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We at the 16th Judicial Circuit are committed to providing equal access to a fair and impartial system of justice that fosters public trust and confidence.
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The 16th Judicial Circuit's seasonal newsletter for Kane County residents.
Release date October 26, 2026
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From the Chambers of Chief Judge Robert K. Villa
Welcome to our Kane Courts Quarterly Fall edition. Highlights in this issue include our Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a Look Inside the Kane County Diagnostic Center, New Grant-Funded Projects Including a Family Treatment Court, and Updates on the NEST Building.
| | | Kane County Judicial Center Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month | | |
Employees recently gathered at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the history, cultures and contributions of the Hispanic community.
Hosted by the five Hispanic judges currently serving as 16th Judicial Circuit Judges, the event honored the growing diversity of the judiciary and the many staff members who help serve people throughout the court system. Attendees also shared their family connections to Hispanic heritage by placing pins on a map.
More than 34% of Kane County residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, the county’s largest minority population. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed Sept. 15–Oct. 15.
| | Purpose, Service, Impact: A Look Inside the Kane County Diagnostic Center | | |
Get to know the Kane County Diagnostic Center (KCDC), the designated psychology department for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois. Director and Chief Psychologist Dr. Alexandra Tsang explains how KCDC provides court-ordered forensic evaluations and other services to adult and juvenile courts of the 16th Judicial Circuit.
Learn how the center’s specialized team helps courts understand the factors affecting a person’s circumstances, assess risk, and identify treatment and community resources. Dr. Tsang also discusses KCDC’s trauma-informed approach, its APA-accredited internship program, and plans to expand services to neighboring counties.
| | Kane County Receives $136K+ Grant Funding for a Family Treatment Court and to Expand Law Library Services | |
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Kane County has received two separate grants from the Illinois Supreme Court, administered by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, totaling $136,720. Each grant supports a different project: one helps establish a Family Treatment Court, while the other expands public access to court and legal resources through the Kane County Law Library and Self Help Legal Center.
| | | | Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court Celebrates Four Graduates | | |
This month, Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court (DRC) celebrated four graduates who finished one of the justice system's toughest programs. Now in its 26th year, DRC is a voluntary program for high-risk people with substance use disorders. Participants plead guilty, pay restitution, and receive the strictest probation. They must complete all recommended treatment, work or go to school, take drug tests with little notice, appear in court weekly at first, and often change their routines and social circles. The program usually lasts 24 to 36 months.
Graduates often say it isn't a second chance handed to them, but a structure they had to build themselves. "Drug rehabilitation court did not magically fix my life," said Mark, who finished probation successfully for the first time. "What it did was give me the opportunity and the accountability to start fixing it myself."
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Three Kane County Judges Are Officially Sworn In
The 16th Judicial Circuit of Kane County held a formal swearing-in ceremony on September 28, 2026 at the Kane Branch Court recognizing three judges serving in the 16th Judicial Circuit:
Circuit Judge Julia Ann Yetter, sworn in by Circuit Judge René Cruz (top photo)
Circuit Judge Andrea Zenker, sworn in by Chief Judge Robert Villa (middle photo)
Associate Judge Vincent Michael Coyle, sworn in by Circuit Judge Bianca Camargo (bottom photo)
The ceremony formally recognized the elevation of Judge Yetter from associate to circuit and the appointments of Judges Zenker and Coyle.
Photo credit: James Harvey Photography
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Veterans Treatment Court Graduate Supporting Others
Marine veteran Robert Lundquist is turning his recovery into a way to help others. After earning his Certified Recovery Support Specialist credential from Elgin Community College, he hopes to support people facing addiction and show fellow veterans that recovery is possible.
Lundquist recently graduated from Kane County’s Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) after completing its rigorous, two-year program. He is now 30 months sober and says he feels “strong-minded and alive again.” The program combines accountability with treatment and support to help veterans build more stable lives.
| Chief Judge Villa Competes in CASA Fundraiser
Chief Judge Robert Villa was among 11 local community members who performed alongside professional dancers from Dance Lab at CASA Kane County’s first Dancing with the Local Stars fundraiser on October 7, 2026.
St. Charles Mayor and retired 16th Circuit Judge Clint Hull joined fellow Kane County mayors on the judging panel. The event raised more than $65,000 to support CASA’s advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
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Circuit Judge Elizabeth K. Flood Will Serve as Next Kane County Chief Judge
Kane County Circuit Judges have elected the Honorable Elizabeth K. Flood to serve as Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit. Her three-year term begins December 7, 2026, when Chief Judge Robert Villa’s term concludes. Under Kane County Local Rule 1.05, which took effect September 8, 2023, a chief judge serves a three-year term and may not be elected to consecutive terms.
