The Judicial Performance Evaluation Program that had been voluntary for more than 900 judges who preside over Illinois courts became mandatory Monday with the Illinois Supreme Court's announcement of new initiatives to improve judicial performance.

The new measures mandate that all judges undergo an intense evaluation consisting of a review of their opinions and performance by attorneys and court personnel at least once during their terms.

"The program is similar to peer review groups used by successful businesses around the country," said Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald in a prepared statement.

The initiatives also include improvements to the mentoring program pairing new judges with veterans and new rules clarifying the authority of the chief judge and appellate presiding judges and allowing them to restrict and reassign judges for "persistent nonperformance of judicial duties."

"All of these strategies are prompted by a desire to produce the highest quality judiciary for the citizens of this state," said Fitzgerald.