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 11-5-2025
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From the Chambers of Chief Judge Robert K. Villa:
Welcome to our Kane Courts Quarterly Fall newsletter. Highlights in this edition include a visit to our judicial circuit by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford, a spotlight on the Kane County Child Advocacy Center's facility dog Captain and his handler Sara, and new courthouse wayfinder kiosks to help court goers find their case information more efficiently.
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Kane County Attorneys Honored for Donating Over 1,000 Hours of Volunteer Legal Service to Community
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Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford joined 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Robert Villa, and members of the Kane County Bar Foundation and Kane County Bar Association in recognizing three local attorneys for their outstanding commitment to providing free legal assistance to those in need.
During a recent gathering in St. Charles, attorneys Peter Follenweider (top photo), Laura Conroy (middle photo), and Shelly Johnson (bottom photo) were honored for contributing dozens of hours of pro bono service.
Collectively, Kane County attorneys have donated over1,000 hours of pro bono volunteer service to self-represented litigants this year.
READ MORE
Photo Credits: James Harvey Photography
| | Jury Commission Room Relocates to Improve Accessibility | | |
The Kane County Jury Commission Room has officially moved from Room 230 to Room 122 at the Kane County Courthouse in an effort to better serve the public and support the legal community.
The new location on the first floor offers improved accessibility for jurors, especially those with mobility challenges. The move is part of the Court’s ongoing efforts to create a more welcoming and efficient experience for all who serve.
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| | Trading Places: Visits to (and from) the Courthouse | | |
The 16th Judicial Circuit hosts schools from around Kane County every academic year for tours of the Kane County Judicial Center. Ten school groups came for an insider's look at the Criminal Division for the 16th Judicial Circuit this year. Students are given the opportunity to watch courtroom proceedings (open to the public), including jury trials, status hearings and various petitions.
A 16th Judicial Circuit Judge also meets with students, where they are able to ask questions about careers in the legal field, as well as the day-to-day life of a judge.
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| | Find Your Way With New Kiosks at Kane County Courthouses | | | The 16th Judicial Circuit has launched its new Court Wayfinding Kiosks, located in the Kane County Judicial Center. These kiosks are designed to help court goers find essential information about the court buildings and their court date.
READ MORE
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Quilts of Valor
On October 21, Judge Christine Downs attended a meeting at the Montgomery Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for their Quilts of Valor program. She discussed the 16th Judicial Circuit's Veterans Treatment Court while meeting with the quilters, and thanking them for their support of the program.
Photo left to right: In 2024, Chief Judge Robert Villa, Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo (receiving his Quilt of Valor), Judge Christine Downs
READ MORE about the 16th Circuit's Specialty Treatment Courts.
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Judge Cruz Wins Award at Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast
16th Judicial Circuit Judge René Cruz was honored on September 12 as the keynote speaker at 2nd Ward Alderwoman's Juany Garza's 20th Annual Aurora Hispanic Pioneers Breakfast.
The event honored various Latino elected officials serving the Aurora community.
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Illinois Supreme Court's Inaugural Summit of Domestic Violence
The Illinois Supreme Court hosted its Inaugural Summit on Domestic Violence, in collaboration with the Illinois Judicial College, in Tinley Park, Illinois on September 16-17, 2025. Judges Reginald Campbell, William Engerman, and Lawrence Lobb attended the summit.
Over 250 Judges and various justice partners throughout Illinois were in attendance, featuring experts from across the country on danger assessments, orders of protection, stalking, and informed trauma courts.
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Kane County Illuminates Kane County Courthouse and Government Center in Green to Honor Veterans
The Kane County Board has proclaimed November 4–11, 2025, as Veterans’ Week in Kane County, honoring the men and women who have bravely served in the United States Armed Forces. The Kane County Government Center and the Kane County Courthouse, both in Geneva, will be illuminated in green.
The proclamation recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of the 16,000-plus veterans who call Kane County home, acknowledging their vital role in preserving the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by all Americans.
READ MORE
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Kane County Courthouse
Decoration Schedule
Be on the lookout for snowflakes during the week of November 17!
While the city of Geneva prepares for the annual Christmas Walk, the Kane County Courthouse (a.k.a. Third Street Courthouse) will also be transformed inside with its own decorations.
For over forty years, the rotunda in the courthouse is decorated from top to bottom with over 100 snowflakes that are two feet in diameter. Snowflakes remain up on display until February.
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Upcoming 2025 All Kane County Court Holiday Closures
November 11 (Veteran's Day)
November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
November 28 (Day after Thanksgiving)
December 25 (Christmas Day)
December 26 (Day after Christmas)
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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 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 Call-In Service
(630) 406-7126
No Spanish interpreters are available
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Lawyer in the Lobby, Kane County Courthouse Lobby
Free Civil Law Help Available Every Friday
100 S. Third Street, Geneva, IL
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
If you are a self-represented litigant (representing yourself in court without a lawyer) who is experiencing a civil law issue in Kane County, there is a weekly opportunity to speak to a lawyer for 15 minutes for FREE every Friday at the Kane County Courthouse.
Lawyers will help with civil matters such as landlord/tenant, eviction, foreclosures, name changes, small claims, estates/wills, and guardianships.
For more information, visit the Public Resources page of the Kane County Bar Association's website.
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