Probate court close to going on the road

It is official - there is not enough room in the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan for all the courts.

Chief Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti said last week that plans are being finalized to place the probate and arbitration call of Circuit Judge Diane Winter on a traveling schedule.

Rossetti said Winter will soon be hearing cases in the 10th floor conference room on the administration side of the building a few days each week.

On Wednesdays, when trials are held, Winter will be located in the open courtroom in the Park City branch court building, Rossetti said.

All this is necessary because the current supply of courtrooms has been overwhelmed by the current supply of judges, which will increase by one in December when the new circuit judge position is filled.

There have been discussions between court and county officials about a wide range of solutions to the shortage of court space, including the construction of a new building.

But Rossetti said she is a realist about progress on the issue.

"We are looking right now at short-term solutions because this is not the right time to be proposing a massive undertaking like a new building," she said. "Hopefully, a long-term solution will be developed out of the short-term answers we come up with."

Volunteers neededCourt Appointed Special Advocates of Lake County is in need of volunteers willing to become positive influences in the lives of troubled children.The group's volunteers are assigned by judges to work with youths going through the juvenile court system and assist judges in making proper choices for the children.Training provided volunteers includes background on the juvenile court system and collaborating with social service agencies in meeting needs.For information about becoming a CASA volunteer, call (847) 808-9154 or visit their website at casalakecounty.com.Wysocki re-electedGreen Oaks Mayor and Lake County attorney Bernard Wysocki has been re-elected to the board of governors of the Illinois State Bar Association.The 25-member board directs the operations and activities of the statewide organization for lawyers.