Local courts first for cameras

CHICAGO – A first for Illinois courtrooms will be initiated in the judicial district that includes Whiteside County.

The 14th Judicial Circuit on Tuesday became the first among 23 to be given the go-ahead by the Illinois Supreme Court to allow cameras inside courtrooms.

“Today’s order is a historic one,” Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride said in a news release. “For the first time in state history, citizens not physically present will be able to see and hear proceedings in our trial courts.”

On Jan. 24, the state Supreme Court announced its unanimous approval of a pilot program that would allow electronic and audio coverage, known as extended media, at some proceedings.

District Chief Judge Jeffrey O’Connor applied for the program 1 day after the announcement.

The 14th Circuit includes Whiteside, Henry, Mercer and Rock Island counties.

Kilbride said in the news release Tuesday that the pilot program will “allow us to test the policy we have put in place and see if it is workable in Illinois, or if any changes need to be made before moving toward a full statewide policy.”

O’Connor, who works in Rock Island, said Tuesday in the news release that he already had been in contact with some media and judges to get their input on the program.

He said he plans to have additional meetings with the media, county sheriffs, prosecutors, public defenders, and court administrators to put the pilot project into effect as soon as possible.

Whiteside County State’s Attorney Gary Spencer said in an email Tuesday that he would do his best to comply with the procedures and rules under the program.

On Friday, O’Connor addressed the new program during a brief hearing for Nicholas T. Sheley, who is accused of killing five people in Whiteside County.

His first trial, for the death of 93-year-old Russell Reed, will begin March 5.

Sheley’s attorney, Jeremy Karlin, addressed the issue Friday, saying he hoped that Sheley’s first trial would not be the “test case” under the new program.

Karlin on Friday declined to comment on extended media coverage.

O’Connor had said that if the Supreme Court approved the circuit for the program, the media can request to have news cameras or audio devices during the Sheley trial.