summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Judicial Districts Act of 2021 and the Judicial Vacancies Act. Provides that if a vacancy occurs in the Supreme Court, an appointment must be made as provided in the Act to fill that vacancy for the remainder of that justice's term of office. Creates a judicial nomination commission to be comprised of the following members: (1) one nonlawyer appointed by the Governor who will serve as chair of the commission; (2) one nonlawyer appointed by the President of the Senate; (3) one nonlawyer appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; (4) one nonlawyer appointed by the Speaker of the House; (5) one nonlawyer appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; (6) one nonlawyer appointed by the Attorney General; and (7) 5 lawyers to elected by secret ballot by the members of the Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, and Will County Bar Association. Provides that the judicial nomination commission is to review, investigate, and nominate to the Governor a list of 3 applicants to fill each vacancy, and the Governor will then appoint one of the 3 applicants to fill that vacancy for the remainder of the vacating justice's term. Requires that any vacancy must be filled by a member of the same political party as the vacating justice's political party.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new process for filling vacancies on the Supreme Court, requiring that if a vacancy occurs, an appointment must be made to fill that position for the remainder of the current justice's term. To facilitate this, a judicial nomination commission will be created, composed of seven non-lawyers appointed by various state leaders (Governor, President of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, and Attorney General) and five lawyers elected by members of several county and state bar associations. This commission will review and investigate applicants, then submit a list of three nominees to the Governor, who will then appoint one of those three to fill the vacancy. Crucially, any appointment must be filled by someone belonging to the same political party as the justice who vacated the seat.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/10/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...