Sen. Karina Villa backs SB2784 to update judicial positions in the 6th, 7th Circuits

Sen. Karina Villa (D-25th) cast a Yes vote for SB2784, a measure updating the Circuit Courts Act concerning judicial roles in the 6th and 7th Circuits, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, according to the Illinois Senate. The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate, passing 55-0.

The official bill text describes the legislation as: "JUDGES-6TH & 7TH JUD CIRCUITS."

The summary provided is based on the bill text and may include interpretation aimed at clarifying its contents.

Specifically, the bill changes the Circuit Courts Act so that when an at-large judgeship in the 6th Judicial Circuit is vacated, it is permanently changed to a resident judgeship for either Champaign County or Macon County, depending on the former judge's county of residence at election. Newly elected judges in these positions must live in the county they represent. The bill clarifies no additional at-large circuit judgeships will be created in the 6th Circuit. It also establishes 1 more associate judge role in the 7th Circuit. The bill is effective immediately upon enactment.

The legislative action recorded for SB2784 was 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs'.

Villa, a member of the Democratic Party, joined the Illinois State Senate in 2021, representing the 25th Senate District after succeeding Jim Oberweis.

Lawmakers in Illinois follow a multi-step process to advance bills, which starts with introduction, moves to committee evaluation, includes floor debate and votes in both chambers, and ultimately heads to the governor for signature or veto. The General Assembly functions biennially; each session sees thousands of bills introduced, though only a limited number complete the process to become law.