Annual Report 2025 OPERATIONS

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER Michael O'Connor, Arbitration Administrator Mandatory Arbitration was instituted as a pilot program in Winnebago County in the fall of 1987 making it the oldest court-annexed arbitration program in the state. The Boone County program began in February 1995. All civil actions that are filed seeking money damages in excess of $10,000.00, but not greater than $50,000.00, are automatically assigned to non-binding mandatory arbitration. Additionally, all small claims cases with a timely filed jury demand are transferred into the arbitration program. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules, these arbitration cases involve less formal discovery procedures and a hearing before a panel of three trained attorney arbitrators. If any party is not satisfied with the award made by the arbitrators after the hearing they have a right to reject the award and proceed to trial before a judge.

Mandatory Arbitration was instituted as a pilot program in Winnebago County in the fall of 1987 making it the oldest court-annexed arbitration program in the state. The Boone County program began in February 1995. All civil actions that are filed seeking money damages in excess of $10,000.00, but not greater than $50,000.00, are automatically assigned to non-binding mandatory arbitration. Additionally, all small claims cases with a timely filed jury demand are transferred into the arbitration program. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules, these arbitration cases involve less formal discovery procedures and a hearing before a panel of three trained attorney arbitrators. If any party is not satisfied with the award made by the arbitrators after the hearing they have a right to reject the award and proceed to trial before a judge.

The day-to-day management of the program is the responsibility of the Arbitration Administrator with the assistance of one part-time secretary. The Arbitration Administrator is responsible for tracking the progress and maintaining statistics on all arbitration cases filed in Winnebago and Boone Counties, as well as maintaining a list of approved attorney-arbitrators, and for securing the service of these arbitrators for hearings. In addition to the arbitration program, the Administrator also tracks all major law division cases that have been court-referred to mediation and makes parties aware that the ADR Center is available for holding their mediations. The Alternative Dispute Center is located in Stewart Square in Rockford, approximately one-half block east of the Winnebago County Courthouse.

17th circuit. illinoiscourts.gov