We had purchased a high speed scanner and Adobe Acrobat program to easily convert paper into digital images. By 4:00 p.m., I had finished the final edit and we were ready to file. By 4:15 p.m., the clerk’s office system acknowledged receipt. No need to serve my opponent, as the system did that automatically. Time to whoop-it-up!

Three years ago I didn’t have a computer at my desk, a digital scanner, internet access or a cell phone. Now, I don’t know how I could survive without any of them. I once heard that technology is like a tornado. It starts slowly but as you get further down the funnel cloud of technological advancement, the pre-existing winds of change increase exponentially and new advancements come out faster and more furiously. I’m not sure where we are now in that twister but it feels like we’re speeding up daily. Whether that’s all for the better may be debatable. I’m not really sure how my television works, but I sure like my wide screen HD and 150 cable channels.

Once again, DuPage County is at the forefront of technological change. Like it or not, change is inevitable. In 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court established a policy for implementation of an electronic filing pilot project in the Illinois courts. They designated three pilot counties which included DuPage. Of the three, only DuPage implemented a pilot program. According to the Illinois Supreme Court, the filing, tracking and processing of paper court documents creates inefficiencies, redundant activities and higher costs to the courts throughout the state. E-filing provides the ability to electronically receive and process documents for filing which improves operational efficiency. (See Illinois Supreme Court website at court.state.il.us.). Also according to the Illinois Supreme Court, e-filing is better for us lawyers because it enables us to file documents electronically 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and eliminates racing the clock to the courthouse door. Additionally, e-filing eliminates delivery or processing fees. Service is effectuated instantaneously to all other parties that have filed appearances and status reports confirming acceptance and service is returned instantaneously. Sizzle, crackle, snap. . . It’s Electric!

Effective January 2, 2007 anyone in DuPage can e-file in the L (Law), AR (Arbitration), CH (Chancery), MR (Miscellaneous Remedies), and D (Dissolution of Marriage) cases. Any case is deemed e-filed when the plaintiff files a complaint electronically or if the defendant files an answer electronically. After that, both parties must stipulate that a pending case will be included in the e-filing program. Once a case is e-filed, the clerk will only accept subsequent filings electronically either through an authorized vendor or through the clerk’s system which is free. It’s time for all us DuPage civil litigators to plunk down the coin and gear-up for this innovation. Try it, you’ll like it.

If you want to learn more about e-filing, start coming to our committee meetings. Either a vendor or a DCBA appointed "e-filing guru" will begin attending most committee meetings to discuss and educate our members on the basics of e-filing. This will include what equipment you need, what software is required and what services are provided by the various vendors. If you know how to e-file and your opponent does not, you will obviously be at a strategic advantage. Knowledge is power. We are here to provide you with the knowledge.

Sshhh! Don’t tell anyone else. This is between just you and me. Have you ever seen Judge Abraham pull up your case file on his computer and show you the content of a prior Court Order or some document you filed? Haven’t you said, "Dang ….. I’d sure like to do that." Because YOU are a loyal DCBA member and read my President’s Page, here’s how you can do the same thing from the privacy of your own office or home.

Step 1 – Go to www.dupagecase.org (Circuit Clerk Kachiroubas’ restricted information system)

Step 2 – Click on the words "submit request here"

Step 3 – When the web browser certificate screen pops up, type in your name and email address. Click on "submit."

Step 4 – The system will provide you with a certificate request number. Write it down.

Step 6 – Obtain your password number with your certificate approval.

Everyone needs to be aware that no motion, brief or writing in support of or in opposition to a motion shall exceed ten (10) pages in total length without prior leave of Court. However, the ten page limitation now excludes any supporting documents.

It’s not too late to get in on the action but we are headed for a sell-out. We’ve made special arrangements at the Abbington for everyone to see the show up close and personal. SEE THE SHOW. . . SEE THE SHOW. . . SEEE THE SHOOOOOWWW!

Thanks to Judge Equi and our night court committee, pro se litigants will now be heard once per week during the late afternoon and early evening. The DCBA has pledged to provide a helping hand with a standby lawyer who will draft court orders and otherwise assist the Court. Please call Tom Else at (630) 990-2950 and volunteer for one night of Workin’ On A Night Court.