(a) Duties. There shall be a Judicial Conference to consider the work of the courts and to
suggest improvements in the administration of justice. The Judicial Conference shall be the body to strategically plan for the Illinois judicial branch.
Rule 41.Judicial Conference
Article I. General Rules · Last amended 2018 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 41 creates the Illinois Judicial Conference, a 29-member body chaired by the Chief Justice that studies court operations and sets strategic direction for the judicial branch.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 41
(b) Membership. (1) The membership of the Judicial Conference shall consist of 29 members as follows:
(A) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, who shall preside over the conference as chairperson;
(B) A justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois;
(C) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts;
(D) An appellate court judge;
(E) The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County;
(F) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges;
(G) A judge who is a member of the Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees;
(H) A judge who is a member of the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice;
(I) Seven judges as follows: three judges from the First Judicial District and one judge from each of the other four Judicial Districts;
(J) Three clerks of court, at least two of whom shall be circuit court clerks;
(K) Three trial court administrators or court administrative staff;
(L) Three attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois;
(M) Three members of the public; and
(N) A person who is not a judge but who is involved with the judicial branch or administration of justice. (2)(A) All members shall be appointed by the Supreme Court except those members serving on the Judicial Conference by nature of their position designated in subparagraphs (b)(1)(A), (C), (E), and (F). (B) All members serving on the Judicial Conference by nature of their position designated in subparagraphs (b)(1)(A), (C), (E), and (F) shall serve on the Judicial Conference so long as they hold that position. Of the remaining members appointed by the Supreme Court, one-third shall initially be appointed to a two-year term, one-third shall initially be appointed to a three-year term, and one-third shall initially be appointed to a four-year term. All members appointed or reappointed following these inaugural terms shall serve three-year terms. Other than the inaugural membership, no member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms (six years), subject to the discretion of the Supreme Court.
(c) Other Committees, Task Forces, and Work Groups. Subject to the approval of the
Supreme Court, the Judicial Conference may establish such other committees, task forces, and work groups as necessary to further the work of the conference.
(d) Meetings of Conference. The conference shall meet at least once annually at a place and on a date to be designated by the Chief Justice.
(e) Administration. Under the direction of the Chief Justice, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall staff the Judicial Conference.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 41 establishes the Judicial Conference as the body charged with strategic planning for the Illinois judicial branch and with suggesting improvements to how the courts run. The Chief Justice chairs it, and its 29 seats bring together Supreme Court and Appellate Court judges, the Cook County chief judge, leadership of the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges, clerks, court administrators, attorneys, and members of the public.
Most members serve staggered three-year terms after an initial staggered rollout, and members generally cannot serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. The Conference can create committees, task forces, and work groups with Supreme Court approval, and it meets at least once a year at a time and place the Chief Justice sets. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts staffs the Conference under the Chief Justice's direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Illinois Judicial Conference do?
It studies the work of the courts, suggests improvements to the administration of justice, and serves as the strategic planning body for the judicial branch.
Who chairs the Judicial Conference?
The Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
How many members sit on the Judicial Conference?
29 members, drawn from the judiciary, clerks, court administrators, the bar, and the public.
How long is a term on the Judicial Conference?
Three years after the initial staggered terms, with members generally limited to two consecutive three-year terms.
How often does the Judicial Conference meet?
At least once annually, at a place and date the Chief Justice designates.
Committee Comments
(Sept. 28, 2018)
On Sept. 28, 2018, the Supreme Court reconstituted the Illinois Judicial Conference into an active strategic planning and policy body for the judicial branch of the State of Illinois. Through strategic planning and in consultation with those who work in and with the judicial branch, the Judicial Conference will develop and implement the judicial branch’s mission, values, and goals in order to achieve sustainable court governance, a more uniform court system, and an impartial, accessible, and efficient justice system.
Amendment History
Amended effective July 1, 1971; amended March 1, 1993, effective immediately; amended September 23, 2008, effective immediately; amended Oct. 11, 2012, effective immediately; amended Oct. 4, 2013, eff. Nov. 1, 2013; amended Dec. 9, 2014, eff. Oct. 1, 2014, nunc pro tunc; amended Sept. 28, 2018, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.
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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