Clerk Martinez Shares Office Modernization Highlights
Iris Martinez was elected in November 2020 as Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. She is the first Latina to hold that office in the second-largest court system in the country, with 1,509 full-time positions, a budget of $128 million and 3.9 million active files.
Clerk Martinez was the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters of Cook County’s annual Food for Thought Luncheon, held July 28 at the DePaul Center in Chicago. Interviewed by Chicago League member Pris Mims, Clerk Martinez’s remarks focused on the changes which have been made during her tenure.
As the official “keeper of Cook County’s court records,” the Clerk had a full plate from day one to modernize an office that still used carbon paper.
The office has hired over 350 new employees to fill vacancies. Within 18 months, it was released from the Shakman decree for successfully complying with the prescribed hiring practices. The office also began cross-training staff so every clerk had the knowledge to move seamlessly from one court division to another.
Iris Martinez (center), Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, with Cynthia Schilsky, president of the League of Women Voters of Cook County, and Pris Mims, a Chicago League member who conducted the interview.
The Clerk’s website was completely redesigned and transitioned to a new case management system. In brief, the office collects and disperses filing fees, provides services to more than 400 judges and deploys electronic filing tools such as document imaging and e-filing. Both a digital copy and an original hard copy must be stored. “We never get rid of paper but have gotten rid of carbon paper,” she said with a smile.
A new Customer Service Center (CSC) has been averaging 1,200 calls daily. The call center makes it easier for County residents to obtain answers to court-related questions without going to a County facility physically.
To accommodate an increase of pro se litigants, an arrangement was made with Cabrini Green Legal Services (CGLS) to provide in-person information and assistance on clearing a criminal record in Illinois through expungement, sealing and clemency.
The Clerk’s office has provided services for a pilot program of extended hours for victims of domestic violence who need Orders of Protection.
Asked whether the courts will be ready for the recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Illinois statute to eliminate cash bail starting in September, Clerk Martinez predicted the need for a significant increase in court and ancillary services, which will require more personnel and funding.