Proposal splits 16th judicial circuit

A bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly would remove Kendall and DeKalb counties from the 16th Judicial Circuit by December 2012, leaving only Kane County.

“Absolutely nothing will change,” said Doug Naughton, the 16th Circuit's administrator. “If you get a ticket in Kane, you'll go to Kane. If you get a ticket in DeKalb, you go to DeKalb.”

Lawmakers cited the growing populations in Kane and Kendall counties as reasons for the move.

Naughton agreed.

“It's time,” he said. “We're over half a million (people). The explosive growth, especially down in Kendall, has been a real issue. They've worked really, really hard to keep up.”

The bill is awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn's signature and if he signs it, the two other counties will make up the 23rd Judicial Circuit.