Excerpt from Annual Report of the Illinois Courts: Administrative Summary 2002

As I near the mid-point of my three year term as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, it is my privilege to present, on behalf of the Illinois Judicial Branch, the 2003 Annual Report of the Illinois Courts. This report provides an overview of the Illinois Judicial Branch, summarizes major Supreme Court projects initiated during calendar year 2003, reviews the work of the Illinois Judicial Conference and the Court's several committees, and presents a general overview of the funding and operations of the judicial system. Included in the Report is a brief overview of the various divisions and functions of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, which serves as the Supreme Court's administrative arm.

As one of the three pillars of government defined by the Illinois Constitution, the Illinois Judicial Branch is vital to the social well-being of the people of Illinois. I am pleased to report that the Illinois Judicial Branch is strong, and has persevered despite this current time of fiscal shortages and budget cuts. The Judicial Branch, with its state fiscal year 2004 appropriation less than funds actually expended in fiscal year 2002, continues to respond effectively to ever increasing responsibilities and to deliver the highest quality of justice. The state appropriation for funding the Courts is less than 1% of the state's total budget. The number of state paid judicial branch employees decreased by almost 9% this year, some as a result of the state's offered early retirement incentive, and other positions, including census authorized judgeships, have been left unfilled because of fiscal shortages. However, the total number of annual case filings remains fairly constant. Further, the courts in Illinois, which are among the heaviest dockets in the entire nation, disposed of more than million cases in calendar year 2002 a phenomenal achievement. The Judicial Branch of Illinois continues to share the responsibility for the effective and efficient stewardship of state fiscal resources with the Executive and Legislative Branches. We stand as an equal partner with our sister branches of government in contributing to the fiscal well-being of our state. It has been offered that the best bridge to the future is one that is anchored in the proven values of the past. For the Illinois Judicial Branch, the value of highest priority is the continued ability to provide the citizens of Illinois a system of justice anchored in integrity and excellence.

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