Unpaid Fines, Fees Will be Taken from State Payments: Will County Circuit Clerk

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Circuit Clerk’s office has initiated phase two of its efforts to collect unpaid fines and fees.

“As another way to increase collections, our office has entered into an agreement with the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office Local Debt Recovery Program, which allows deductions from income tax refunds, state employee paychecks and other state disbursements to pay for fines and fees due and owing to the county, local municipality and state government as ordered by the court,” Will County Circuit Clerk Pam McGuire said in a news release.

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McGuire initiated a collection program in April 2007 to help lessen the burden on Will County taxpayers, she said. Since then, her office has collected $25,474,731.73.

On Jan. 1, 2016, McGuire’s office began working with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office on an intercept program. Since that time, $776,758.88 has been collected on behalf of Will County, local municipalities and the State of Illinois.

“I urge anyone who owes court fines or costs to pay them on time to avoid additional collections costs or having your funds intercepted by the State,” McGuire said.

To check for an outstanding balance or review court records, public access terminals are available at three Circuit Clerk locations:

• Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., 2nd Floor, Joliet
• River Valley Juvenile Justice Center, 3210 W. McDonough Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet
• Will County Court Annex Building, 57 N. Ottawa Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet

Case information can also be found on the Internet by visiting the circuit clerk’s website at www.circuitclerkofwillcounty.com and selecting the “Case Lookup” feature, searching by party name, case or ticket number.

If you have any additional questions, you can email or call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 815-727- 8592 or circuit_clerk@willcountyillinois.com.