IL Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride '81 in the News
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
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Posted by: Max Rodriguez
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, '81, announced that five more counties in Illinois will allow news cameras and audio devices in some courtrooms. Read more in the Bureau County Republican, "Coverage in the courtroom" Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride is also making the records on appeal available electronically. This will bring the courts closer to eventually making e-business universal throughout the Illinois court system. Since he became Chief Justice in October 2010, Justice Kilbride has pledged to make Illinois court operations more efficient by implementing improvements in technology. "I thank Clinton County for its willingness to test what we believe will be a more effective and expedited process of filing and maintaining the trial court record,” Chief Justice Kilbride said. "This is another important step towards embracing e-business to make Illinois courts more efficient." Read more in WJBC, "Clinton Co. moves to e-records for appeals"
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The Illinios Supreme Court also approved a new rule that will allow jurors in civil trials to ask questions of witnesses. The change, which goes into effect July 1, brings
Illinois in line with more than half of all the states and all of the
federal circuits.
"Based on the comments of those who have used or seen the
procedure at trials, such a rule enhances juror engagement, juror
comprehension and attention to the proceeding and gives jurors a better
appreciation for our system of justice,” Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride
said in a prepared statement.
The court envisions jurors submitting written questions
at the conclusion of questioning by attorneys. The judge will read the
questions to the attorneys outside of the presence of the jury, giving
the lawyers a chance to object. The judge could then decide whether to
go forward with all, some or none of the questions.
"The rule is written so that its implementation rests
with the discretion of the trial judge and with safeguards so that the
testimony it elicits complies with the rules of evidence,” Kilbride
said. Read more in the Quad-City Times, "Court: Jurors can question civil trial witnesses" Read more:
The Peoria Journal-Star, "Jurors will be allowed to ask questions at civil trials"
WTVO, "Jurors To Ask Witnesses Questions in Trials"
The Register-Mail, "Jurors may be allowed to question some witnesses"
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