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HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The role of the judiciary in Illinois is vitally
3important to individuals, businesses, units of local
4government, and other entities; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The confidence of our residents in our judiciary
6is an important part of the fabric of State government; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Any question about the ability, experience, or
8integrity of the associate judges who perform central functions
9of the judiciary detracts from the esteem in which the Illinois
10judiciary is held; and
 
11    WHEREAS, A systematic program to improve the performance of
12associate judges would improve the quality of justice and boost
13the confidence of our citizens in State government; therefore,
14be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17the Illinois Supreme Court is urged to consider a system for
18the evaluation and removal of associate judges that could be
19administered by the Administrative Office of the Illinois
20Courts; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That an evaluation system could include
2assessment and ranking mechanisms for an appraisal of associate
3judges by the circuit judges of the judicial circuit within
4which the associate judges serve; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That an evaluation program with this purpose
6could include rankings on factors such as: (1) knowledge of the
7substantive law and the applicable rules and procedures; (2)
8ability to treat participants with fairness, dignity, and
9respect; (3) avoidance of conflicts and improprieties; (4)
10quality of written and oral communications; (5) participation
11in professional development activities; and (6) efficient
12management of the courtroom and calendar; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That an evaluation system might also include the
14participation of bar associations active within the circuit to
15provide comments from lawyers who practice before associate
16judges; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Supreme Court might consider an
18evaluation system that provides that any associate judge who is
19rated in the lowest 10% of associate judges in the circuit in
20which he or she serves for any 2 years within any 3-year period
21be removed from office; and be it further
 
22    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this Resolution be

 

 

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1delivered to the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.