SPRINGFIELD — For the first time ever, still pictures and limited video recording will be allowed in Illinois courtrooms.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced a policy change last week that allows cameras and recorders in trial courts on an experimental and limited basis, effective immediately.
“This is another step to bring more transparency and more accountability to the Illinois court system,” Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride said in a prepared statement.
Prior to the policy change, Illinois was one of 14 states in the country to ban all cameras in trial courts. For the past several years, Illinois media organizations have lobbied against the ban of cameras in trail courts.
“We have long advocated for a system of allowing cameras and recorders that preserves the decorum of the courtroom, and for sensible guidelines to protect identities of those who need it,” said President of the Illinois News Broadcasting Association Jennifer Fuller.
According to Fuller, the Illinois court system has banned cameras in trail courtrooms in the past “because of a fear that cases may get out of control, and concern for victims and judges.”
The use of cameras and recorders in trail courtrooms will allow the news media to offer “more comprehensive coverage” of trails.
“Viewers and listeners will be able to see and hear exactly how witnesses, attorneys and judges interact in the courtroom — in their own words and mannerisms, rather than through descriptions or artist drawings,” said Fuller.
The policy change will be implemented on a “circuit by circuit” basis. The Chief Judge in each of the state’s 23 circuits must apply to the Illinois Supreme Court, before they can operate cameras and recorders in their courtrooms.
“As each Chief Judge decides to apply for the change, they’ll have to wait for approval from the Supreme Court, and then the system can begin,” said Fuller. “Newsrooms all over the state are already getting themselves ready for this, and keeping in touch with their local courts to help facilitate this process.”
Trial judges will have wide discretion to control the potential negative effects of cameras, including the option to bar photography of police informants and victims of violent crimes. Each courtroom in the circuit will be allowed two television cameras and two still cameras.
Cameras and recorders will not be allowed in juvenile trials, divorces cases, adoption cases and child custody cases. They are still banned in federal trial courts located in Illinois.
The Illinois Supreme Court is allowing the policy change on an experimental basis to give participants time to determine if media access and fair trails can co-exist.
Fuller is optimistic the policy change will eventually become permanent.
“It is my hope that this trial run for cameras and recorders in the courts is made permanent,” said Fuller. “I think that once judges and other court officials see how their trials can be covered well, without interruption, it will make the judicial system more accessible and accountable. Newer technologies are making our tools easier to maneuver, meaning we can be less conspicuous as we do our jobs.”