--- title: "Terra Howard | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/terra-howard" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Terra Howard Illinois Circuit Court, 18 · Circuit: Resident ## Profile - Court: Illinois Circuit Court, 18 - State: Illinois - Role: Circuit: Resident - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-28 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Howard has been a sole practitioner in DuPage County since 2003, after earlier roles as a Senior Assistant at the DuPage County Public Defender’s Office and as a staff attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit (1996–1998). - Terra Costa Howard is a newly appointed Resident Circuit Judge in DuPage County, Illinois, serving in the 18th Judicial Circuit’s Fifth Subcircuit from October 17, 2025, to December 7, 2026 - Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court announced Howard’s appointment to fill the vacancy created by Judge Paul Fullerton’s retirement - Resident Circuit Judge in the Fifth Subcircuit of the 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers DuPage County - In her own words, Howard said her career steps — from the Chief Judge’s office to public defense, to legislative service — have all led to this judicial role, and she looks forward to applying her legal and life experience to the bench ### Education - DePaul University College of Law in — J.D. (1996) - B.A. in political science and speech communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign in 1993 ### Additional information - Before her judicial role, she was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025 - She also served on the Glen Ellyn School Board for eight years - She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the DuPage County Bar Association - The judicial screening committee rated her “well‐qualified” and “highly recommended” - representing the 48th and later 42nd districts, winning four elections. - In the legislature, she chaired the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee and sponsored legislation such as HB12, which expanded family and medical leave for public school and university employees - Birth place: DuPage County, Illinois ## 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/2395/Terra-Howard/justice/) - [Official roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2395/Terra-Howard/justice/) - [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2395/Terra-Howard/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) - [Official biography source for Terra Howard](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2395/Terra-Howard/justice/) - [Terra Costa Howard - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Terra_Costa_Howard) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/terra-howard", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/terra-howard", "name": "Terra Howard | KnowJudges", "description": "Terra Howard, Illinois Circuit Court, 18. 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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/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.