Judicial circuit to create domestic violence outreach program with new grant

The 3rd Judicial Circuit comprised of the courts in Madison and Bond counties, has received a grant from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.

The grant funds will be used to create a domestic violence services outreach program. Self-represented litigants throughout Madison County will be provided with current information, resources, and procedures to guide them through domestic violence issues. In addition, the grant will fund two part-time positions dedicated to assisting at the Order of Protection and Stalking and Civil No Contact dockets.

Self-Represented Litigants Coordinator Angela Wille will manage the grant with the Supervising Judge of the Family Division, Associate Judge Maureen Schuette.

Schuette stated, “As we continue to live in these unprecedented times due to Covid-19, it is imperative that self-represented litigants be aware of services and assistance provided.”

“Continuing to provide assistance and services to victims of domestic violence remains a top priority. This grant will allow us to continue to provide victims of domestic violence with resources at a level consistent with their needs” said Chief Judge William Mudge.

The circuit was previously awarded a grant in 2019 to create and facilitate a pilot family law mediation

program for divorce and family cases involving two self-represented litigants.