E-filing, or the ability to initiate cases and file documents over the internet continues to be a very successful initiative that Chris Kachiroubas began in 2004 and is expanding to mandatory e-Filing in January 2016. Working closely with the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, Chris and his staff are ready to take the steps to move all civil case filings to be electronic. 

The Court provides e-Filing services utilizing i2File.net.   This service allows litigants including pro se parties (parties acting as their own attorney) to file electronically. Users may request copies or certified documents from i2File as well.

Working closely with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and 18th Judicial Circuit Court, Chris helped to implement one of the first electronic search warrant systems in the United States. In the past officers would have to physically drive to the Judge to have them sign a search warrant, many times resulting in hours of delay. This system allows officers to be remotely connected to Judges via video conference to greatly reduce the time it takes to have a search warrant issued. Search warrants are drafted electronically, allowing State's Attorneys, Officers and the Judge to all review the document at the same time. Based on the leadership of Chris and his staff, this system is being made available to Courts throughout Illinois.

Chris Kachiroubas considers officer safety, public safety, and the electronic transmission of information directly to court records a high priority for his office. The Circuit Court Clerk has initiated a project to provide police agencies in DuPage County with in‐car software that delivers ticket information electronically to the Court without requiring manual data entry. This software allows officers to write tickets more efficiently to get violators and officers back on the road quickly and safely.  A large portion of DuPage County agencies participate in this program, allowing citation data to flow efficiently from police agencies to the Court completely electronic.

For a traffic case that does not require a court appearance, a defendant can enter a plea of guilty and pay fines and costs and, where appropriate, obtain court supervision, through the circuit court clerk's secure payment web site epay.18thJudicial.org . When a case is filed by a law enforcement agency a defendant may view their case on this site by using information on the defendant's ticket such as the ticket number, name and date of birth or driver's license number. The ability to do this improves efficiency, saves staff time, and offers a convenience to the defendant. Currently, DuPage County is the only court in the State of Illinois that can accept pleas of guilty or request supervision without the need for a court appearance.

Persons who have not had a previous continuance of a traffic court date, can obtain their first continuance via telephone at 630‐407‐8600. Such request must be made no later than four (4) business days prior to the court date.

The Circuit Court Clerk's office has increased the efficiency of creating orders by providing an electronic order process. Electronic orders can be drafted either in Court, or ahead of time from the convenience of the drafter's home or office. Electronically created orders are made available to Judge's in an application that helps them conduct their court call efficiently and sign orders after review. Chris sees electronically generated documents as the next evolution beyond e-Filing. These electronic documents reduce the manual workload on Circuit Clerk staff and promote a fully automated workflow.  Documents are automatically classified and filed into the Circuit Clerk Court system, including an electronically file stamped image of each document.  Electronic orders are immediately available on the Court record after the Judge signs the order.

Signatures are an important part of the Court system. Using modern technology to file and transmit documents requires a secure electronic signature that has the same or better authenticity as a handwritten signature. Chris Kachiroubas has received approval from the Supreme Court to use electronic signatures, being the only IL Court that has approval for this process. Chris has implemented processes to ensure every document and signature are correct and can be audited to confirm validity.  Electronic signatures are a fundamental element of electronic document creation, from citations to Court orders.

Chris Kachiroubas has worked to create a user‐friendly on‐line system for Orders of Protection. Through the internet, a petitioner simply goes to www.illinoisprotectionorder.org follows the directions, reads the "help" information and electronically fills out the form. Because the internet is used, the petitioner can do this from any computer at home, in local township offices where staff is able to assist, and at the Judicial Office Facility at the Circuit Clerk's Office or Family Shelter office. Once the petition is completed, the petitioner must go to the Circuit Clerk's office at 505 N county Farm Rd., and electronically sign the petition. The petition is then filed, a case number is assigned, and it is immediately available in electronic form for the Judge to review. The Judge and law enforcement are then able to electronically proceed to issue, serve and enforce the Order of Protection.

Chris Kachiroubas has instituted a process for collecting unpaid fines, costs, fees and penalties which have been assessed by the Court. Collecting unpaid amounts enforces the courts' orders and reduces the need for tax dollars to support the Judicial System. The Circuit Court Clerk has committed staff to this initiative and works with private collection agencies to enforce collections. Through this process, Chris Kachiroubas has collected in excess of $23,000.00 dollars during his administration of office as Clerk of the Court which have been distributed to the Court and local municipalities.

Providing for payments of restitution to victims of crime is a high priority in the Circuit Clerk's office. Chris Kachiroubas has established one of the best electronic restitution processes in the State. For cases in which a court order has identified and defined restitution conditions, all incoming payments are to be automatically paid directly to the victim. This electronic process makes the victim priority one.

Immediately upon entering the Judicial Office Facility, the public is able to view messages that will answer most frequently asked questions. Large electronic wall monitors at the entrance to the Clerk's Office and located on the second through fourth floor of the Judicial facility display courtroom schedules. There is a master bank of monitors located prominently south of each escalator landing that scroll through the names and cases of the courtrooms for that floor. Additionally, individual courtroom monitors display the court call for an individual room. This makes it easier for the public and members of the legal community to locate their courtroom and hearing time.

The ability of the Court to appropriately sentence a defendant in a traffic case has always been extremely important. By providing prosecutors with a defendant's complete driving history electronically on the day of court, Chris Kachiroubas contributes to a Judge's ability to sentence defendants in a fair meaningful manner. The Illinois Circuit Clerk Information Center (ICCIC) gathers information daily from each Illinois Circuit Clerk and the Secretary of State's Office. Participating Circuit Court Clerk's receive this shared information which allows it to be accessible in the courtroom.

Lead by the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, the Illinois Supreme Court has instituted a program for the electronic filing of appeals in civil and criminal cases. The DuPage County Circuit Clerk's Office and the Second Appellate District initiated this project. Based on e-Appeals success in DuPage County, it has now been implemented in Courts throughout Illinois.  Electronic appeal filing will eliminate the need for the transmittal of reams of paper between the Circuit Court and Appeals Courts. Electronic filing of appeals also vastly speeds up the appellate process by  providing appeal records more quickly and securely while also reducing paper usage by the Courts.

The DuPage County Circuit Clerk's Office has been a pioneer utilizing electronic bench warrants.  Warrants are prepared, signed and delivered for service electronically. Prosecutors, Judges, Clerks and the Policing Agencies throughout the state are all participating in this project which makes the warrant process more efficient and costs effective.  Bench warrants can go from the Judge to statewide systems electronically and in the fastest manner possible.