Circuit court statisticsJune 1999Preliminary statistical data compiled by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts show the following with regard to law jury cases over $50,000 terminated by verdict in the circuit courts during 1998.
Electronic imaging of court documentsDecember 1999On October 1, 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court entered the following administrative order (M.R. 16182): Until further order of the Court, St. Clair County is authorized to function as a pilot site for electronic imaging of documents filed in traffic (TR) cases.
Judicial appointments and retirementsNovember 1999(1) The supreme court, pursuant to its constitutional assignment authority, has made the following assignment:
Judicial independenceJanuary 1999The following remarks, slightly edited, were delivered by Supreme Court Judge John L. Nickels at the joint ISBA-IJA dinner in honor of the Illinois Supreme Court, held on December 11, 1998, in Chicago
Judicial salariesJune 1999On June 15, 1990, the 86th General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 192.
Legislature receives report of chief justiceMarch 1999Editor's note: Pursuant to section 17, article VI, of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Chief Justice Charles E. Freeman, on behalf of the supreme court, recently submitted to the General Assembly an annual report suggesting improvements in the administration of justice.
Letters to the editorFebruary 1999The letter to the editor immediately below has been edited, and its author has requested that his or her name be withheld.
A message to the mediaApril 1999In People v. Smith, S. Ct. Doc. No. 81491 (Feb. 19, 1999), the Illinois Supreme Court, speaking through Judge James Heiple, reversed outright defendant's murder conviction and death sentence imposed in the circuit court of Cook County
New supreme court committeeMay 1999On April 6, 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court created the Special Supreme Court Committee on Capital Cases (M.R. 15833) "to study the trial and sentencing processes in capital cases in Illinois, including the respective functions of the prosecution, defense counsel, and the judiciary.
NoticeDecember 1999On October 1, 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court entered the following order (M.R. 16183) regarding "resignation procedure for judges":
Recent appellate court opinion in briefJuly 1999People v. Norris, 303 Ill.App.3d 163 (1st Dist. 1999, Campbell, P.J.). In a jury trial, defendant was convicted of felonies and sentenced to imprisonment.
Recent appellate court opinions in briefSeptember 1999People v. Davis, 304 Ill. App. 3d 427 (2nd Dist. 1999, Rapp, J.). Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of first degree murder and felonies and sentenced to imprisonment.
Recent appellate court opinions in briefJune 1999MBNA American Bank, N.A. v. Cardoso, 302 Ill.App.3d 710 (1st Dist. 1998, Buckley, J.). Plaintiff brought a collection suit for $6,233 against defendant.
Recent appellate court opinions in briefMay 1999People v. Vich, 302 Ill. App. 3d 214 (2nd Dist. 1998, McLaren, J.). Defendant was convicted of aggravated discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.2(a)(2)).
Recent appellate court opinions in briefApril 1999In re J.L.R., 301 Ill.App. 3d 498 (2nd Dist. 1998, Geiger, P.J.). In respondent's negotiated plea agreement to felony drug allegations in his delinquency petition, the respondent and the state agreed that respondent would receive jail time and other conditions in the recommended disposition in exchange for his plea of guilty.
Recent appellate court opinions in briefMarch 1999George v. Ospalik, 299 Ill. App. 3d 888 (3rd Dist. 1998, Homer, J.). Plaintiffs' case was heard by a panel of arbitrators pursuant to the supreme court mandatory arbitration rules.
Recent appellate court opinions in briefFebruary 1999People v. Williams, 299 Ill. App. 3d 791 (4th Dist. 1998, Steigmann, J.). Defendant pleaded guilty to public indecency and was sentenced to jail.
Recent Illinois Supreme Court decisionDecember 1999In Tosado v. Miller, S. Ct. Doc. No. 84712 (Oct. 21, 1999), the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the appellate court that in medical malpractice actions against public entities or their employees a one-year rather than a two-year statute of limitations applies (293 Ill. App. 3d 544), resolving conflicting decisions from that court.
Recent Illinois Supreme Court decisionJuly 1999People v. Atkinson, ____ Ill. 2d ____ (No. 83426, June 17, 1999). In a Vermilion County jury trial, defendant was found guilty, on the basis of accountability, of burglary for knowingly entering a motor vehicle.