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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 June 25, 2026
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From the Chambers of Chief Judge Robert K. Villa
Welcome to our Kane Courts Quarterly Spring/Summer edition. Highlights in this issue include the release of all 14 videos in new Bridging Kane County Courts to the Community series, Law Day essay contest and Spirit Award winners, short how-to video guides on getting married at a Kane County courthouse, and Kane County Diagnostic Center’s prestigious APA accreditation.
| | | Educational 14-Part Court Video Series Now Live | | |
Watch Kane County’s new 14-part short video series, Bridging Kane County Courts to the Community, to learn about court prep, legal resources, traffic tickets, jury duty, and courthouse weddings, directly from judges and real court personnel.
Feel confident, informed, and supported whether you visit one of our six courthouses in person or online.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SERIES
| | Law Day Essay Contest and Spirit Award Winners Announced | | Izzy Pasternak, 1st Place Sophomore Category | | Malyada Medikundam, 1st Place Junior Category | | |
Congratulations to Kane County high school students Izzy Pasternak, Malyada Medikundam, Santiago Garcia, and Anya Amin for their winning Law Day contest essays on “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.”
Congratulations, also, to local attorney Julie Cibulskis, recipient of the first-ever Law Day Spirit Award from Chief Judge Robert Villa.
READ MORE ABOUT THE WINNERS
| | Short Videos On Planning a Kane County Courthouse Wedding | | |
Planning a simple, memorable wedding? Our short, four-part video playlist walks you through every step of getting married at a Kane County courthouse, from securing your marriage license to walking down the aisle and celebrating afterward.
Watch Kane County judges, staff, and a real couple share practical tips, timelines, and insider advice to make your courthouse ceremony smooth and special.
READ MORE
| | Kane County Diagnostic Center Achieves Prestigious APA Accreditation | | |
The Kane County Diagnostic Center's (KCDC) Doctoral Internship Program in Clinical Psychology has been accredited by the American Psychological Association. This national recognition confirms that KCDC meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty, student supports, and clinical outcomes.
“This prestigious recognition is the gold standard in the field of health service psychology,” said KCDC Director Dr. Alexandra Tsang. “It validates our commitment to providing a scientifically grounded, ethically driven education that prepares our graduates to serve as leaders in clinical forensic psychology.”
READ MORE
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Kane County Judges Preside Over Annual High School Mock Trial Program
Each spring around Law Day at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva, the Kane County Bar Foundation Mock Trial Program brings roughly 100 high school students from across Kane County to the Kane County Courthouse to role-play attorneys and witnesses.
This year's tournament included students from six mock trial teams representing Batavia High School, Elgin High School, Jacobs High School, Marmion Academy, and Rosary College Prep.
Kane County Judges Eun Yoon (top), Divya Sarang (middle) and John Dalton (bottom) presided over the tournament.
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Illinois Supreme Court Selects Chief Judge Robert Villa to Chair New Pretrial Accountability Task Force
The Illinois Supreme Court has created a Pretrial Accountability Task Force to address the rising number of defendants on electronic monitoring and to improve the state's arrest warrant process. 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Robert Villa was selected as Chair of the task force.
READ THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT PRESS RELEASE
Photo credit James Harvey Photography.
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Vincent Michael Coyle Appointed Newest 16th Judicial Circuit Associate Judge for Kane County
Kane County appointed its newest Associate Judge, Vincent Michael Coyle, effective June 1, 2026. Receiving the most votes cast by the Circuit Judges of the 16th Judicial Circuit, Mr. Coyle was selected to fill the vacant position left by Judge Julia A. Yetter to the Circuit Court, effective February 2, 2026.
Judge Coyle is a 2010 graduate of John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois. Admitted to practice law in 2010, he previously served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, Civil Division. Prior to that, Judge Coyle worked in the Criminal Division of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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2026 Illinois Statewide Circuit Court User Survey
The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) and the Illinois Judicial Conference are conducting a 2026 Illinois Circuit Court User Experience Survey. The survey will be open for public participation statewide from July 15 to July 31, 2026.
Court users can complete the survey either on paper or electronically. Surveys will be available in paper format at all six Kane County courthouse locations and in electronic format beginning July 15.
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Turning the Corner: DUI Treatment Court Graduates Steer Toward a Better Future
Kane County Connects article reprinted with permission
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that on an average day, nearly 347,000 drunk drivers are on the road. The same data indicates most offenders drive impaired at least 80 times before their first arrest.
Against this backdrop, a special graduation ceremony was recently held at the Kane County Judicial Center, where three participants successfully completed all requirements of the Kane County DUI Treatment Court and had their cases vacated. Among them was the youngest of the 13 individuals who have completed the program since its inception in 2023.
READ MORE
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Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court Celebrates 15 Graduates
The Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court (DRC) graduated 15 participants on April 29, 2026 at the Kane Branch Court in St. Charles. Judge Christine Downs who oversees DRC praised the graduates for their hard work and successful steps toward recovery.
Now in its 26th year, the voluntary DRC uses judicial oversight, treatment, testing, and supervision to reduce drug use and recidivism.
Participants completed 24–36 months of requirements, including treatment, work or school, community service, and restitution.
The ceremony was open to the public and streamed on the Kane County Court YouTube channel.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE
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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 in Geneva.
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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