SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • Cameras will be allowed in Illinois courtrooms on a "circuit by circuit" basis, under an  experimental program that's effective immediately, the state Supreme Court said in a policy statement released this morning.

Judge Ann Callis, the chief judge of the 3rd Judicial Circuit that includes Madison County, said today she "is leaning toward applying to become part of the pilot project."

Callis said she would consult with the other judges in her circuit before making a final decision. She said the Illinois Supreme Court order was "well thought-out" and would protect the rights of everyone involved.

Judge John Baricevic, the chief judge of the 20th Circuit that includes St. Clair and Monroe counties, said he was surprised by the order.

"It caught us a little unawares," Baricevic said.

Baricevic said he would circulate the order to the circuit's judges and ask for input, as well as others, including public defenders, state's attorneys, and jury commissions.

The policy change, if it becomes permanent, will take Illinois off the list of 14 states that still don't allow cameras in circuit court.

Under the program, the chief judge of each circuit will have to apply to the high court for permission to allow cameras in the courtrooms. Once a circuit is approved by the Supreme Court, media may request to electronically cover eligible cases in that circuit, according to the statement.

In an accompanying written announcement, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said: "This is another step to bring more transparency and more accountability to the Illinois court system." He said it "affords a closer look at the workings of our court system to the public through the eyes of the electronic news media and news photographers.

" . . . It is new to Illinois, but has been standard practice in many other states," Kilbride noted. "I am confident that through the diligence of our chief circuit judges and our trial judges, along with the professionalism of the news media, that it may become a standard practice in our state too."

Illinois has allowed cameras to be present during Supreme Court and Appellate Court hearings since 1983. At the time of that decision, the court continued the ban during trials because of fair trial concerns.

Court spokesman Joe Tybor said the new rules for cameras will be on a limited and experimental basis to determine whether media access and fair trials can co-exist.

Broadcasters have long advocated the use of cameras and tape recorders during criminal trials in Illinois, pointing to the public's right to know.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.