Illinois Senate passes SB2784 with unanimous support as Sen. Laura Ellman backs judicial changes

State Sen. Laura Ellman (D-21st) supported SB2784, a measure focused on modifying judicial selection and increasing associate judgeships in Illinois, during the 104th General Assembly’s May 31, 2026 session. The Illinois Senate approved the legislation with a 55-0 vote.

The legislation, as described in the official summary, is titled: "JUDGES-6TH & 7TH JUD CIRCUITS."

Below is an overview of the bill, which may involve interpretation for clarity, based on the actual bill text.

SB2784 amends the Circuit Courts Act so that when an at-large judgeship in the 6th Judicial Circuit becomes vacant, it will be permanently converted to a resident judgeship for either Champaign or Macon County, depending on where the vacating judge resided at their election. Future judges elected to those resident positions must live in the corresponding county. The bill clarifies that no new at-large circuit judgeships are to be created in the 6th Circuit as a result. Additionally, it authorizes one new associate judge in the 7th Circuit. These adjustments are effective immediately upon enactment.

The legislative record lists the action for SB2784 as 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs'.

Ellman is a 1987 Grinnell College graduate, holding a BS degree.

A member of the Democratic Party, Ellman was elected in 2019 to serve the 21st Senate District, succeeding Michael Connelly as the district’s state senator.

Legislation in Illinois undergoes a multi-step legislative process. Bills begin with an introduction in either chamber and progress through committee consideration, floor debate, and voting in both the House and Senate before being sent to the governor for signature or veto. The legislative sessions operate on a biennial basis, and among the thousands of measures introduced each time, only a select number advance to become state law.