Courtroom Cameras Headed For Biggest Statewide Test In DuPage
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
After nearly three years set to pause, the Illinois Supreme Court has pressed play on Cook County’s request to allow cameras into criminal courtrooms.
Starting next month, courtrooms at the Leighton Criminal Building will allow media to record video and audio of felony cases.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and Cook County Circuit Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced approval of the pilot program in statements today.
Beginning Jan. 5, media representatives may request to record and photograph hearings and trials in felony courtrooms at 2600 S. California Ave. The first phase of the program will not include bond calls.
Cook County Circuit Court will be the 15th circuit in the state to receive the high court’s approval for extended media coverage. Launched during Justice Thomas L. Kilbride’s term as chief justice, pilots first began in downstate circuits in January 2012.
Cook County joins 40 other counties that permit camera access. Come January, more than 77 percent of the state’s population will live in a county where courtroom cameras are allowed.
Evans submitted an application to allow cameras in Cook County courtrooms in January 2012, but the high court opted to test the new media policies in smaller judicial circuits before allowing the pilot to begin in Cook County.
“The experience with media coverage in other judicial circuits has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is time to extend the pilot program to the most populous county in the state,” Garman said in a written statement.
In October, Evans supplemented the county’s application with a set of proposed local rules that built upon the statewide requirements.
Evans said the pilot program will allow the public to see its own court system “providing justice in action.”
“The public pays for this court — it is their court,” he said. “I think a lot of misunderstandings can be clarified with this kind of direct exposure.”
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
After nearly three years set to pause, the Illinois Supreme Court has pressed play on Cook County’s request to allow cameras into criminal courtrooms.
Starting next month, courtrooms at the Leighton Criminal Building will allow media to record video and audio of felony cases.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and Cook County Circuit Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced approval of the pilot program in statements today.
Beginning Jan. 5, media representatives may request to record and photograph hearings and trials in felony courtrooms at 2600 S. California Ave. The first phase of the program will not include bond calls.
Cook County Circuit Court will be the 15th circuit in the state to receive the high court’s approval for extended media coverage. Launched during Justice Thomas L. Kilbride’s term as chief justice, pilots first began in downstate circuits in January 2012.
Cook County joins 40 other counties that permit camera access. Come January, more than 77 percent of the state’s population will live in a county where courtroom cameras are allowed.
Evans submitted an application to allow cameras in Cook County courtrooms in January 2012, but the high court opted to test the new media policies in smaller judicial circuits before allowing the pilot to begin in Cook County.
“The experience with media coverage in other judicial circuits has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is time to extend the pilot program to the most populous county in the state,” Garman said in a written statement.
In October, Evans supplemented the county’s application with a set of proposed local rules that built upon the statewide requirements.
Evans said the pilot program will allow the public to see its own court system “providing justice in action.”
“The public pays for this court — it is their court,” he said. “I think a lot of misunderstandings can be clarified with this kind of direct exposure.”
Read more in our daily News Update...