(a)Responsibilities. A conference of the chief circuit judges shall meet regularly to consider
problems relating to the administration of the circuit courts and such other matters as may from time to time be referred to the conference by this court.
(b)Membership, Officers. The duly elected chief judge of each judicial circuit shall be a member of the conference of chief circuit judges. The chief judges shall select one of their number to serve as chairman of the conference and another to serve as vice-chairman. The chairman and vice-chairman shall serve two-year terms, beginning on January 1 of each even-numbered year and ending on December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
(c)Meetings. The conference shall meet at such times and places as may be designated by the members.
(d)Secretary. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall be secretary of the conference.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 42 brings together the chief judge of every judicial circuit into a single conference that meets regularly to work through issues in circuit court administration, along with any other matters the Supreme Court refers to it. The chief judges elect one of their own as chairman and another as vice-chairman, each serving a two-year term running from January of an even-numbered year through December of the following odd-numbered year.
The conference sets its own meeting schedule, and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts serves as its secretary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who belongs to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges?
The duly elected chief judge of every judicial circuit in Illinois.
What does the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges discuss?
Problems relating to the administration of the circuit courts and other matters the Supreme Court refers to it.
How long do the conference's chairman and vice-chairman serve?
Two-year terms, running from January 1 of an even-numbered year through December 31 of the following odd-numbered year.
Who acts as secretary for the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges?
The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
How is the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges different from the Judicial Conference in Rule 41?
The Conference of Chief Circuit Judges is limited to chief circuit judges addressing circuit administration, while the Judicial Conference under Rule 41 is a broader, 29-member strategic planning body for the entire judicial branch.
Amendment History
Adopted September 29, 1978, effective November 1, 1978; amended June 15, 1982, effective July 1, 1982.
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
Also known as:conference of chief circuit judgeschief judges meeting illinoiscircuit court administration conferencerule 42 chief judgeswho leads circuit court administration