1st Judicial Circuit of Illinois

09/09/2026

The First Circuit congratulates Judge Amanda Gott and thanks AOIC for these Court Improvement Grants which will be used for the benefit of families and participant’s in child protection court.

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

The First Judicial Circuit welcomes Illinois JusticeCorps Fellow, Ian Kelly, as he begins his year of service to all nine courthouses in the curcuit.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1H1CziZFm8/

The Illinois Bar Foundation is proud to welcome the 2026-2027 Illinois JusticeCorps cohort. We were honored by Justice Rena Marie Van Tine of the 1st District of the Illinois Appellate court and Judge Jorge L. Ortiz, Chair of the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice for welcoming the new class of Fellows and swearing them in as AmeriCorps members.

09/03/2026

Today, we proudly celebrated the swearing-in of Judge Joshua Stratemeyer as an Associate Judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois!

Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, and members of the community, Judge Stratemeyer took the oath of office and officially began this exciting new chapter of service to the people of our Circuit.

The First Judicial Circuit is pleased to welcome Judge Stratmeyer to the bench. We look forward to the dedication, integrity, and commitment to justice he will bring to his new role.

Please join us in offering our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Judge Joshua Stratmeyer. We are excited to have you as part of the First Judicial Circuit judiciary and welcome you to the One of 21. 🧑‍⚖️ ⚖️

08/26/2026

Courthouse Companions:
Learn more about therapy dog Frankie working in the Saline County Courthouse.

For additional information about the First Judicial Circuit Court Therapy Dog Program, contact Program Coordinator Cynthia York at the Office of the Chief Judge, 618-997-1234.

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/1783/Courthouse-Companions-Frankie/news-detail/

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

The 1st Circuit is proud to have Judge Amanda Gott representing our Circuit and the State of Illinois on the Board of Directors of the NCJFCJ

The NCJFCJ added new Board Directors in July. Please join us in welcoming Judge Amanda Byassee Gott from Marion, Illinois! Learn more about our Board of Directors at https://loom.ly/gdHpEWQ.

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Brock Freeman as he recently joined the Illinois Court Help team. Brock served the First Circuit as the IL JusticeCorps Fellow August 2025-July 2026.

Illinois Court Help: https://www.ilcourthelp.gov/hc/en-us

Illinois Court Help recently grew their team with four new court guides joining in the past few months. The team got together in the office this week for team building and professional development training.

08/05/2026

Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the First Judicial Circuit
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Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Monday, August 3, 2026 that the First Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Joshua A. Stratemeyer as associate judge of the First Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Stratemeyer received his undergraduate degree in 2001 from Murray State University in
Murray, Kentucky and his Juris Doctor in 2006 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale,
Illinois. Mr. Stratemeyer is currently affiliated with the Massac County State’s Attorney’s Office
in Metropolis, Illinois.

07/29/2026

The First Judicial Circuit is proud of our dedicated Williamson County and Jackson County Drug Court teams for representing our circuit at the All Rise Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

The annual conference brings together judges, treatment professionals, probation officers, attorneys, law enforcement, and other justice partners from across the country to share innovative practices and strengthen treatment court programs that transform lives.

By investing in continuing education and collaboration, our Drug Court teams return with new ideas, proven strategies, and renewed inspiration to better serve participants on their journey toward recovery, accountability, and long-term success.

We appreciate our teams commitment to helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and their dedication to changing lives through the power of treatment courts.