Carbondale Reporter

The Chief Judges of Illinois have announced a new initiative to address the shortage of licensed court reporters in the state. They have approved a tuition-free training program that requires participants to commit to a two-year employment contract with Court Reporting Services of Illinois.

Court reporters play a crucial role in the judicial system by providing verbatim records of criminal cases, ensuring equal access to justice for all citizens. Currently, there are over 100 vacancies for court reporters across Illinois.

Official court reporters in Illinois earn between $53,000 and $58,000 annually, with potential for higher earnings based on certifications and location, such as Cook County. In addition to their salary, they receive state benefits and may see increases based on cost-of-living adjustments and proficiency testing. Reporters can also earn additional income from preparing transcripts for appeals and requests from attorneys, though this income varies yearly.

The training program will begin its next classes in September in Urbana. It involves two years of on-site training. A mandatory information and evaluation workshop will be held in Springfield on April 12 and Wheaton on May 9, after which final selections will be made.

Interested individuals can apply or find more information at https://www.ilcrs.com/training or contact via email at Training@ilcrs.com or Dustie@ilcrs.com.