Juror lunches take bite out of court budget in Kane County

By Matt Brennan

The budget increase asked for an additional $33,000 for juror expenses, which included meals, return postage for the questionnaire, and additional costs for jury management software.

The extra funding is needed because the courts are having more jury trials, Brown said.

Members of the committee initially targeted the juror meals as a way to cut back on the budget. But they agreed that the amount spent per meal is not excessive.

“I was going to ask about how to save some money there, but $6 already seems pretty cheap,” said county board member T.R Smith, R-Hampshire.

The total resolution asked for $192,000 in supplementary funding from the county’s general fund. In addition to juror expenses, the additional funding is for services such as interpreters for Spanish and exotic languages, medical testing, and providing court-appointed counsel for criminal defendants when there is a conflict with the public defender’s office.

The court system will see additional funding through an increase in court fees for criminal and civil cases that recently was approved. Part of the increase goes into effect in October, and part goes into effect in December 2012

Click on the following for more details:  http://couriernews.suntimes.com/7832799-417/juror-lunches-take-bite-out-of-court-budget.html

Atheist in court again over Zion's seal

ZION, Ill. (AP) — An atheist is going to court again over Zion's old seal, claiming officials are in contempt of court for using it after it was banned 20 years ago.

Zion's was forced to redesign its seal after a federal court determined the phrase "God Reigns" represented an unconstitutional endorsement of a specific religion.

The city changed it to "In God We Trust," and used stickers to conceal old city seals on street signs.

Rob Sherman, who sued over the seal in 1987, says it was used in a newspaper ad inviting Zion residents to the city's Community Network Forum.

Sherman says he wants Zion Commissioner Shantal Taylor, whose picture appeared in the ad, and others held in contempt of court.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel is to hear Sherman's petition Wednesday.

Belvidere Chrysler Dealer Interested in Fiat Franchise

"Any time we have an opportunity for additional business we're always happy about that." Jack Wolf Chrysler in Belvidere is one of thousands of dealers across the country vying for the franchise. Chrysler announced last month it wanted to bring Fiat back to the U.S. The automaker only plans to award the franchise to 165 dealers nationwide.

Clark says, "We have the Chrysler plant here and everyone supports the plant and being associated with that, I think it will be a good addition."

The opportunity to sell more cars also comes at a cost. Dealers will have to build separate showrooms and have separate sales and service staffs for the cars. A price tag that could reach several million dollars for dealerships like Wolf's. He says, "It's definitely a concern especially since our business still isn't what it was. It's a lot of out-of-pocket expense with little return initially."

Chrysler is expected to notify the winning dealers in the next few months.

Click on the following for more details: http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/103756209.html