(A) (1) The Circuit Clerk maintains an automated record keeping system.
(2) The statute 705 ILCS 105/27.3a authorizes the County Board to require the Clerk of the Circuit Court to charge and collect a fee for the establishment and maintenance of an automated record keeping system.
(3) The statute 705 ILCS 105/27.3a has been amended by Pub. Act 94-595 to increase the maximum allowable court automation fee from $5 to $15.
(Prior Code, § 6-17-1)
(B) (1) The expenses of establishing and maintaining the automated record keeping system in the office of the Circuit Clerk shall be defrayed by collection of a court automation fee in the amount of $15 by the Circuit Clerk.
(2) Such fee shall be paid at the time of filing the first pleading, paper, or appearance filed by each party in all civil cases, or by the defendant in any felony, traffic, misdemeanor, municipal ordinance, or conservation case upon a judgment of guilty or grant of supervision. No additional fee shall be charged if more than one party is represented in a single pleading, paper, or other appearance. This fee shall be collected in the same manner in which all other fees and costs are collected.
(3) The Circuit Clerk shall charge and collect a court automation fee of $5 on any traffic case satisfied without a court appearance pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 529.
(4) The Circuit Clerk shall commence collecting such fee under the provisions of this section upon receipt of written notice from the Chairperson of the County Board, along with a certified copy of this section.
(5) The fee authorized herein shall be in addition to all other fees and charges of the Circuit Clerk and may be waived only if a judge specifically provides for such waiver.
(6) The fee shall be remitted monthly by the Circuit Clerk to the County Treasurer to be retained in a special fund designated as the Court Automation Fund. This fund shall be subject to audit by the County Auditor, and the County Board may make expenditures therefrom in payment of costs related to the automation of court records, including hardware, software, research, and development costs, and the cost of personnel related thereto, provided such expenditure is approved by the Circuit Clerk and by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court, or his or her designate. The fee shall not be charged in any matter coming on a change of venue, nor in an administrative review proceeding.
(Prior Code, § 6-17-2)
(Res. passed 1-17-2006)