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 7-30-2025
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From the Chambers of Chief Judge Robert K. Villa:
Dear Kane County Citizens, Legal Professionals, and Law Enforcement Agencies,
I am writing to address recent concerns and questions stemming from ICE activities at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Federal law enforcement agencies including, but not limited to, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have for many years served federal warrants in and around Kane County courthouses. The 16th Judicial Circuit’s General Order 25-06, entered May 2, 2025, recognizes the interaction of Federal and Illinois laws...
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| | | Say "I Do" to a Kane County Courthouse Wedding | | | | |
Getting legally married doesn't have to be expensive or stressful when you start your happily ever after at a Kane County courthouse. Read our friendly step-by-step guide to see why 500 couples said "I do" at one of two courthouses last year.
Whether you choose to tie the knot at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles or at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva, you and your guests can focus on celebrating your love without adding financial strain to your special day. READ MORE
| | | Celebrating Law Day in Kane County: Honoring the Rule of Law and Student Excellence | | |
While Law Day (May 1) is observed just once a year, at the 16th Judicial Circuit and Kane County Bar Foundation, we recognize its importance every day. This year, we kicked off the celebration with a heartfelt message from Chief Judge Robert Villa to judges, legal professionals, and court staff at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Established in 1958 by President Dwight Eisenhower, Law Day highlights the vital role of the rule of law in shaping society, safeguarding liberty, and promoting justice.
Following his address, Chief Judge Villa announced the winners of our First Annual Law Day Essay Contest. He, along with fellow judges and representatives from the Kane County Bar Foundation, traveled to local high schools to present the awards including cash prizes, swag bags, and certificates in front of educators, friends, and family. The winning essayists names, centered on this year’s theme, "The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One," will be displayed in the Kane County Judicial Center on a special plaque.
Learn more about the essay winners and read their compelling essays by clicking READ MORE.
Photos: Illinois Math and Science Academy Law Day Essay Contest winners (center) with Kane County Bar Foundation Executive Director Ann Lobb (left) and Chief Judge Robert Villa (right) presenting the awards at their high school.
| | Kane County's Children’s Waiting Room: A Fun, Free, Safe Space for Kids at the Courthouse | | |
Since 2004, the Children’s Waiting Room has provided a free, supervised care service for children from birth to 12 years old, offering a safe and welcoming environment for families with business at the Kane County Judicial Center.
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| | | High School Mock Trial Sparks Future Legal Talent | | |
The Kane County Bar Foundation hosted its annual High School Mock Trial Program on May 2, 2025, at the historic Kane County Courthouse in Geneva. Eight teams from various high schools participated, including local students from Marmion/Rosary, Batavia, Bartlett, and Elgin. This long-standing program, which has been running for over 25 years, provides students with hands-on experience of the justice system. High school students take on roles of attorneys and witnesses in hypothetical criminal or civil trials, presenting their cases according to Illinois law.
Photo: Judge Todd Tarter with Bartlett High School Mock Trial Team match winners.
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Judges Swear in Local Officials
On May 1, 2025, then-elect Mayor Clint Hull, a former 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge, was sworn into office by Circuit Judge Susan Boles, who is also a former 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge (left photo, provided by It's Me, Marketing). The swearing in was held following the St. Charles City Council meeting, and included the swearing in of the City's new mayor, treasurer, clerk, and five alderpersons.
Judge Keith Johnson joined in the fun, swearing in three members of the Geneva Public Library District Board of Trustees (right photo, provided by Geneva Public Library District).
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Judge D.J. Tegeler Goes Back to School
16th Judicial Circuit Judge D.J. Tegeler was invited by the principal of Blackberry Elementary School to share his fulfilling career path from becoming an attorney to serving as a Kane County judge with students. During his visit, Judge Tegeler visited classrooms, sharing his experiences and answering students’ questions in smaller breakout group sessions. Judge Tegeler's visit offered a great opportunity for students to learn about legal careers.
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Kane County Law Library Director Halle Eichert with Senior Manager of Adult Services Eric Battaglia and Executive Director Michaela Haberkern of the Aurora Public Library receiving the 2025 Liberty Bell Award for their partnership in providing free court support to library patrons.
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Aurora Public Library Wins the 2025 Liberty Bell Award
The Aurora Public Library was honored with the 2025 Liberty Bell Award at a ceremony hosted by the Kane County Bar Association in June. Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center's director Halle Eichert nominated the Aurora Public Library District for their ongoing partnership in providing Aurora library patrons with self help legal services through the Lawyers in the Aurora Public Library program and ongoing court support assistance. See the Free Legal Help Programs section below for more information.
The Liberty Bell Award is a nationally recognized award which is bestowed on a non-attorney individual or community organization who has promoted a better understanding of the law, encouraged a greater respect for the law and the courts, who stimulates a sense of civic responsibility, and who contributes to good government within the community.
Read the full Liberty Bell award nomination.
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Associate Judge Thomas E. St. Jules and Retained Circuit Judges Sworn-In
New Associate Judge Thomas E. St. Jules was sworn in on May 21st, 2025. His swearing in was followed by the retainment swearing in of the following 16th Judicial Circuit Circuit Judges: Judge Sandra Parga, Judge Julio Valdez, and Judge Kimberly DiGiovanni.
Photo (left to right): Judge Sandra Parga, Judge Julio Valdez, Judge Kimberly DiGiovanni, Judge Lisa Accardi (23rd Judicial Circuit), and Judge Carlo Colosimo (23rd Judicial Circuit).
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Kane County State's Attorney Office Newsletter, The Prosecutor's Post, Coming Soon
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser, plans to release her first-ever community newsletter, The Prosecutor's Post this summer. The Prosecutor's Post has been created to inform the Kane County community about the work getting done and news stories within, and in connection to, the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The overarching goal is to create a deeper community connection and teach readers more about what happens within their community and at the State’s Attorney’s Office, as well as to educate residents on what happens in and out of the courtrooms. Each edition of The Prosecutor's Post will also serve to educate Kane County residents about exciting and important new programs and updates in the State’s Attorney’s Office as well as notable community and public events, major prosecutions, and more.
Visit this link to subscribe to The Prosecutor's Post.
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Lawyers in the Aurora Public Library, Santori Library
Free Law Help Available Every Second Thursday of the Month
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
101 S. River Street, Aurora, IL
Limited to Aurora Library Patrons Only
The Aurora Public Library in partnership with the Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center provides a monthly self-represented litigant walk-in service for help with legal questions at the Santori Library. Attorneys volunteer their time with a limit of 15 minutes per person. Bring along your paperwork or anything that relates to your legal question.
For more information, visit the Lawyers in the Library page of the Aurora Public Library's website.
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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 Foundation's website.
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