The Bureau County Circuit Court makes every effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Environmental  Barriers Act. If you need special assistance because of a disability or have questions regarding the physical accessibility of this courthouse, please contact:

Mary C. Dremann
Bureau County Circuit Clerk
(815) 872-2001 ext. 565

It is the policy of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois that:

• Communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with individuals without disabilities;

• Individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all Circuit Court activities

If you require accommodations, auxiliary aids, or other services in order to participate in Circuit Court activities, please make your request to the Court Disability Coordinator in the County in which the Court activity is in.

Requests shall be made in writing on forms provided by the Court.

Copies of the following documents are available upon request in the Chief Judge's Office, the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's offices and through the following downloadable documents:

Request for Accommodations Form

Grievance Form

Policy on Access for Persons with Disabilities

I. Introduction

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights statute for individuals with disabilities, requires all state and local governmental entities, including the courts, to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to court activities, programs and services (programs). The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois (Circuit Court) has adopted the following policy and procedures to ensure reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services to persons with disabilities who wish to participate in Circuit Court programs.

II. Policy

It is the policy of the Circuit Court to ensure that communications with and accommodations for individuals with disabilities and without disabilities are equally effective, consistent with the requirements of Title II of the ADA. Whenever necessary, the Circuit Court will provide, free of charge, the appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from any Circuit Court program. This policy applies to all members of the public who seek to participate in the Circuit Court's programs.

III. Services and Accommodations

Auxiliary aids and services include a wide range of services and devices that promote effective communication with persons with disabilities. Examples of auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities include qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, and real-time transcription services. The Circuit Court may also provide any other reasonable accommodation necessary to permit a person with impairments or disabilities to fully and equally participate in or observe Circuit Court programs.

IV. Notice that Accommodations are Available

The Court Disability Coordinator (CDC) shall provide notice that appropriate accommodations are available to ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in Circuit Court programs by posting notice containing the information on the form attached as Exhibit A in the Circuit Clerk's offices and on the Circuit Clerk's websites. A list of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Disability Coordinators for each county is attached as Exhibit D.

V. Request for Accommodations

The CDC shall provide a request form to individuals who wish to request services or accommodations for persons with disabilities. The request form, attached as Exhibit B shall be available on the Circuit Clerks' websites, in the Chief Judge's Office and in the Bureau and Grundy County Circuit Clerks' offices.

Whenever possible, a request for accommodation or services shall be made fourteen (14) days in advance of the proceeding or program. The request shall be specific as possible and include a description of the accommodation sought and the date the accommodation is needed. The request shall be mailed or e-mailed to the Court Disability Coordinator for the county wherein the request is being made. A list of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Disability Coordinators for each county is attached as Exhibit D. The CDC shall respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the requestor, within seven (7) days from the date the request was received.

The CDC will give “primary consideration” to the request of individuals with disabilities. “Primary consideration” means that the Circuit Court will honor the choice of the individual, unless it demonstrates that another equally effective accommodation is available, or that the requested accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration of Circuit Court activities or undue financial and administrative burdens.

VI. Grievance Procedure

Individuals have the right to file a grievance when they believe the Circuit Court and its employees have not complied with the provision of this policy or the request for accommodations procedure. The grievance shall be filed within seven (7) days after the person filing the complaint becomes aware of the action or inaction. A complaint shall be in writing, using the Circuit Court's grievance form, attached as Exhibit C. The grievance shall contain the name and address of the person filing the complaint, and briefly describe the alleged violation. The complaint may be mailed or e-mailed to the attention of the CDC.

Within seven (7) days after receipt of a grievance, the CDC or a designee may meet with the grievant, either in person or by telephone, to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions, if the CDC or designee determines such a meeting would be helpful to a determination. Within seven (7) days after the meeting, or within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the complaint if there is no meeting, the CDC shall respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the grievant.

If the response by the CDC does not resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the grievant, the grievant may within seven (7) days of the date of the CDC's written response, appeal the decision to the Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, c/o Court Disability Coordinator, at the mail or e-mail address provided on Exhibit D. Any appeal shall be in writing. Within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the appeal, the Chief Judge will respond in writing to the grievant with a final resolution of the grievance of complaint.

Effective: Jan. 1, 2013