Video and still cameras could be allowed in circuit courts in central and east central Illinois within the next several weeks.
TheChampaign News-Gazette reports judges in the Sixth Judicial Circuit approved the cameras during a meeting last week.
Chief Judge Dan Flannell says he submitted an application to the Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday. The state's high court has the final say on whether the circuit will be included in the pilot program that was approved about 18 months ago.
Since then more than two dozen counties have allowed courtroom cameras.
The Sixth Circuit includes Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties.
A spokesman for the Supreme Court says it will take a "couple weeks'' before cameras can enter the courtrooms.