Judicial circuit for Sangamon County applies for pilot program

WCBU | By Associated Press

Published July 7, 2015 at 9:49 AM CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A judicial circuit that includes Sangamon County has applied to take part in the Illinois Supreme Court's pilot program for extended media coverage. Illinois' 7th Judicial Circuit is the latest to apply for the program to add cameras and microphones to courtrooms. Fifteen judicial circuits representing 41 counties, including Cook, Peoria, Tazewell and McLean Counties, participate in the pilot program that launched in 2012. Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt has advocated for media coverage in the 7th Judicial Circuit, and says the courts "belong to all." State Supreme Court spokesman Joe Tybor says the 7th Judicial Circuit would be an important test area for the pilot program.

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