Judge Flood graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana (BS Finance 1992) and the University of Illinois College of Law (J.D. 1995). She is only the third woman in Kane County history selected to serve as Chief Judge of the 16th Circuit. Kane County Circuit Judges appointed Judge Flood as an Associate Judge on January 25, 2013, and the Illinois Supreme Court elevated her to Circuit Judge on October 15, 2019, following the resignation of Justice Robert B. Spence. She was elected in November 2020 to her current term serving as an at-large Circuit Judge.
Before joining the bench, Judge Flood spent 17 years at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. She prosecuted cases in the criminal and juvenile courts for 7 years, then spent 10 years in the office’s civil division, representing the county and its officials in federal, state and appellate courts.
Judge Flood currently serves in the Civil Law Division, where she presides over chancery and miscellaneous remedy cases. She will continue serving on the bench in civil court proceedings until she assumes her role as Chief Judge, and Chief Judge Villa will continue as Presiding Judge of the Civil Division until his Chief Judge duties conclude in December.
| | | Family Reading Night With the Judges
Join the Kane County Law Library and the 16th Judicial Circuit for the 23rd Annual Family Reading Night with the Judges.
Kane County Judges Reginald Campbell, Julio César Valdez and Andrea Zenker will read their favorite bedtime stories to children in second grade and younger. Enjoy stories, snacks and laughter, then take a tour of a courtroom. Children must be accompanied by an adult—and pajamas are encouraged. The judges will be wearing theirs! (Pictured above are last year's guest readers, Judges Kevin Busch, M. Lark Cowart, and Keith Johnson.)
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center, second floor, Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles, IL 60175
For more information, call the Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center at 630-406-7126.
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Family Reading Night is a statewide annual event sponsored by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias and the Illinois Center for the Book.
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Annual Law Day Essay Contest Becomes Two $1,000 Senior Scholarships
Just in time for Kane County's 2027 graduating class, the Annual Law Day Essay Contest sponsored by the Kane County Bar Foundation and Kane County Courts is becoming a scholarship opportunity. Two high school seniors will each receive a $1,000 Law Day Scholarship in recognition of their writing and their understanding of the principles celebrated through Law Day, observed annually on May 1.
Applicants will submit a 1,000–1,500 word essay based on this year's theme, selected by the American Bar Association: From Sea to Shining Sea: Law and the Future of American Democracy. Graduating seniors should watch their high school scholarship portals for eligibility and entry details in the coming weeks or check the Kane County Bar Foundation's website.
| | The NEST Building Project is Underway
The NEST (Neutral Exchange Supervised Time) Family Center project is currently underway developed in a vacant building behind the Kane County Courthouse at 401 Campbell Street. The Kane County Board donated the building for use as a neutral exchange center, helping address the need for a dedicated place where families can safely exchange children or arrange supervised parenting time.
To learn more about the NEST project, visit the Kane County Bar Foundation's website.
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Divorce and Family Law Help Programs
Free Family Law Help Available Weekly
Family law lawyers volunteer to answer brief divorce and family law questions for self-represented litigants with Kane County cases.
Mondays 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
This is a 15-Minute Walk-In Service
Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center
Kane County Judicial Center, 2nd Floor
37W777 IL RT 38, St. Charles, IL
Spanish interpreters are available
Thursdays 11:00 a.m. - Noon (12:00 p.m.)
This is a 15-Minute Call-In Service
(630) 406-7126
No Spanish interpreters are available
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Lawyer in the Lobby
Free Civil Law Help Available Every Friday
Attorneys from the Kane County Bar Association volunteer to provide brief consultations for people with civil law questions, including landlord/tenant issues, small claims, name changes, and evictions.
Fridays 9:00 a.m. - Noon
This is a 15-Minute Walk-In Service
Kane County Courthouse
100 S. Third Street, Geneva, IL
For more information, visit the Public Resources page of the Kane County Bar Association's website.
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Drivers Privilege Clinic
Free Help with Driver’s License Reinstatement Available on the First Wednesday of Every Month
Attorneys from the Kane County Bar Association volunteer to provide free legal advice to help people get their driving privileges reinstated.
First Wednesday of every month, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This is a Walk-In Service | No reservations are required.
Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center
Kane County Judicial Center, 2nd Floor
37W777 IL RT 38, St. Charles, IL
Bring a copy of your Driving Record Abstract. If you need an interpreter, you must bring someone to interpret for you.
For more information, visit the Drivers Privilege Clinic page of the Kane County Bar Association's website.
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