Illinois Association of Court Clerks - Illinois Association of Court Clerks newsletter

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE--Agenda-Instructions

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:17:25 -0800

Illinois Association of Court Clerks
Special Meeting
Wednesday March 17, 2010
8:30am @ the Hilton in Springfield, Il.
217-789-1530
700 East Adams Street
Plaza Room 3

Dear Clerks,

Please see below the agenda for the March 17, 10 Special Meeting.

We will begin at 8:30 SHARP!!

For anyone that will be arriving on the 16th. If you would like to join us for dinner please let me know. All board or legislative committee members that will be there on the 16th can meet at 5:30 at Bennigans Grill, attached to the Hilton. We can go over how we will proceed with the meeting on the 17th. This is only a meet and great not an official meeting.

Any other Circuit Clerk that wants to meet and have some discussions can meet at 6:30pm. Maybe we can answer some questions that some of you have before the meeting, to save time at the 17th., Meeting at Bennigans Grill. It is attached to the Hilton.

Action Alert Supplement

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:36:55 -0800

Dear Clerks,

Brittan provided you with a call to action last week and gave you some tips for talking to your legislators. I want to make just a few additions….

We really have a two fold message—restore the 2010 stipend and insure that the 2011 stipend is safe. We still have time this spring to restore the 2010 funding but we are doing so at the very same time that the 2011 budget is being debated and passed so don’t forget to address both.

Here are a couple of things that are helpful in our discussions with legislators. We find that many of them don’t understand the flow of the stipend money to each affiliate. I am attaching a chart that shows how each affiliate receives their money. I am also attaching a memo from the Dept of Revenue that states that the affiliates to whom they disburse stipends will receive 60 percent of their stipend for 2010. We do not have documentation for the County Clerks yet but they have been told that the State Board of Elections will partially fund them, if not make them whole. Emphasize to the legislators that THE CIRCUIT CLERKS ARE THE ONLY COUNTY OFFICIALS WHOSE STIPEND HAS BEEN ELIMINATED. This is the case despite that fact that our offices are such an important source of funds for the state. I am attaching a document that reports the most recent totals (2008) that we have generated for the various units of government.

Message from President Becky Jansen (Friday Feb. 26, 2010)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:00:57 -0800

Dear Clerks,

I received a phone call Friday afternoon (February 26, 2010) from Senator Jones.

I do not have time to go into detail about the call but HE Agrees WITH US. HE SAID IT IS ILLEGAL AND JUST NOT RIGHT. HE WANT US TO MAKE SURE WE CONTACT EVERY ONE STARTING WITH THE GOVERNORS OFFICE AND DOWN!!!!!

HE WILL DO WHAT EVER HE CAN TO TRY TO HELP US.

PLEASE GET ON THE PHONES AND MAKES CALLS!!!!!

Don’t think someone else will so you don’t have to!!!!! It’s your stipend also.

Also, your PAC money, more than 25 Counties have NOT paid into the PAC at all. Remember if we need that money to help fight for the Stipend we will need all of it. I would guess you will want your stipend. You can make payments if you can’t pay all at one time. Some amount is better than nothing. This year it is very important to help. It will be noted at the May Conference all counties that have paid.

If you have trouble opening attachments first contact someone on your end to see if you need to try something else before you contact the person who sent it. if that doesn’t work, look who sent it first before you email to say you can’t open it. THANKS. We are all getting a lot of emails right now so try to help us out.

Response from IACO President Nancy Krumwiede

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:58:14 -0800

From: Kachiroubas, Chris [mailto:Chris.Kachiroubas@dupageco.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 11:26 AM
To: Becky Jansen
Subject: FW: Stipends

Becky

This email is direct response to a call I placed into Nancy Krumwiede. Nancy contacted the IACO lobbyist …attached is his response.

I will bring a copy of this for our meeting and any other info I get before our meeting.

Chris

From: Nancy Krumwiede [mailto:treasurer@fordcountycourthouse.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:19 PM
To: Kachiroubas, Chris
Subject: FW: Stipends

Nancy Krumwiede

Treasurer | Ford County

200 W. State, Room 102, PO Box 92

Paxton, IL 60957

ph: (217) 379-2532

email: treasurer@fordcountycourthouse.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Bramlet [mailto:tbramlet@seagrp.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 1:32 PM
To: Nancy Krumwiede
Cc: Louie Giordano
Subject: Stipends

Action Alert – Contact your Legislators Today regarding Cuts to the Circuit Clerks’ stipend.

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:28:01 -0800

Dear Clerks,

As you know, the annual stipend for the circuit clerks was eliminated from the Supreme Court budget for 2010. Given the state’s grim budget situation, the fate of the stipend going forward is uncertain. Please contact your Representatives and Senators today and ask them the help restore and protect the Circuit Clerks’ stipend.

