Thomas A. Morrissey

Judge Morrissey requires hearings involving live evidence to be conducted in person in Courtroom 2503.

All hearings in which live evidence is proffered shall be in person in Room 2503.

Judge Morrissey permits remote appearances by Zoom for regular motions.

The parties may also appear by Zoom for regular motions

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services.

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 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.

all Illinois judicial circuit courts shall allow requests for extended media coverage of public court proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this policy