States Attorney

State's Attorney Office

The Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in the county, as well as the chief legal officer for the county.  In the name of the People of Illinois, the state’s attorney has the responsibility of prosecuting violations of state criminal laws and various regulations that occur within Jo Daviess County.

As chief legal officer for the county, the state’s attorney also provides legal counsel, defense of court actions involving the county, and the filing of cases brought on behalf of the county. The state’s attorney represents county office holders and the County Board in their official capacities and provides them with legal counsel upon request.

The Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney’s Office consists of the full-time state’s attorney, two full-time Assistant State’s Attorneys, a full-time Executive Secretary, a full-time Office Manager, and a full-time Victim/Witness Coordinator.

The state’s attorney is always on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist local law enforcement, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and other law enforcement agencies working within Jo Daviess County.

Other areas of the Office of State’s Attorney include:
Grand Jury investigations, criminal investigations, criminal jury trials, welfare fraud, public health, juvenile abuse, neglect, and delinquency cases, mental health cases, interstate reciprocal support, public aid cases, zoning research and planning, and tax collection.

Mission of the State's Attorney Office

The mission of the State’s Attorney Office is to serve the interests of the people of Jo Daviess County by vigorously and fairly prosecuting violations of the Illinois criminal statutes and Jo Daviess County ordinances, by being attentive to the concerns of victims and witnesses that arise from those violations, and by providing legal services to all offices of Jo Daviess County government.

While the most recognizable function of the Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney Office is to uphold the law regarding the commission of crimes within the county, the powers of the Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney Office has a broad range of duties.  The Office’s underlying mission is the “pursuit of justice."

SPEAK WITH A STATE’S ATTORNEY BY ZOOM

JDC State's Attorney Office's Zoom Link

HOURS:

  • Tuesdays 2:00 to 4:00 pm. (zoom office hours)
*Note  -  Office hours may be affected by proceeding trials or hearings.

Other Contacts

Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Phone: 815.777.2141 or 800.373.7838
EMERGENCY: 9-1-1
Fax: 815.777.9159

Clerk of the Circuit Court
Phone: 815.777.0037
Fax: 815.776.9146

Probation Department
Phone: 815.777.0356
Fax: 815.777.8690

Other Contacts

Clerk of the Circuit Court
Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is a Constitutional Office. While the Clerk is elected on a County wide basis, it is not a county office as defined by the Illinois Constitution.  It is a non-judicial office of the Judicial Branch of State government.  The duties are set forth by Statute, Rules of the Supreme Court and Local Circuit Court Rules.

The Clerk is required to attend all sessions of the Court, keep and preserve all records of the Court, issue process as required by law, and also is the Keeper of the Seal of the Court.

The Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk’s Office is proud of its modernized record-keeping systems.  Its computer system has improved the efficiency and services in the Clerk’s office.  Through the use of data processing, this office has met the challenge of an increased volume of paperwork at a minimal increase in costs.  That being said, we are now working toward creating a paperless court.  All civil pleadings must now be “E-Filed” to the Clerk’s Office and we are now accepting “E-Filed” documents in the criminal departments as well.

COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS

JOIN COURT VIA ZOOM 

Judge Kevin J. Ward’s Court Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 910 7417 4267
  • Password: 413606 
Judge John D. Hay’s Court Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 921 4970 9553
  • Passcode: 207230
Staring August 2, 2021, both CRIMINAL and CIVIL cases will be held in person.
Questions regarding Zoom hearings may be found above under “Administrative Order Regarding Remote Hearings”.

 CHECK DATE OR STATUS OF COURT CASE

https://judici.com/courts/cases/case_search.jsp?court=IL043015J 

Online Payments to the Circuit Clerk

GovPayNet2

The Supreme Court announced the e-filing of civil cases is mandatory in Illinois Courts effective January 1, 2018. 
This mandate includes attorneys and self-represented litigants.

For the website click on the state of Illinois.

eFileIL-Logo-HORZ

Location and Office Hours

Courthouse - Second Floor
330 North Bench Street
Room 204
Galena, IL 61036
(map)

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm
(closed holidays)

Phone: 815.777.0037
Traffic Clerk: 815.777.2295
Fax: 815.776.9146
Email: kphillips@jodaviesscountyil.gov

Staff Contacts

Kathy Phillips
Circuit Clerk

Kim Einck
Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk

Jean Wand
Deputy Circuit Clerk

Jamie Whitmer
Deputy Circuit Clerk

Lynn Houy
Deputy Circuit Clerk

Alisha Conrad
Deputy Circuit Clerk

Jury Orientation Video

JuryVideo

Click on the image above to go directly to the video.





Probation Department
County Probation Department

Operating under the Office of the Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit, the Jo Daviess County Probation Department is responsible for providing a variety of services to adult and juvenile offenders, under the jurisdiction of the Court.  Through these services, the Probation Department, using evidence-based practices, works with the offender to identify the criminogenic needs to reduce the risk of re-offending and become more pro-socially oriented.  The Probation Department provides the Court with pertinent information throughout the criminal justice process, strives to reduce recidivism and enhances public safety.

Additionally, the Jo Daviess Probation Department operates programs of public service work-hour monitoring, pretrial services, drug and alcohol testing, work release and administrative sanctions.

Location and Office Hours

Courthouse - First Floor
330 North Bench Street
Room 109
Galena, IL 61036
(map)

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm
(closed holidays)

Phone: 815.777.0356
Fax: 815.777.8690

Staff Contacts

Jamie L. Watson
Director

Sharon M. Gillip
Probation Officer

Justin J. Bauer
Probation Officer

Carter J. Wild
Probation Officer

Angela M. Ziegler
Probation Officer

Linda M. Kern
Administrative Assistant