The Early Resolution Program In the Cook County

The Early Resolution Program In the Cook County Court Domestic Relations Division Presenters: W. Sterling Cary, Administrative Hearing Officer Nairee Hagopian, Division Administrator Gail Katz, Administrative Hearing Officer November 6, 2019

Statistics • 50% of civil cases involved a self represented litigant on at least one side. • In some instances, that number has grown to 80% depending on the case type. • 2013 – Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County reported that there were 41, 000 cases in our division that had at least one party that is pro se.

Hearing Officers • The Division consolidated in February 2017. • Hearing Officers hear IV-D cases and cases referred by our judges: ü Draft Agreed Parenting Plans; ü Assigned cases pertaining to contested financial matters; ü Draft Agreed Orders and Judgments; and ü Now triage cases for the Early Resolution Program. • Maywood and Markham

Overview of the Early Resolution Pilot Program • The Early Resolution Program (ERP) was developed by Presiding Judge Grace Dickler, her staff, the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC) and in partnership with the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice to meet the demands of the growing population of self represented litigants in the Domestic Relations Division while furthering the mission of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission particularly to “promote, facilitate, and enhance equal access to justice”. • Launched in October 2018, the program is funded by a grant through the AOIC and the Circuit Court of Cook County, Office of the Chief Judge. • The foundation of the program is built around the self represented litigant and their journey to efficiently resolve their case in fewer court appearances. • On the flipside: The program also reduces obstacles and time spent by the judiciary on those cases where there are self represented litigants.

Benefits of the Program • Judges ü It reduces docket congestion; ü Litigants will have typed documents; and ü Litigants will be able to express themselves with substance • Program Participants ü Educated on court process; ü Handed customized resources; ü Reduction in days off taken for court; and ü Less contentious cases can be resolved in 2 court appearances.

Pathways • Meeting with a hearing officer the same day; • Meeting with a hearing officer at a future date for extensive session; • Meeting with the hearing officer for prove up readiness; and • Case will be sent back to the calendar.

A Successful ERP Triage • Provide a less confrontational setting with SRLs; • Familiarize litigants about the court process and how to navigate through the court system; and • To have less contentious cases brought to final disposition within 30 or 60 days of the ERP triage date.

Selection and Scheduling • A report of cases is provided to the PJ from the Clerk’s Office which contains SRL filings where a summons has been issued; • Each case is vetted to see whether the case has already been resolved; • An invitation letter is sent with the ERP date together with an order entered by the Presiding Judge. Our practice is to schedule 30 to 45 days after the case has been filed; and • ERP is held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons beginning at 12: 15 p. m.

ERP Triage Day • • • Check In in CL 24; Interpreter Services; Domestic Violence Screening; Meeting with Gail or Sterling (Triage Hearing Officers); and Completion of Early Resolution Pilot Program Order with selection of the pathway determined by Gail or Sterling.

What happens after the ERP • A copy of the order is entered by Judge Dickler; • A copy of the ERP Triage Report and entered Order is emailed to the judges; • A hard copy is also delivered to the judges; and • Our office compiles statistics.

Goals and Plans Our office has once again submitted a request for grant funds from the AOIC. • Goals and Plans: • ERP Extension Program • More Collaboration with Community-Based Organizations • Collaborate with court-based partners through the AOIC SRL Coordinator Program; • More access for face to face conversations, phone calls and written correspondence to SRL • Improve resources for SRLs which includes resources to explain basic legal concepts and standard court procedures. o Virtual-reality video o Hard copy resource pages o Improve Domestic Relations page on the Circuit Court’s Webpage