Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 302

As amended through March 29, 2024

Rule 302 - Direct Appeals to the Supreme Court

(a)Cases Directly Appealable. Appeals from final judgments of circuit courts shall be taken directly to the Supreme Court (1) in cases in which a statute of the United States or of this state has been held invalid, and (2) in proceedings commenced under Rule 21(d) of this court. For purposes of this rule, invalidity does not include a determination that a statute of this state is preempted by federal law.

(b)Cases in Which the Public Interest Requires Expeditious Determination. After the filing of the notice of appeal to the Appellate Court in a case in which the public interest requires prompt adjudication by the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court or a justice thereof may order that the appeal be taken directly to it. Upon the entry of such an order any documents already filed in the Appellate Court shall be transmitted by the clerk of that court to the clerk of the Supreme Court. From that point the case shall proceed in all respects as though the appeal had been taken directly to the Supreme Court.

(c)Summary Disposition.

(1) The Supreme Court, after the briefs have been filed, may dispose of any case without oral argument or opinion if no substantial question is presented or if jurisdiction is lacking.

(2) The Supreme Court, on its own motion or upon the motion of a party, before or after any brief has been filed or oral argument held, may summarily vacate and remand a judgment of the circuit court for noncompliance with Rule 18. Such vacatur shall not constitute a determination on the merits of the constitutional question presented.

Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 302

Amended effective 7/1/1971. An amendment of6/29/1978, was to have abolished direct appeals in proceedings to review orders of the Industrial Commission. The amendment was to have been effective 1/1/1979. On12/1/1978, the effective date of the amendment was postponed until7/1/1979. On6/1/1979, the amendment was rescinded. Amended August 9, 1983, effective 10/1/1983; amended 2/1/1984, effective 2/1/1984, with Justice Moran dissenting see Yellow Cab Co. v. Jones 1985, 108 Ill. 2d 330, 342; amended July 27, 2006, effective 9/1/2006; amended October 4, 2011, effective immediately.

Committee Comment

(July 27, 2006)

The amendment to Rule 302(c) recognizes that the Supreme Court may summarily vacate and remand any circuit court judgment that fails to comply with Rule 18.