Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 44
Committee Comments
(January 1, 2023)
Effective January 1, 2023, Rule 63 is repealed and replaced by the adoption of the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct of 2023. Comments below are retained to document Rule 44 's history.
(December 16, 2020)
The prohibition against photographing courtroom proceedings was formerly part of Supreme Court Rule 63. It has been relocated and expanded for a number of reasons. First, Rule 63 is a part of the Canons of Judicial Ethics, and the matters covered by this Rule are not predominantly related to judicial ethics. Second, the increased use of remote court appearances required that the Court provide additional guidance for the use of live streaming court appearances to preserve public access to the courts. Finally, the process of revising the Rule brought to light other instances in which courtroom photography or video are already permitted or are otherwise desirable.
APPENDIX
MR No. 2634.
Order entered April 16, 2007; amended February 2, 2017.
Any security cameras installed in the courtrooms in the various circuits shall be in accordance with the following standards; (1) security cameras are to be placed in areas of the courtroom such that there is no video recording of the jury or witnesses; (2) audio recordings of the proceedings are prohibited in connection with security cameras; (3) use of such cameras is limited to security purposes and any video tape produced therefrom shall remain the property of the court and may not be used for evidentiary purposes by the parties or included in the record on appeal; (4) security cameras shall be monitored by designated court personnel only; and (5) signs shall be posted in and outside of the courtroom notifying those present of the existence of the court surveillance.
All recordings from security cameras monitoring court facilities are the property of the local circuit courts and are deemed to be in the possession of the local circuit courts notwithstanding actual possession by another party