It is essential that we educate legislators regarding the stipend: why you receive it, what you do for the state in return for the compensation, and what it means to you individually with respect to your salaries and retirement benefits. Please ask your legislators to support restoring the circuit clerks’ 2010 stipend through a supplemental appropriation, and support efforts to guarantee a stipend for fiscal year 2011 through the budget process.

In addition to individual outreach, we encourage all clerks who are available to attend a special meeting of the IACC Executive and Legislative Committees on Wednesday, March 17 at 9:15 a.m. in Plaza Room 3 of the Springfield Hilton. This special meeting has been called to discuss the stipend and legislative issues. Following the meeting, attendees will proceed to the Capitol to lobby legislators regarding the stipend. If you plan to participate in this meeting/lobby day, I would encourage you to contact your legislators’ Springfield offices to let them know you will be in Springfield that day and wish to meet with the legislators.

Meeting Attachments-Try this one!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:28:30 -0800

It has not been a good computer day, 2 in a row.

Hopefully the attachment works this time.

John

Click Here

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE--Attachments

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:20:18 -0800

Oops,

The attachments didn't come through. Sorry about that.

John

Click Here

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE--STIPEND AND LEGISLATION ONLY

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:28:45 -0800

iLLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF COURT CLERKS

SPECIAL MEETING : MARCH 17, 2010 9:15 AM

HILTON, 700 E. ADAMS
SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS 62701
MEETING IN PLAZA RM 3

ISSUES OF STIPENED AND LEGISLATION ONLY!

WHEN MEETING IS FINISHED WE WILL BE GOING TO THE CAPITOL TO TALK TO LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE STIPENED. HOPE TO BE DONE FOR DAY BY 1:00.

***ZONE CHAIRS PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ZONE MEMBERS ARE AWEAR OF THIS MEETING. Phone trees would probably be the best to make sure all are notified. (Not all emails go to the person! THANKS)

TO ANSWER A FEW MORE QUESTIONS PLEASE READ THE OTHER ATTACHMENT.

If you are traveling on the 16th and want a room at the Hilton call 1-800-hiltons (445-8667) / code for block of rooms is ACC These rooms will only be held until March 03, 10. I have held 15 rooms.

Agenda will follow at a later date. Remember it will only be for the two issues.

Hope many can attend.

Thanks
Becky Jansen

HFS IT Project - Confidential

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:03:55 -0800

February 16, 2010

LOOKING FOR VOLUTEERS!!!!

Would some Clerks be willing to set up and help.

Thanks

Becky Jansen

_____________________________________________________

Hello Ms Jensen,

Recapping our phone conversation - HFS is starting the process of evaluating current systems and business practices for transmitting child support data between the Circuit Clerks’ offices, the SDU, and the state system, KIDS. Because all services and products will be obtained through competitive procurement, do not discuss this with any vendors or contractors. Internal discussions with fellow clerks and clerks’ staff is fine. The goal is to eventually replace or enhance the current Circuit Clerk Interface (CCI) known as the SDU Circuit Clerk Extranet. HFS Office of Information Services (OIS) will be taking the lead on the project with DCSE and Circuit Clerk participation.

This project will probably take at least 2-3 years to complete and we are looking for circuit clerk representation in the following areas:

IACC Legislative Report for January 22, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:05:28 -0800

Illinois Association of Circuit Court Clerks Legislative Report
as of January 22, 2010

New bills added to this report: HB 4982, SB 2595, 2607, 2630

HB 4718 – Lang (D-Skokie)

Shell bill amending the Clerks of Courts Act filed on behalf of Cook County Circuit Clerk. Currently in House Rules Committee.

HB 4719 – Lang (D-Skokie)

Shell bill amending the Clerks of Courts Act filed on behalf of Cook County Circuit Clerk. Currently in House Rules Committee.

HB 4822 – Black (R-Danville)

Provides that the Division of Probation Services is established as an independent agency headed by a Director appointed by the Governor, rather than as a Division of the Illinois Supreme Court. Currently in House Rules Committee.

HB 4847 – Turner (D-Chicago)

Amends the Juvenile Court Act to provide that if the minor is unable to appear in person due to active military duty or attending school out of state, the court can hold the hearing in their absence given appropriate proof is provided. Filed with the House Clerk.

HB 4982 – Fritchey (D-Chicago)

Freedom of Information Request From Lauer, Lawson and Carter

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:21:34 -0800

Dear Fellow Clerks,

I have received an email in regards to a Freedom of Information Request (FOI), that I think we all probably received from Lauer, Lawson and Carter.

Please if anyone has a different answer let us know!!!

I called Lauer, Lawson and Carter in regards to the letter request for information. I stated to them they would have to give me case number to search. I also told them we would not know what files had or if it did have that information in it.

