Rule 1.15 - ELECTRONIC DEVICES, PHOTOGRAPHY, BROADCASTING & RECORDING DEVICESA.GENERAL ALLOWANCES AND PROHIBITIONS. 1. Subject to screening and compliance with Illinois Supreme Court and Local Rules, Portable Electronic Devices are allowed in the Judicial Center. All Portable Electronic Devices must be placed in "silent" mode at all times within the courthouse.2. Photography, broadcasting, and recording are prohibited within the Judicial Center. Exceptions are permitted only to the extent authorized by Illinois Supreme Court and Local Rules.B.DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this rule, the following terms are defined broadly, with the intent to maintain decorum and dignity in the courtroom, security, and the privacy of other people within the courthouse. 1. The Judicial Center refers to the "Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center" and includes the courtrooms, private and public hallways, rooms immediately adjacent to said hallways and to the courtrooms, and the jury assembly/deliberation rooms.2. Photography, broadcasting, and recording include without limitation, the audio or video transmission or recordings made by Portable Electronic Devices, other wired or wireless data transmission and recording devices, cameras, video cameras, radio equipment, and television equipment.3. "Portable Electronic Devices" are mobile devices capable of electronically storing, accessing, or transmitting information and are defined to include personal computers, tablet computers, mobile telephones (including cell phones and any form of telephone with cameras and audio and video recording and transmission capabilities), electronic calendars, e-book readers, smartwatches, and similar devices.C. MEDIA COVERAGE. Currently, the Order of the Illinois Supreme Court in In Re Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois, MR No. 2634, and Local Rule 1.15.5, Extended Media Coverage, permit photography, broadcasting, or televising of Court proceedings for media coverage, but only upon application and approval. The terms and requirements for media approval are set forth in Local Rule 1.15.5.D.NON-JUDICIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. Photography, broadcasting, and recording of non-judicial events and activities, or of judicial personnel or facilities, may be authorized by the Court for educational, instructional, informational, or ceremonial purposes. Such non-judicial events and activities include weddings, bar association activities, induction ceremonies, award ceremonies, dedication ceremonies, mock trials, seminars, speeches, demonstrations, training sessions, journalistic undertakings, public awareness activities, and similar events and activities.E.PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN COURTROOMS. Case participants including lawyers, parties, and witnesses may use portable electronic devices in the courtroom solely for the purposes of advancing his or her case, provided that the device is silenced and in no way interferes with the dignity and decorum of the courtroom or its activities. This may include checking calendars, reviewing documents related to the case, presenting case-related information, or conducting legal research. Portable electronic devices may be used to participate in proceedings that are being conducted remotely. If initiated or allowed by the judge, portable electronic devices may be used to live broadcast a proceeding that is conducted remotely, a proceeding at which remote attendance is permitted, or to make a broadcast available to interested persons, such as victims of crime or persons who have a statutory right to be present during court proceedings but who do not wish to attend in person.
F. PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN HALLWAYS AND CONFERENCE ROOMS. Portable Electronic Devices may be used in the common areas of the courthouse, such as public hallways, lobbies, and conference rooms, provided that such use does not interfere with the use of said premises by others present. Portable Electronic Devices shall not be used for photography, broadcasting, and recording while in the common areas of the courthouse. Portable Electronic Devices shall not be used to communicate or attempt to communicate with any potential juror or juror at any time. Portable Electronic Devices shall not be used to harass, intimidate, or improperly communicate about given testimony with any witness at any time.G.COURT OFFICIALS AND COURT REPORTERS. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this rule, recording by an official or court authorized court reporter in the courtroom or its environs is permitted.H.DECORUM ORDERS. When the nature of a case or the related media coverage requires, the Court, on motion of either party or on its own motion, may issue an order governing such matters as extra-judicial statements by parties and witnesses, the seating and conduct in the courtroom of spectators and news media representatives, the management and sequestration of jurors and witnesses, and any other matters which the Court may deem appropriate for inclusion in such an order.I. CONFISCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND EJECTION. Anyone using a Portable Electronic Device, or possessing other electronic devices, in violation of this or any other court order or policy may be removed from the courthouse, found in contempt of court, and/or subject to penalties as provided by law. Any Portable Electronic Device used in violation of an order may be confiscated and held until the possessor leaves the courthouse. Court personnel shall not be responsible or liable for any damage to or loss of a confiscated Portable Electronic Device. J. RESTRICTIONS ON PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES. If the Chief Judge determines that Portable Electronic Devices interfere with the administration of justice or cause a threat to safety or security, he or she may prohibit Portable Electronic Devices from being carried into specific courtrooms (for example, courtrooms hearing certain criminal cases) or the entire courthouse if the courthouse provides storage for the devices at no cost to the court visitor at the security entrance.Ill. R. Cir. Ct. McHenry Cnty. 1.15