Title
Joint Resolution approving a new full-time interpreter position in the Judicial Operations Division of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit; the subsequent elimination of an existing part-time interpreter position, and a line item transfer in the amount of $10,302.
Staff Summary
• The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit has a statutory requirement to provide interpreting services in the criminal courts.
• These services are currently provided by one full-time interpreter, three part-time interpreters (two vacancies at this time), contractual interpreters, and the language line.
• The increasing need for interpreting services combined with difficulties in recruiting and retaining part-time interpreters resulted in the Court’s decision to identify the conversion of a part-time interpreter to a full-time interpreter as the number one priority for the FY09 budget process.
• A recent change in procedures regarding contract interpreters will increase the current demand for interpreters, necessitating the conversion of one part-time position to one full-time position at this time instead of at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
• Line item transfer of $10,302 from the general operating expense account 101-1102040-51135 to the appropriate court administration accounts is sufficient funding to cover the cost of this position for the remainder of FY2008, with ongoing funding to be allocated during the FY2009 budget process.
Body
WHEREAS, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit has a statutory requirement to provide interpreting services in the criminal courts; and
WHEREAS, one full-time interpreter, three part-time interpreters (two vacancies at this time), contractual interpreters, and the language line currently provide interpreting services; and
WHEREAS, the increasing need for interpreting services combined with difficulties in recruiting and retaining part-time interpreters resulted in the Court’s decision to identify the conversion of a part-time interpreter to a full-time interpreter as the number one priority for the FY09 budget process; and
WHEREAS, the Circuit Judges recently decided that all in-courtroom interpretation be provided by the Court to reduce the logistical coordination by the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office and private attorneys, and to provide a higher degree of consistency in the courtrooms of the interpretations of their witnesses; and
WHEREAS, the anticipated increased demand for interpreters necessitates the conversion of one part-time position to one full-time position at this time instead of at the beginning of the next fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, there is sufficient funding designated for potential interpreting needs in the general operating expense account to cover this position for the rest of fiscal year 2008, with ongoing funding to be allocated during the FY2009 budget process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that one full-time interpreter position (grade 10) be created in the Judicial Operations division (101-3200010); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the part-time interpreter position 14384 be eliminated in the Judicial Operations division; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a line item transfer is authorized in the amount of $10,302 from the general operating expense account 101-1102040-51135 to the following court administration accounts:
101-3200010-51110 $5,387 Full-time salaries and wages
101-3200010-74080 $3,994 H-L-D employee benefits
101-3200010-74100 $ 412 FICA
101-3200010-74110 $ 509 IMRF
DATED, at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on this 12th day of August, A.D., 2008.