Title
Joint resolution authorizing and emergency appropriation in the amount of $430,000, with offsetting revenue, in the Circuit Court’s budget.
Staff Summary
• Public Act 98-1132 mandates that jurors will be paid $25 for the first day of service and $50 per day for every day after, effective June 1, 2015.
• This increase has resulted in juror fees increasing from an average of $3,900 per week to $9,800 per week; a 151 percent increase.
• The Court’s budget is not adequate to absorb this increase which is estimated at $150,000 for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2015.
• Additionally, the arrest of over twenty individuals under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) has necessitated hiring several conflict attorneys.
• These attorneys are appointed only in cases where having an attorney from the Public Defender’s Office would be a conflict of interest.
• Due to the seriousness and complexity of the criminal charges, attorney fees are estimated to be in the $30,000 to $50,000 range per attorney.
• The Court’s budget is not adequate to absorb these unanticipated costs.
• The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) recently announced that the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit would receive $1,225,053 more in salary reimbursement for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015 than previously awarded and a portion of these funds is being emergency appropriated to cover the above unexpected expenses.
• An emergency appropriation of $150,000 for juror fees and $280,000 for conflict attorneys, with offsetting revenue from salary reimbursements, is requested.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Public Act 98-1132 mandates that jurors will be paid $25 for the first day of service and $50 per day for every day after, effective June 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the increase has resulted in juror fees increasing from an average of $3,900 per week to $9,800 per week; a 151 percent increase; and
WHEREAS, the arrest of over 20 individuals under the RICO has necessitated hiring several conflict attorneys in cases where having an attorney from the Public Defender’s Office would be a conflict of interest; and
WHEREAS, due to the seriousness and complexity of the criminal charges, attorney fees could be in the range of $30,000 to $50,000 per case; and
WHEREAS, the Court’s budget is not adequate to pay these unanticipated expenses; and
WHEREAS, the AOIC announced that the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit would receive $1,225,053 more in salary reimbursement for SFY 2014 than previously awarded; and
WHEREAS, an emergency appropriation, with offsetting revenue, is needed for the remainder of the FY.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that an increase of $430,000 in the Court’s budget, with offsetting revenue as detailed in the attached chart of accounts, is hereby approved.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 8, 2015.