Chief judge urges return to in‑court appearances as courthouse upgrades near completion

The Kane County chief judge told the Judicial and Public Safety Committee on Thursday that recent technology upgrades in county courthouses should lead to a renewed emphasis on in‑person court appearances and courtroom use.

The judge said the judicial center’s trial-presentation and electronic-recording technology installation is near completion and that a security station project at the Third Street Courthouse is under construction. “We finally… finishing the install of all the technology that went into the judicial center,” the judge said, noting that new wiring and trial-presentation capability will make courtroom attendance more practical.

The judge criticized routine remote appearances by private lawyers and said some attorneys have taken advantage of Zoom. “Lawyers are becoming lazy,” the judge said, arguing that in‑person proceedings improve lawyer collaboration and court efficiency. The judge acknowledged that some hearings — for example certain abuse‑and‑neglect matters — benefit from remote attendance by litigants but said judges should encourage attorneys to appear in person when appropriate.

Committee members asked how the change would be enforced; the judge said courts can issue general orders requiring in‑person attendance unless a judge grants permission to appear remotely, and that local judges can limit remote appearances in specific divisions. The judge also said local bar association participation — including creation of an attorney lounge at the courthouse funded by the Kane County Bar Association — is part of a plan to make in‑court attendance more attractive.

No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; the judge said further work and coordination with the bar association and court leadership are planned.