I also told them we would charge for all searches of files and not sure if we even had that information. The person told me to not worry about it and not to do anything, I gave her the state of Illinois cash dash information.
She had asked about the probate files and I told her we don’t get that information in every file if at all but every file would have to be gone through and again we would charge. If she gave us a case number to search we would send copies.
She seem happy with the information I gave her on the cash dash and said again not to worry about it.
I sent an email to her explaining our conversation to cover myself.
She didn’t really know where or how to find what they wanted, they were fishing in my thoughts.

John King has provided a copy of the letter he received along with a copy of his response letter and the sample letter provided by Chris Kachiroubas.

Click Here

Becky Jansen
President
IACC 2010

Rita Porter Update

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:38:32 -0800

Received from Rita on 01/03/10

Dear Fellow Clerks,

I wanted to thank everyone for their cards, emails, calls,prayers, thoughts and many acts of kindness shown to me before and after my surgery.

I had my surgery on December 18. I had hoped to have what they call VATS (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery) where the surgeon makes a 2-3 inch incision under my arm with a couple of smaller incisions for the video. Once they started they were not able to do this and had to do the more invasive surgery where they made an incision starting in middle of back at shoulder blade and down and all around to side. The mass was around one of the ribs--not attached. So the surgeon had to remove a portion of the rib that the mass was around. I had a couple of problems but nothing too major---blood pressure bottomed out at one point and then my heart rate got out of whack. They were able to get all under control.

I got discharged on the 22nd and came home. There is no place like home!!! Had a wonderful Christmas with family.

I go back to Barnes on the 11th of January for a CT scan and appt with doctor.

Recovery is going well but not fast enough!!! I am not one to be waited on and want to do for myself but I am trying hard to do as I am told. I keep reminding myself that it has been a little over 2 weeks!!

Leglislation Effective January 1, 2010

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:38 -0800

Dear Clerks,

Below is listed the new laws that your Association has been tracking this year as well as their effective dates. Most of these laws are effective Jan. 1, 2010.

This is from the list that Carla Bender provided me and will at least alert you to leglislation that you will need to review. You can go to the Illinois General Assembly web site and search by the bill number or the Public Act number.

If you have questions please email me direct, DO NOT HIT THE REPLY BUTTON

Deb Seyller seyllerdeb@co.kane.il.us
IACC Leglislative Co-Chair

_____________________

IACC 2009 Spring Legislative session

HB 151 – Public Act 96-0137 Effective 01/01/10 Secretary of State Will repository

HB 255 - Public Act 96-0034 Effective 01/01/10 Violations & penalties of overweights – add’l fine

HB 3691 – Public Act 96-0302 Effective 01/01/10 Mandatory Arbitration Eliminates one fund and adds another in its place

Rita Porter, Clay County Circuit Clerk Update

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:14:24 -0800

Happy Holidays and hope all is well with each of you.

This is an update on Rita Porter, Clay County Circuit Clerk.

I just talked with her husband this Monday morning, December 21, 2009. Rita's surgery went very well (Friday, Dec. 18). The tumor was cancerous and they had to remove the lower right lobe of her lung and a very small portion of her rib that it had attached to. The lymph nodes surrounding it looked good, but were taken and sent away and will know the results when she goes back to the doctor for a follow-up. She did excellent through her surgery and was still in recovery. If all goes as expected, she should be home by the 23rd of December. Her room had not been assigned yet, but she is in Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO. I will keep you posted when I hear more.

Ronda Yates
Marion County Circuit Clerk
Zone II Chairman

IMPORTANT---ECO Opt Out Date

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:01:50 -0800

December 16, 2009

TO: Illinois Auditors, Circuit Clerks, Coroners, Sheriffs, Supervisor of Assessments, Treasurers

FROM: Nancy L. Krumwiede, IACO President

On Monday, December 14th, there was a conference call regarding the stipend issue. Included in the phone call were affiliate presidents, their lobbyist/executive directors and members of the IACO board.

At the conclusion of the hour long conference call, it was the consensus that the lobbyist/executive directors will meet on January 9th and write legislation to present in the spring for the additional stipend/reimbursement money the Department of Revenue is cutting.

The lobbyist will then meet with the IACO Executive Board on January 12th in Springfield to discuss the proposed legislation.

I have called IMRF regarding the date to opt out of ECO and freeze your salary for retirement purposes. After talking with Louie Kosiba and Kathy at IMRF, they feel the date in place has to stay. One, people have already opted out and this would not be fair to them to change the date. Two, just because we submit legislation does not mean it won’t pass in the spring and this would be a moog point. Or the Governor could not sign it in August or who knows what reason it may or may not get reimbursed. I wish we could have extended the date a third time, but what date would work? DOR already does not follow the constitution.