--- title: "John W. Sanders | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-sanders" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-28" --- # John W. Sanders Illinois Circuit Court, 1 · Circuit: Resident ## Profile - Court: Illinois Circuit Court, 1 - State: Illinois - Role: Circuit: Resident - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile. ## 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 ### exhibit marking Scope: judge specific For evidentiary hearings, petitioners mark exhibits with numbers and respondents with letters, each paired with the case number. Evidence excerpt: Exhibits for evidentiary hearings shall be marked as follows: Petitioners: Numbers with the case number. Respondents: Letters with the case number. [Standing Order for Hearings, Judge Sanders' Cases](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-30-Standing-Order-for-Hearings-Judge-John-Sanders-effective-January-1-2025-Williamson.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### proposed orders Scope: judge specific Proposed orders under Local Rule 1.12 may be presented only after a court ruling and direction, or after an agreement is read into the record and approved. Evidence excerpt: Proposed orders submitted pursuant to Local Rule 1.12 shall only be presented following a ruling by the Court and direction for one party to submit a proposed order or after an agreement is read on the record and approved by the Court. [Standing Order for Hearings, Judge Sanders' Cases](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-30-Standing-Order-for-Hearings-Judge-John-Sanders-effective-January-1-2025-Williamson.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### permission and standing orders Scope: courtwide Remote attendance is permitted under an applicable county or judge standing order; without one, a written motion for permission is required. Evidence excerpt: Case participants shall be permitted to attend court by appearing remotely pursuant to any Standing Order of the County, or Standing Order of the judge presiding over that matter. If there is no applicable Standing Order, you must ask the judge presiding over the case for permission to appear remotely, in a written motion. [Rules of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RULES-OF-THE-FIRST-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT-COURT-OF-ILLINOIS-JANUARY-10-2025.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### video courtroom conduct Scope: courtwide Remote participants must follow the First Circuit's published video-court conduct requirements. Evidence excerpt: You should remain muted until your case is called or you are asked to unmute. If you are appearing by video, you should leave your video on unless you are directed otherwise. No unsuitable filters or backgrounds permitted. [Rules of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RULES-OF-THE-FIRST-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT-COURT-OF-ILLINOIS-JANUARY-10-2025.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote proceedings Scope: courtwide Recording, photographing, screenshotting, or otherwise capturing a remote court date is prohibited. Evidence excerpt: You may not record or take any pictures or screen shots, or otherwise capture an image or recording of a remote court date. [Rules of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RULES-OF-THE-FIRST-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT-COURT-OF-ILLINOIS-JANUARY-10-2025.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### 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/863/John-W-Sanders/justice/) - [Official roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/863/John-W-Sanders/justice/) - [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/863/John-W-Sanders/justice/) - [Rules of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RULES-OF-THE-FIRST-JUDICIAL-CIRCUIT-COURT-OF-ILLINOIS-JANUARY-10-2025.pdf) - [Standing Order for Hearings, Judge Sanders' Cases](https://firstcircuitil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-30-Standing-Order-for-Hearings-Judge-John-Sanders-effective-January-1-2025-Williamson.pdf) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-sanders", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-sanders", "name": "John W. 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Sanders", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-w-sanders" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as the Resident Circuit Judge of Williamson County to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Carolyn Smoot, with his appointment effective December 1, 2016, and concluding in December 2018 when the position was filled by election ### Education - Southern Illinois University School of Law in — J.D. (1988) - Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Illinois in 1985 ### Additional information - Later elected in 2018 and has continued to serve in this role. - His assignments have covered most of the civil dockets in Williamson County, reflecting his broad experience in both civil and family law matters - Prior to his judicial career, Sanders practiced law for 28 years alongside his late father, James W. Sanders, and his brother, Larry Sanders, at the Marion law firm Sanders and Sanders - As a Circuit Court Judge, Sanders has presided over a wide range of cases, including family matters, orders of protection, probate, small claims, evictions, and general civil lawsuits. - He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Judges Association, and the Williamson County Bar Association, where he has also held the role of president - Sanders has been actively involved in community service, serving 18 years as an elected trustee for the John A. Logan Community College Board and participating on the national board of the Association of Community Colleges (ACCT),. - He also serves on the Illinois State Board of Education and has been a Republican Precinct Committeeman for 10 years - Sanders has been evaluated by peers and attorneys in his circuit, with assessments focusing on his legal knowledge, impartiality, ethical conduct, and judicial temperament. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Electronic Filing of Documents](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5f0aaf6bc352c9cdf71d7314) — 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/10719c29-d129-41cc-b4c8-0027ca878a42/Rule%209.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8b1063af76378b60bb59dbf0) — 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/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.