Kane Co. attorney asks for $160,000 for more lawyers

Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti said Tuesday that he will need about $160,000 to staff a new criminal courtroom slated to open at the courthouse in St. Charles.

The funding, which has yet to be approved by the county, would cover salaries and benefits for two new prosecutors and a support staff member. Barsanti said the positions are needed to accommodate a new criminal courtroom at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, which will result from the arrival of three or four new judges in December.

"It's not like we're closing another room," he said. "We don't have anybody to put in there."

Last month, the county board approved up to $850,000 in renovations to Geneva's Third Street courthouse in anticipation of the new judges. And next month, officials are expected to sign off on up to $4.8 million in renovations to the circuit clerk's office at 540 Randall Road in St. Charles.

Once renovations are complete, Barsanti said, the county's abuse and neglect unit courtroom will move from St. Charles to Third Street. Divorce court will replace the abuse and neglect unit in St. Charles, and traffic and misdemeanor court will move to the Randall Road property.

As a result of the shuffle, the Judicial Center will be left with an additional criminal courtroom.

Barsanti said he is asking to hire two prosecutors and a support staff member for the new room, which is likely to require additional security officers and public defenders, as well.

"There's all kinds of associated costs with this," he said.