PCR-04-13-2016

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Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 33

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Cameras in the courtroom Putnam County approved for camera use

By Dave Cook

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

HENNEPIN — A pilot project launched in 2012 allowing the use of media cameras in certain courtrooms on an experimental basis has concluded. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman has announced the court has adopted a permanent policy for extended media coverage (EMC) in the circuit courts of Illinois. Since the pilot program, 15 judicial circuits have been approved to implement EMC, and more than

450 media requests have been made under the policy. Based on the program’s success and the court’s goal of promoting greater transparency, the justices have ended the program’s status as a pilot project and will now allow each circuit court to decide if it wants to implement the use of EMC. According to the press release, Chief Justice Garman said, “At every level of the judicial system, we do the people’s work, and the people have an interest in observing how the judicial process functions. We are pleased with the suc-

cess of the pilot project and with the great cooperation we have received from the media. It is time to make EMC more widely available.” The Supreme Court has amended the policy to include a standard application form to be submitted by the chief judge of a judicial circuit interested in allowing news cameras in its courtrooms. The new form will ensure consistency and efficiency by requiring information about the logistics of allowing cameras in the applicant circuit, implementation dates,

technological capabilities, the court’s media liaison function, administrative orders and local rules or policies related to EMC. The court has also created a new form for quarterly submissions of EMC activity, so the court can monitor the program and address any problems or concerns as they develop. The 10th Circuit Court of which Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Stark and Tazewell counties are a part will be included in this new program. Tenth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Stephen Kouri

has previously said in a press release, “We’ve held several meetings with judges and area media to ensure that while cameras are allowed in the courtroom, justice is not compromised in any manner.” Putnam County State’s Attorney Christina Mennie said, “There are court proceedings which are prohibited from media coverage involving photography, audio and/or video recording. Examples of those proceedings are adoptions, juvenile, family, jury selection, etc. Media coverage is also prohibited from any

audio pick-up, broadcast or recording of a conference between co-counsel or attorneys and the judge. All attorney materials are restricted unless displayed for the judge and/or jurors or entered into evidence as an exhibit.” Mennie also shared her concerns with the program. “I haven’t personally dealt with it yet, but as state’s attorney, my foremost concern is the effect of a camera on victims and witnesses. We need to safeguard victims’ rights and great deference should be accorded,” Mennie said.

Snowplow field trip Granville Village Board to go truck shopping By Dave Cook

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

PCR photo/Dave Cook

Granville librarians Bernie Egan (from left) and Linda Garcia stand in front of the media collection display in the new Granville branch of the Putnam County Library. A print of a triptych from Swiss artist Hermann Rudisuhli, donated by the Class of 1920, hangs on the wall above. The artwork displayed throughout the library hasn’t been seen publicly since the destruction of the Hopkins High School Museum.

Granville Library to host grand opening By Dave Cook

news@putnamcountyrecord.com

GRANVILLE — After decades of sharing space with the Granville Township Office, the new branch of the Putnam County Library in Granville is happy to announce it will be celebrating its grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, selections from the film “Short His-

tory of Putnam County” will be shown throughout the day until the library closes at 3 p.m. The new library will offer patrons almost twice the space and will provide an expanded book, audiobook and DVD collection. The media room offers public computers with Internet access and free Wi-Fi. The larger space also includes reading areas and enough space for programs such as computer classes,

book clubs and summer reading events for both adults and children. The library is proud to be the new home for art that hasn’t been publicly seen since the Hopkins High School Museum was destroyed. Throughout the library are prints from Swiss artist Hermann Rudisuhli (1864-1945), including a triptych donated by the Class of 1920. “We’re proud to have this art

and feel like we’re doing a service to the history of the community,” librarian Linda Garcia said. Games and crafts will be available for children and families, and there will be door prizes and refreshments. DVD copies of “Short History of Putnam County” will be available for purchase during the grand opening. For more information, call 815-339-2038.

GRANVILLE — The Granville Village Board continued the process of finding a new snowplow truck for the village during its most recent meeting. The decision was made to obtain pre-approved financing from All States Peterbilt in Tomah, Wis., because of their wide selection of trucks fitting the village’s criteria. Board members discussed arranging a field trip to Wisconsin to view the dealership’s selection; the village is looking for a late model, low mileage truck for approximately $60,000. To finance the new truck the board is planning on using the expected $8,000 to $10,000 from the old truck plus the $10,000 in the budget toward the down payment. The board will plan to pay off the remaining balance the following year. After discussions of how to assist with the raising of funds, Granville Village Trustee Jim Pettit said, “We need to keep the burden off of the property taxes.” In other business: • The board received a bid of $4,800 to replace the mulch at both parks, which is $100 cheaper than the last time it was replaced.

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Vol. 148 No. 33

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