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October 31, 2023
A new case management system will change the way court information is developed and shared within Lake County through a new Integrated Case Management System (ICMS).
Earlier this week, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court and Lake County Circuit Clerk, Public Defender and State's Attorney offices rolled out the new system that will reduce delays, errors, and limitations associated with paper files and improve customer service.
The new suite of tools will make information more accessible to the public. Individuals will be able to obtain additional data and documents about court cases and court calls from their homes and offices without the need to travel to the courthouse for basic services. The public also can pay court-ordered fines and fees online 24 hours a day. Attorneys will have an enhanced level of access to their cases.
"In Lake County, it is critically important that all residents have access to justice regardless of their ability to come in person," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. "We want to ensure the promises and protections of our criminal and civil legal system to all residents in every community."
Since 1997, justice partners had been using a system that could no longer support the court system's needs for data sharing. The new web browser-based system can be configured to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
In 2015, the justice partners began pursuing a new ICMS platform. Journal Technologies was one of eight vendors that responded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in 2017. In 2019, the Lake County Board approved Journal Technologies as the vendor to implement the new ICMS.
“This new digital docketing system will allow us to better serve victims and survivors. It will allow us to incorporate a texting system for victims and witnesses that was granted to us in 2022 by the Illinois legislature. It will also allow our office to better capture data so that we can secure even more grants and better inform the public of larger trends in the justice system,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said.
Todd Schroeder, Executive Director of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit stated, “Our circuit court is excited to welcome eCourt which will provide judges, attorneys, and litigants with access to real-time case information and documents 24 hours a day and provide opportunities to enhance efficiencies within the justice system. I cannot thank the Court’s eCourt team enough for their tireless efforts these past couple years to make this new system a reality for everyone.”
Historical cases from the previous system have been migrated to the new system. Access to restricted case types will be allowed only for registered attorneys-of-record on the case.
“My staff has worked tirelessly for several years developing a system designed to provide us with the information needed to effectively represent our clients. We are ready to see these plans become a reality and are excited by the system’s capabilities,” said Joy Gossman of the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.
“We are excited to announce the new system will be up and running on October 30. This has been a goal of mine since the first day I stepped foot in the Circuit Clerk’s Office, and I am so happy to have brought it to fruition,” said Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court Erin Cartwright-Weinstein. “My staff has worked hard and have shown true leadership throughout the process. This will change the way the courts do business and provide better access to justice for all users.”
For more information about accessing court records, visit the justice partner websites:
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