Rule 30.Administrative Duties of the Chief Justice and the Administrative Director
Article I. General Rules · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 30 makes the Chief Justice responsible for administering all Illinois courts and creates the Administrative Director position to help carry out that responsibility.
(a)The Chief Justice. The chief justice of the Supreme Court shall be responsible for the
administration of all courts in the State. To assist the chief justice, the court shall appoint an Administrative Director to serve at its pleasure, who shall report directly to the chief justice. If there is a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, the senior justice shall serve temporarily as acting chief justice. Seniority shall be determined as provided in Rule 31. If the chief justice is absent or unable to serve, the senior justice shall serve temporarily as acting chief justice.
(b)The Administrative Director. The Administrative Director of the courts shall be generally responsible for the enforcement of the rules, orders, policies and directives of the Supreme Court and the chief justice relating to matters of administration. At the direction of the chief justice and the Supreme Court, the Administrative Director shall develop, compile and promulgate administrative rules and directives relating to case processing, records and management information services, personnel, budgeting and such other matters as the chief justice and the Supreme Court shall direct. The Administrative Director also shall perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the chief justice or by the Supreme Court.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 30 places overall administrative responsibility for every court in Illinois with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. To help manage that responsibility, the Supreme Court appoints an Administrative Director who serves at the court's pleasure and reports directly to the Chief Justice.
The Administrative Director enforces the rules, orders, and policies the Supreme Court and Chief Justice adopt on administrative matters, and develops rules and directives covering case processing, records, personnel, and budgeting. The rule also covers succession: if the Chief Justice's office is vacant, or the Chief Justice is absent or unable to serve, the most senior justice temporarily steps in as acting chief justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for administering the Illinois court system?
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, under Rule 30(a).
What does the Administrative Director of the Illinois Courts do?
Enforces the Supreme Court's and Chief Justice's administrative rules, orders, and policies, and develops administrative rules covering case processing, records, personnel, and budgeting.
Who reports directly to the Chief Justice?
The Administrative Director, appointed by the Supreme Court to serve at its pleasure.
What happens if the office of Chief Justice becomes vacant?
The senior justice, with seniority determined under Rule 31, temporarily serves as acting chief justice.
Who fills in if the Chief Justice is unable to serve temporarily?
The senior justice serves temporarily as acting chief justice until the Chief Justice returns.
Amendment History
Adopted November 21, 1988, effective January 1, 1989; amended June 22, 2017, eff. July 1, 2017.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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