The circuit clerk of Tazewell County told the County Board that the office’s duties are set by state law and court rules and gave a snapshot of workload and finances at the board meeting.

“The office of the circuit clerk was created by the constitution of the state of Illinois and is a non judicial officer of the judicial branch,” the circuit clerk said, describing responsibilities that include maintaining court records, assigning case numbers, scheduling court dates and handling fees. The clerk told the board the office disbursed $6,600,000 in 2023.

Why it matters: the circuit clerk’s office is the county’s primary recordkeeper for criminal, civil, traffic, family and juvenile cases and oversees jury administration for the county. Changes in staffing, recordkeeping and jury processes affect case flow, public access to records and county budgets.

During remarks the circuit clerk said the office “accepted 21,625 case filings” last year and that “13,357 of these” were in a category the clerk referenced during the presentation. The clerk also said the office absorbed jury administration duties in 2018 and described an earlier split in 1980 when jury operations were placed separately for personnel reasons.

The clerk told the board the office has reduced headcount from 41 to 20 over 13 years and that those reductions have resulted in “an accumulated savings of well over $4,000,000 to the county,” attributing the efficiencies to staff and attrition rather than hiring freezes.

The clerk recognized staff who were present, including Cindy Bundy, Denise Duffin, Gina Eisvelker, Caleb Zobris and Jack Hobson, whom the clerk identified as the office’s technology expert.

No formal board action was taken on the clerk’s report; the presentation was given as a communication from an elected official and followed by brief questions from board members.

The board moved on after the presentation to public comment and other agenda items.