The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office is in the midst of several significant projects aimed at modernizing court processes, preserving historical records, and enhancing service to the public and law enforcement.
The office recently announced the near completion of a multi-phase scanning initiative.
The first phase involved digitizing all current court case files to improve access, reduce paper dependency, and preserve court documents for future use.
With that step nearly finished, the next focus will be on scanning archival case files stored in the courthouse vault—some of which date back decades.
“This next phase will be a major undertaking,” said Keara Weber, Hancock County Circuit Clerk. “But we are committed to ensuring the long-term preservation of these important records for future generations.”
Alongside the file scanning initiative, the office is also working to digitize all wills on file.
The effort has already improved the turnaround time for retrieving requested wills, streamlining service to attorneys and families navigating probate matters.
Another high-priority initiative currently underway is a countywide case management system cleanup.
Following a recent technology conversion, some offense codes did not carry over correctly, prompting staff to conduct a line-by-line review to ensure charges in the database accurately reflect original filings.
“Data accuracy is essential to justice,” Weber said. “This cleanup process ensures our case management system reflects the correct charges and helps maintain trust in the court system.”
As part of the cleanup, the office is also reviewing cases involving offenses covered under 720 ILCS 5-11—the Adult and Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Privacy Act.
Staff are carefully examining these records to ensure that any victim-identifying information is properly redacted before public access is granted, in compliance with Illinois privacy laws.
“We take victim privacy seriously,” said Weber. “We are being thorough in our review to ensure sensitive information is protected.”
In addition to internal projects, the office is expanding its technological capabilities through the launch of an electronic citation (e-Citation) program in partnership with Quicket, a digital ticketing platform.
The Quicket system allows law enforcement to issue citations electronically, replacing handwritten tickets and improving the legibility and accuracy of the information sent to the court.
The benefits extend well beyond citation processing. Quicket also supports IDOT crash reporting, tow documentation, and provides officers with real-time updates to offense codes.
It also integrates directly with the Circuit Clerk’s case management system, enabling law enforcement to access current court schedules and ensure they are aware of available court dates when issuing citations.
“This kind of interconnectivity improves efficiency and accuracy across the board,” Weber explained. “It’s a game-changer for both law enforcement and the clerk’s office.”
The office is also piloting a new community legal aid effort known as the Lawyer in the Library program. Funded by a grant from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, the initiative provides free, 20-minute legal consultations with local attorneys at public libraries throughout the county.
“This program gives residents access to trusted legal guidance, right in their own communities,” said Weber. “We hope it helps ease the stress of navigating the legal system, especially for those who may not otherwise have support.”
To register for the Lawyer in the Library program or view the full schedule of locations and dates, visit: https://hancockcounty-il.gov/circuit-clerk/.
These efforts reflect the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office’s commitment to responsible innovation, expanded access to justice, and the protection of both legal records and personal privacy.
Residents with questions or in need of court-related assistance are encouraged to contact the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office at (217) 357-2616 or visit the courthouse during regular business hours.