Federal Court Opens Remote Intake Kiosk in Sterling to Expand Access to Justice (Sterling, IL) – Residents in northwest Illinois who need to file documents in federal court now have a closer, more convenient option.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Tuesday launched its first remote intake kiosk at the Sterling Public Library, allowing members of the public to scan and file legal documents without traveling to Chicago or Rockford.
Chief Judge Kendall said the kiosk is designed to help people who lack reliable internet access and those who live far from federal courthouses.
“We are so pleased that we can provide greater access to justice for individuals in our district who are without internet service and reduce travel for those who are not in close proximity to our courthouses in Chicago and Rockford,” Kendall said. “The kiosk in Sterling will save litigants seeking to file legal documents over an hour commute in either direction.”
The kiosk includes a court-provided tablet and printer that allow users to scan and submit documents for new and existing cases in the Northern District of Illinois. Clerk’s Office staff are available through a live video connection to guide users through the filing process and confirm when documents have been received.
The Northern District of Illinois is the third-largest federal judicial district in the country, serving about 9.3 million people across 18 counties and nearly 10,100 square miles. It currently operates two courthouses: the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago and the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse in Rockford.
Sterling, located in Whiteside County along the Rock River, is about 112 miles from the Chicago courthouse and 54 miles from the Rockford courthouse, making travel difficult for many residents who need to file in person.
The remote intake kiosk at the Sterling Public Library is available to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Court officials said the program is part of a broader effort to make the federal court system more accessible to people across northern Illinois.
Federal Court Opens Remote Intake Kiosk in Sterling to Expand Access to Justice
