2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 25 - LEGISLATURE › 25 ILCS 60/ - Judicial Note Act.

(25 ILCS 60/0.01) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.60)
Sec. 0.01. 
		Short title. 
		This Act may be cited as the
Judicial Note Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)
(25 ILCS 60/1) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.61)
Sec. 1. 
		
		
		Every bill, the purpose and effect of which is to increase or decrease
the number of appellate judges, circuit judges, or associate circuit judges
in the State, either directly or indirectly, shall have prepared for it
prior to second reading in the house of introduction a brief explanatory
statement of the need of a change in the number of judges in the particular
county, circuit or district of the State. These statements shall be known
as "judicial notes".
(Source: P.A. 77-1258.)
(25 ILCS 60/2) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.62)
Sec. 2. 
The sponsor of each bill referred to in Section 1 shall present
a copy of the bill, with his requirements for a judicial note, to the
Supreme Court. The judicial note shall be prepared by the Supreme Court and
furnished to the sponsor of the bill within 5 calendar days thereafter;
except that whenever, because of the complexity of the measure, additional
time is required for the preparation of the judicial note the Supreme Court
may so inform the sponsor of the bill and he may approve an extension of
the time within which the note should be furnished, not to extend, however,
beyond June 15 the odd numbered year following the date of request.
Whenever any measure by which a judicial note is requested affects more
than one county, circuit, or judicial district, such effect must be set
forth in the judicial note.
(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)
(25 ILCS 60/3) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.63)
Sec. 3. 
		
		
		Whenever the sponsor of any measure is of the opinion that no judicial
note is necessary, any member of either house may thereafter request that a
note be obtained, and in such case the matter shall be decided by majority
vote of those present and voting in the house of which he is a member.
(Source: P.A. 76-1314.)
(25 ILCS 60/4) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.64)
Sec. 4. 
		
		
		The note shall be factual in nature, as brief and concise as may be, and
shall provide a reliable estimate of the need of a decrease or increase of
judges based upon population and case load of the particular county or
counties, circuit or circuits, or judicial district or districts for which
the change is required. If it is determined that such need can not be
ascertained, the judicial note shall contain a statement to that effect,
setting forth the reasons why a determination of need can not be given.
(Source: P.A. 77-1258.)
(25 ILCS 60/5) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.65)
Sec. 5. 
		
		No comment or opinion shall be included in the judicial note with
regard to the merits of the measure for which the judicial note is
prepared; however, technical or mechanical defects may be noted. The
judicial note shall be prepared in quintuplicate, and the name of the
Supreme Court shall appear at the end of the note and the original of the
judicial note shall be signed by a designee of the Supreme Court.
(Source: P.A. 84-1395.)
(25 ILCS 60/6) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.66)
Sec. 6. 
		
		
		The fact that a judicial note is prepared for any bill shall not
preclude or restrict the appearance before any committee of the General
Assembly of any official or authorized employee of any State board,
commission, department, agency, or other entity who desires to be heard in
support of or in opposition to the measure.
(Source: P.A. 76-1314.)
(25 ILCS 60/7) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.67)
Sec. 7. 

Whenever any committee of either house reports any bill with amendments
of such a nature as will affect the number of judges in the State as stated
in the judicial note relating to the measure at the time of its referral to
the committee, there shall be included with the report of the committee a
statement of the effect of the change proposed by the amendment reported as
desired by a majority of the committee. In like manner, whenever any
measure is amended on the floor of either house in such manner as to affect
the number of judges in the State as stated in the judicial note relating
to the measure prior to such amendment, a majority of such house may
propose that no action shall be taken upon the amendment until the sponsor
of the amendment shows to the members a statement of the judicial effect of
his proposed amendment.
(Source: P.A. 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)
(25 ILCS 60/8) (from Ch. 63, par. 42.68)
Sec. 8. 
		
		
		The provisions of this Act are severable and if any part or provision
hereof shall be void the decision of the court so holding shall not affect
or impair any of the remaining parts or provisions of the Act.
(Source: P.A. 76-1314.)