1 Front Volume 142 No. 17
Friday, April 1, 2016
Single Copy Cost 50¢
E-filing and civil court cases Supreme Court ruling changes how documents are filed By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — The decision recently announced by the Supreme Court of Illinois declared that by Jan. 1, 2018, all circuit courts within the state must be filing their civil case court documents electronically. This decision ensures the use of technology in order to make the system function more efficiently. E-filing means documents
may be filed at any time and from any location. Attorneys and self-represented litigants will no longer have to travel to the clerk’s office before the close of business or to the post office to ensure a document is postmarked on time. “This will allow the people of LaSalle County and their counsel, if represented by an attorney, to file cases, or pleadings within their case, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. They will no longer be required to come into the courthouse or send their documentation through the mail or delivery service, which will save time and money. The vendor or vendors we choose will seamlessly integrate with our court management software allowing greater efficiency within the court system,” said LaSalle County Circuit Clerk Jim Olson.
LaSalle County has already been taking steps toward making sure the transition between methods goes smoothly. “The recent Supreme Court decision is not unexpected. It has been being discussed for a number of years, starting at the federal level and working its way down to the appellate court (mandated for Jan. 1, 2017) and finally at the circuit court level effective Jan. 1, 2018. With the
cooperation of our court software vendor, we have already begun exploring our options for an e-filing vendor. We have begun the necessary steps to file our application with the State of Illinois for both civil and criminal e-filing,” said Olson. These changes, though beneficial, will come at an expense. Courts will have to acquire and arrange for the necessary equipment and technical sup-
port. They will also have to provide space and assistance for self-represented litigants who don’t have access to a computer and are seeking to e-file documents during regular court hours. “Implementing any new system is a challenge, but we have already set the wheels in motion to be up and running prior to January 2018. Behind the
Filing Page 2
Technical/electrical issues discussed at Lostant By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
With the state’s budget impasses, the lack of state dollars impacts the Putnam County Community Center, which is used by several residents in the Tonica/Lostant area.
Feeling the effects of no state budget Putnam County Community Center feels the effect of no state budget By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
STANDARD — The Putnam County Community Center (PCCC) is a small but important link in making sure residents are healthy and in good spirits. Without this community outreach program, there could be people needing assistance, or perhaps just a friendly visit, who wouldn’t receive it. As with many state-funded entities, there are considerable funds being withheld due to the state being unable to pass a budget. The small staff and others involved with the center continue their good work though and are determined to keep it going.
Vol. 142 No. 17 Two Sections - 20 Pages
© The Tonica News
PCCC Executive Director Michelle Slutz described the funding challenges the center faces. “We receive federal and state funding; but we have to match the federal money, and we have to raise that ourselves through a variety of fundraisers. The federal part of our budget is only a part though. The state owes us $20,000, and some of the core programs we provide like our Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) or our Congregate Meal Program are state-funded, and we’re not getting any money for those. Costs for building maintenance and the monthly utilities are also a large amount,” said Slutz.
Attendance at the many monthly activities and programs has remained steady, but Slutz spoke of the importance of outreach worker Tamara Beaber’s addition to the center last year. “We had Tamara come on board last March as our outreach worker, and she has done a fantastic job of identifying people who have needs and who we previously hadn’t reached in the community. It’s great she’s been finding these people, but it’s also alarming because without her, those people would go without the help they need. Her salary is state-funded. She
No budget Page 2
LOSTANT — The school in Lostant might be possessed, as jokingly suggested by one board member— or it might simply need work done on its electrical systems. Technical issues with the sound and lighting at the school were topics of discussion at the school board meeting Wednesday, March 23. The issue was brought up in relation to the school’s speakers, which were said to make it difficult to hear during events such as plays and ceremonies. Superintendent Sandra Malahy explained the problem is not with the speakers, so much as it is with the other equipment. “It’s not a speaker problem,” Malahy said. “It’s a microphone problem. This is the problem: the microphone we have is called a direct (microphone). It’s not a surround sound.” Malahy said if the school upgrades the microphones, it might also have to acquire new equipment to work with the devices. “It’s a domino effect,” she said. This is not to say there are no issues with the speakers. Malahy said the speakers, when set up, were put at the front of the stage in such a way that students cannot hear what comes out of them until
the sound bounces back, causing a delay. All these upgrades cost money, which is an issue in itself. “We do not have it to spend,” Malahy said. “So it would have to be some sort of donation or fundraiser.” The school’s issues with technology do not stop there. A problem with the lighting was also mentioned. “One day I’ll leave here at midnight, and they’re off; next day I’ll leave here at midnight, and they’re on,” Malahy said before repeating with a slightly different scenario. “I’ll be here at 6:30 and they’re off; next day I’m here at 6:30 and they’re on. “We have had two electricians in,” Malahy said. “No one can find out what is going on with the lights. Everything is goofed up. We don’t know why right now.” “Possessed,” said board member Quillard Skinner. “School’s possessed.” The lighting needs changes too, which means money is again a factor. “I think we’re in for an electrical overhaul,” Malahy said. In other discussion, the board discussed Senate Bill 100, which would make changes in areas relating to student discipline. “Roughly what the state has done,” Malahy said,
Issues Page 3