The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) is seeking nominations for two awards: the Justice Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award and the Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award.
The ATJ Commission presents these awards to a member of the judiciary, as well as a lawyer, paralegal, or court employee who has made meaningful contributions to improving access to Illinois’ court system.
Nominations for each award are due by August 30, 2024. Submit applications to Alison Spanner, Assistant Director of the Access to Justice Division, at aspanner@illinoiscourts.gov.
Justice Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award
The Justice Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award is given to a member of the judiciary who has made a significant or meaningful contribution to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants.
This award honors Justice Kilbride (Ret.), who established the ATJ Commission while serving as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
In 2023, the award was presented to Justice Mary K. Rochford, a Commissioner for the ATJ Commission and Chair from 2015 to 2023.
To apply, nominators must submit a 500-word narrative that details how nominee has been involved in efforts to:
- Implement a court-wide innovative program to address specific needs
- Improve the court process for litigants
- Increase litigants’ understanding of court processes and procedures
- Connect litigants with necessary resources regarding substantive areas of the law
- Provide technology or language support
- Educate fellow colleagues on access to justice issues
- Secure access to legal assistance or representation
- Improve vulnerable litigants’ ability to meaningfully participate in their court cases
For more information on the submission process, click here.
Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award
The Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award will be given to a lawyer, paralegal, or court employee who has made a significant or meaningful contribution to improving access to our court system for litigants who are self-represented, limited English proficient, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable.
The award was named for Jeffrey D. Colman, the first Chair of the ATJ Commission. Nikki Ticknor, Deputy Court Administrator and Family Violence Coordinated Council Coordinator at the Winnebago County Courthouse, received the award in 2023.
To apply, nominators must submit a 500-word narrative that details how the nominee has been involved in efforts to:
- Increase litigants’ understanding of court processes and procedures
- Connect litigants with necessary resources regarding substantive areas of the law
- Provide technology or language support
- Secure access to legal assistance or representation
- Improve vulnerable litigants’ ability to meaningfully participate in their court cases, likely through a local or statewide program or change at the systemic level
For more information on the submission process, click here.
Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. Subscribe here to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.
Professionalism Spotlight: Nikki Ticknor, Deputy Court Administrator, 17th Judicial Circuit
The Future of Women in Law: A Q&A with Justice Elizabeth Rochford
Study Finds State Court Caseloads Are Trending Toward Pre-Pandemic Levels, After COVID-19 Dip