Staffing
and Efficiencies
In 2009 we
lost 3 staff due to budget cuts
and voluntary severance packages
(early retirement). The
voluntary severance package is
estimated to save $113,331.00 in
fiscal year 2010. The target
budget for 2010 includes an
additional 7% cut.
2007 we lost
2 staff to voluntary severance
(early retirement).
2004 we lost
3 staff positions to budget
cuts.
In 2002 we
were approved 4 staff positions
to cover the courtroom
assignments instituted by then,
Chief Judge Zappa. These
staff were never hired in order
to save Sangamon County money.
The office
was reorganized in 2009 and a
Court Clerk Division was created
to reprioritize the efficiency
of the office. We changed the
procedure of checking out files
by automating some manual
processes. This frees up
staff time by eliminating manual
input. We also save paper and
toner by the elimination of
printing each individual file
request. The Civil Division was
relocated from the basement
vault area back to the front
counter on the forth floor.
We have
doubled the amount of scanning
stations in order to change the
way that we process pleadings.
This allows us to process the
pleading faster by scanning it
before it is docketed.
This process allows for less
handling time and gets the
pleading into the case file
faster.
As mentioned
in other areas of the website we
have implemented "address
software" to standardize
addresses according to United
States Postal Standards.
This allows faster entry, since
clerks do not have to enter the
entire address and we anticipate
a reduction in undeliverable
mail.
If you are a
regular user of this website you
might notice that we work hard
to keep it user friendly.
Some of the new features include
printing capabilities for court
schedules and dockets sheets.
We are also working on
enhancements that will further
assist law enforcement agencies
and attorneys.
We have
implemented changes within the
office to print as many reports
as possible on both sides of a
page to save paper. This
is a continuing effort to reduce
or eliminate as much paper use
as we can. This reduces
costs and helps the environment.
We have
developed an Emergency Plan for
the office. This plan
envelopes pandemics, power
outages, etc.
Current Projects in the Works
Automation of
Traffic Court - Electronic Check In,
State's Attorney's recommendations.
(ongoing)
Enhancements to
the current web site - free public
access to all allowable records.
(ongoing)
Public Outreach
Meetings - discussing issues and
presenting solutions. (ongoing)
Attorney e-mail
notification system - sends court
schedule to the attorney and or
office's computer or phone.
(scheduled to go online before
December 1, 2009)
Finalizing the
development of a software package
that will standardize addresses for
the data base. (early 2009)
Preparing for the
upcoming annual legislative changes
that take affect on January 1, 2010.
(December 31, 2009)
E-File, the
electronic filing system of new
court cases. Allows attorneys, and
other individuals, to file cases
from their office or home. (Applied
with the Administrative Office of
the Illinois Courts. Our computer
systems are ready for this new
program, we are waiting for their
approval). (pending)
The Circuit
Clerk's Office is continuously
seeking approval from the judiciary
for "mail in supervision". (ongoing)
Criminal Justice
Project - a project to connect all
law enforcement elements together
electronically. (on going)
Disaster Recovery
Plan - backup co-location of main
computer systems that will provide a
hot backup for all information.
(2010)
Direct Deposit of
Payments for Child Support,
Agencies, Bond Refunds. (2010)
All of the
aforementioned projects have been,
or will be completed soon, without
asking for additional money from the
county. Every year since I
have been in office, I have
consistently been under budget and
have returned money to the county.
