--- title: "Christine A. Downs | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christine-a-downs" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Christine A. Downs Illinois Circuit Court, 16 · Associate ## Profile - Court: Illinois Circuit Court, 16 - State: Illinois - Role: Associate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career ### Education - Loyola University School of Law in — J.D. (1997) ### Additional information - In the Beyond the Bench feature (January 2025), Judge Downs expressed interest in traveling to Italy to see her daughter play soccer, enjoying sunny winter days with snow, and wishing she could speak Spanish. - Appointed by the Supreme Court of Illinois on January 23, 2013, and she was reappointed in 2015 for a full term expiring on June 30, 2019. - Associate Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, serving in the Family Division of Kane County - Before joining the bench, Judge Downs practiced law at Collison & O’Connor, Ltd. in Chicago. - Prior to joining the court, Downs worked in private practice with Collison & O'Connor in Chicago. - Judge Christine Downs appointed to Committee on Professional Responsibility | State of Illinois “I am honored and humbled to have been appointed to the Committee for Professional Responsibility by the Illinois Supreme Court,” Downs said. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved. Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### official record Scope: statewide The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services. Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court. [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote appearances Scope: statewide Circuit court participants may appear remotely without advance approval in covered proceedings; evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the presiding judge's approval, subject to the rule's case-specific safeguards. Evidence excerpt: Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court's available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote appearance policy Scope: statewide Illinois circuit courts must implement Rule 45 through published local procedures and accessible remote technology; Rule 45 and controlling case orders determine whether approval is required. Evidence excerpt: Supreme Court Rule 45 authorizes and fosters the use of remote appearances in circuit courts with a goal of achieving uniformity in remote appearance practices throughout the state. [Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### extended media coverage Scope: statewide Illinois circuit courts accept extended-media requests for public proceedings, normally at least seven days in advance, but the presiding judge may deny, limit, or terminate coverage and protected proceedings remain restricted. Evidence excerpt: all Illinois judicial circuit courts shall allow requests for extended media coverage of public court proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this policy [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/456/Christine-A-Downs/justice/) - [Official roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/456/Christine-A-Downs/justice/) - [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/456/Christine-A-Downs/justice/) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf) - [Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Remote Court Appearances](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/e4321795-dd8b-4f0a-ae97-014b0db8182f/Policy_on_Remote_Court_Appearances.pdf) - [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7a90fdf7-c9d0-4b64-b95d-d891d518d80e/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Policy%20for%20the%20Circuit%20Courts.pdf) - [Judge Christine Downs appointed to Committee on Professional Responsibility | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/346/Judge-Christine-Downs-appointed-to-Committee-on-Professional-Responsibility/news-detail) - [Official biography source for Christine A. Downs](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/456/Christine-A-Downs/justice/) - [Christine A. Downs - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christine_A._Downs) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christine-a-downs", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christine-a-downs", "name": "Christine A. Downs | KnowJudges", "description": "Christine A. Downs, Illinois Circuit Court, 16. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christine-a-downs#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christine-a-downs#judge", "name": "Christine A. 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Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f06d63ba-828e-40f2-8ae2-ef4b11c9c66b/Rule%2045.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Discovery](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-01acf8596703e90b82e3e7b0) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8e024c35-ffd1-45bb-a289-eda92bc5e1ee/Rule%2089.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Papers-- Sanctions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8bcee20492ad95411af02906) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/9ce1fce9-895f-463e-b87d-f9b7631f8fde/Rule%20137.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Appearances--Answers--Motions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f58d7fcac0e441aa2b8f5985) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f3e14c02-f103-410a-b192-a7b74607e49d/Rule%20181.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Motions on Grounds of Forum Non Conveniens](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-04f35e4cb24fd9207305e9a3) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/3ca42402-7b18-499d-b048-d45fed36dfa2/Rule%20187.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — General Discovery Provisions](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34c75224678e071bb8a403db) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/04def41f-b72c-4fdc-bdd8-eda350a95151/Rule%20201.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Purposes for Which Depositions May be Taken in a Pending Action](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5aa1fc88faa267abb7daaf52) — Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/744bc960-17d7-4a6d-a14f-fe5540759f4b/Rule%20202.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2089d8e032646c30d3e1fcec) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.