Holmes supports SB2784 to revise judge positions in Illinois' 6th, 7th Circuits

Sen. Linda Holmes (D-42nd) cast a Yes vote for SB2784 during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, as recorded by the Illinois Senate. The Senate approved the bill unanimously, 55-0.

The bill's summary states: "JUDGES-6TH & 7TH JUD CIRCUITS."

The following is a breakdown of the bill's main provisions, based on the legislative text, including clarification where needed.

This legislation updates the Circuit Courts Act by stating that whenever an at-large judgeship in the 6th Judicial Circuit is vacated, the position will become a resident judgeship for either Champaign County or Macon County, depending on where the former judge lived at the time of election. The bill notes that individuals later elected to these resident posts must reside in the county they represent. It also clarifies that the law is not intended to create any new at-large circuit judge positions within the 6th Circuit. Additionally, the bill establishes one new associate judge post in the 7th Circuit. If enacted, these changes take effect immediately.

The official legislative action for SB2784 was noted as 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs'.

Holmes completed a BA at National College of Education in 1984.

Holmes, a Democrat, joined the Illinois State Senate in 2007, representing the 42nd Senate District after succeeding Phyllis Petka.

Illinois legislation goes through a step-by-step legislative process that starts with introduction in the Senate or House, proceeds through committee consideration and floor debates, and continues with votes in both chambers before heading to the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly works on a biennial basis; though thousands of bills are proposed each session, only a select few advance through these stages to become law.