MARION COUNTY — Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office warned earlier this month that Illinois would run out of money to pay court reporters at the end of March but that the governor is looking for a “responsible solution to the problem.”

However, as recently as Monday, civil cases being heard in Marion County did not have court reporters available.
The absence of the court reporters in Marion County was blamed on the state legislature’s failure to pass an adequate budget last year.

Without court reporters available to take down what is said during court proceedings leaves parties in court cases without an available transcript of what was said and would hinder appellate efforts if either party would choose to challenge a ruling.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said earlier this month that the court reporter program is $14.3 million short for the budget year that ends June 30.

The office Court Reporting Services for Illinois told employees earlier this month that there is optimism that the problem will be solved.