Seth Lewis supports measure shifting at-large judges to resident roles in 6th, 7th Illinois circuits

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-24th) cast a Yes vote on SB2784, legislation converting at-large judgeships into resident roles within two Illinois judicial circuits. The measure, considered during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, was approved by the Senate with a unanimous 55-0 vote, according to the Illinois Senate.

The text of the bill describes it as "JUDGES-6TH & 7TH JUD CIRCUITS."

Below is our summary and interpretation of the language and primary provisions within the actual bill text.

The bill amends the Circuit Courts Act to require that any vacancy in an at-large judgeship in the 6th Judicial Circuit permanently becomes a resident judgeship for Champaign County or Macon County, depending on where the judge who is leaving resided at election. It states that future residents elected to fill these seats must be from the respective counties and clarifies that the changes are not designed to establish new at-large positions in the 6th Circuit. Additionally, the measure provides for the creation of one new associate judgeship in the 7th Circuit. These amendments become law immediately after passage.

The bill was advanced with the recorded motion: 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs.'

Lewis earned his BS from the University of Iowa in 1991.

He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 as a Republican representing the 24th Senate District, succeeding former senator Suzy Glowiak.

In Illinois, the legislative process for bills involves several steps, including introduction in one chamber, committee scrutiny, debate on the floor, and required passage by both chambers before a proposal proceeds to the governor for signature or veto. The state’s General Assembly works on a biennial calendar and regularly sees the introduction of thousands of bills during each session, with only a portion becoming law.