Illinois Court System
The Supreme Court
Article VI, the Judicial Article of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, provides for a unified, three-tiered judiciary - Circuit Court, Appellate Court, and Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court is the highest court in the State. Cases are normally channeled to the Supreme Court from the Appellate Court, but in cases where a Circuit Court has imposed a death sentence the law allows direct appeal to the Supreme Court, bypassing the Appellate Court. The Supreme Court can pass rules to allow direct appeals in other cases.
The Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in matters that involve legislative redistricting and determining the ability of the Governor to serve in office. The Supreme Court also has discretionary original jurisdiction in cases relating to State revenue and writs of mandamus, prohibition, or habeas corpus.
The Illinois State Supreme Court is comprised of seven Justices; three represent the First Appellate Judicial District (Cook County) and one each represents the remaining four Appellate Judicial Districts. A majority vote of four is required to decide a case.
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