear oral arguments at Chicago State University on May 11. A crowd of over 400, including 300 students, were in attendance.

Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Circuit Judge – At Large vacancy in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission), and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have launched the application process for a grant initiative and are extending invitations to join their network of court personnel who assist self-represented litigants (SRLs) and advance access to justice. The application process for the grant is open now through June 26, 2023.

Illinois judges are increasingly being recognized for their dedicated work in courtrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the recent honors received by Illinois judges:

In May 2022, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) awarded the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission a grant for $136,000 to digitize early Supreme Court case files.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced amendments to Supreme Court Rules 298 and 404 regarding the application and filing process of waivers of court fees and assessments. These and earlier amendments to Supreme Court Rules make permanent certain temporary measures which were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bar admission ceremony for the 309 new attorneys who passed the February 2023 Bar Exam and three other admittees will be held online on Monday, May 8, at 1:30 p.m. Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis will preside over the ceremony and administer the oath to the new admittees. Justice Lisa Holder White will make the motion to admit the class and Justice Joy V. Cunningham will second the motion.