DuPage County To Get Cameras, Microphones In Courtrooms
WHEATON, Ill. (CBS) -- The Illinois Supreme Court will issue an order Monday permitting live broadcast coverage of trials in DuPage County.
Chicago, Cook County and another of the collar counties might not be far behind.
To date, the closest televised trials have come to Chicago is Kankakee. Nine circuits encompassing 13 counties have permission, under a pilot project announced in January by the Illinois Supreme Court, which sets the ground rules for trial coverage.
Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride said he has heard few, if any, complaints where cameras and microphones are allowed in, as part of the pilot project.
"I think the significance in DuPage County is it's so close, media market-wise, to Chicago, that it might push the ball down the field to the goal line to get us moving in Cook County further," Kilbride said.
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Kilbride said his media coordinator, Joseph Tybor, has had extensive discussions with Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, who has expressed support for concept of live trial broadcasts.
Kilbride says he expects Cook and Kane Counties to seek permission for live broadcasts in the next few weeks, with approval in both circuits expected before year's end.
In addition to DuPage County, the Supreme Court also will approve Monday live broadcast of trials in the nine-county First Judicial Circuit in southern Illinois, encompassing Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson Counties.
