Courthouse cuts could delay justice for thousands of people.
The governor wants judges across Illinois to make up $17 million by cutting court reporters. Without them, judges and defendants can't have transcripts for their cases, and they can't appeal a judge's decision.
Chief Judge David Hylla will have to operate with only 25% of his budget until the end of the year.
"It's inevitable there will be more delays," he said.
He will have to cut $400,000 and has furloughed all 16 of his court reporters. They'll now only work two days a week between three courthouses, two in Edwardsville, and the Bond County Courthouse.
Judge Hylla said the indigent population and people who represent themselves in court will be hurt the most.
"Less access to justice, delay of their cases," he said.
He said people may have to hire their own court reporters but he said, many can't afford them. Family cases like juvenile, divorces and child custody could be delayed even more.
"It's going to have a devastating effect on those families. Delaying justice is going to have significant impact on their lives when children are involved. Families are trying to sort out their lives, decisions about where children will have to go school and where they are going to live and they have to wait months on end to get into court," he said.
Judge Hylla said felons could get out of jail if they don't get a trial in 120 days or people sitting in jail on minor offenses could stay in jail if there aren't enough court reporters for their trials and hearings.
"They're an integral cog in the wheel, the wheels of justice are going to grind to a halt or slow down," he said.
He believes justice delayed is justice denied.
