SB3850 Summary

• Amends the Freedom of Information Act to include the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County as a "public body," making all records relating to the obligation, receipt, and use of public funds subject to public inspection and copying.

• Makes records kept by clerks of circuit courts subject to the Freedom of Information Act by amending the Clerks of Courts Act.

• Prohibits specified unpaid assessments under the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (Schedules 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13) from being included in agreements between the clerk of the circuit court and the Department of Revenue for tax refund intercept collection programs.

• Changes the requirement for court clerks from "may" to "shall" accept credit card payments over the Internet for fines, penalties, court costs, and costs from offenders on voluntary electronic pleas of guilty in minor traffic and conservation offenses.

• Increases the value of public or community service credit from $4 to $10 per hour when converting criminal and traffic assessments into court-approved community service.