CHICAGO — Cook County's chief judge says his court system should be ready to introduce cameras in courtrooms by the end of the year, although Illinois Supreme Court officials say there's no specific timetable for putting them in place.

Judge Timothy Evans spoke to Chicago-area media Tuesday about a Supreme Court pilot project that's allowing cameras in Illinois courts for the first time.

Evans says the high court has deferred Cook County's application while officials watch how the experiment plays out in 13 other counties. He says Cook County can learn from the smaller counties' experiences.