NCJ Number
57341
Date Published
1978
Length
208 pages
Annotation
THIS 1977 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS COURTS PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COURT OPERATIONS BY THE STATE SUPREME, APPELLATE, AND CIRCUIT COURTS. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ARE STRESSED.
Abstract
THE COURT SYSTEM OPERATIONS ARE STUDIED IN TERMS OF THE JURISDICTION, ORGANIZATION, AND CASELOADS OF EACH OF THE THREE TYPES OF COURTS. IN ADDITION, A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE IS ALSO PROVIDED. DURING 1976 AND 1977, 79 NEW JUDGESHIPS WERE CREATED IN THE STATE SYSTEM, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JUDGESHIPS TO 386. SIGNIFICANT STATE LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED DURING 1977. PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1500 HAS RESULTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW SENTENCING PHILOSOPHY IN FELONY CASES. UNDER THIS ACT A SYSTEM OF DETERMINATE SENTENCING HAS BEEN CREATED. ENACTMENT OF SENATE BILL 968 HAS ESTABLISHED A CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM. THE SUPREME COURT COMMITTEE ON EVIDENCE PROPOSED A NEW CODE OF EVIDENCE AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACT A LAW REQUIRING THAT PRETRIAL MOTIONS, IN CRIMINAL CASES, BE FILED WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME FOLLOWING ARRAIGNMENT. THERE WAS A CONTINUED INCREASE IN LITIGATION FILED IN THE CIRCUIT AND APPELLATE COURTS. THE APPELLATE COURT WAS ABLE TO REDUCE COURT BACKLOG BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DISPOSITIONS RENDERED IN 1977, AND BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CASES STILL PENDING AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS ARE APPENDED: THE JUDICIAL ARTICLE OF THE 1970 STATE CONSTITUTION; A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE; JUDICIAL SALARY STRUCTURE; AND GENEALOGY OF THE JUDGES OF THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT. DETAILED STATISTICAL REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)