Judiciary staff told the LaSalle County board that caseloads have increased and operational costs are mounting, with two juvenile placements and several upcoming trials that will require experts and additional resources.

"For the juvenile statistics for caseload, LaSalle County, we've got a 100 active caseload for the month of September with a 7 administrative," a court staff member reported. For adult statistics the staff reported an active adult caseload of 482 and an administrative caseload of 288 (first reported at 06:45).

Probation fee activity was presented: probation fees ordered (examples given for Lewisville) and collections for September. The report listed probation fees ordered to date of $84,750 and collected to date of $47,925.05; collections in September included $4,902 (reported at 06:45).

Judiciary staff described current outlays for operations and case support. "We had a bill for Bill Walsh for $25.07 5 $2,577.71. That was, maintenance on the 3 current county cars we have," the report said, listing repairs and replacement tires. The office reported $3,180.20 for two replacement laptops and a $750 emergency housing payment for a youth placed in extended housing (08:39).

Staff said the judiciary contract expires Nov. 30, 2025, and that negotiations with the union have begun. "We've started negotiations with the union," staff said (10:25).

Court staff also announced the new Thirteenth Judicial Circuit website launched on Oct. 14, funded through a Quartet grant, and that interviews are underway to fill two full-time bailiff positions. The site will link jury services and county pages across the three counties in the circuit, and is intended to provide resources for self-represented litigants (11:45).

Board members asked whether larger budgeted funds could be used to assist individuals in need; staff confirmed some funds are available within the probation-related accounts but emphasized fiscal caution in allocations (10:37).

Board members approved the judiciary and related reports during the meeting by voice vote. Staff said they will continue to track expert-witness costs and juvenile placement expenditures as several serious criminal cases proceed through the calendar.