IL SB0583

Adds the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County to the Local Records Act, requiring financial records and audit reports to be maintained as public records available for inspection during regular office hours.

Clarifies that the clerk of the circuit court shall (changed from "may") accept credit card payments over the Internet for fines, penalties, and court costs from offenders submitting voluntary electronic pleas of guilty in minor traffic and conservation offenses.

Authorizes the circuit court clerk to enter into contracts with credit card companies and third-party payment service providers to process payments, with authority to collect service fees up to $5 or the amount charged by the payment processor.

Removes authority for the clerk to accept cash deposits of bail bonds by credit or debit card, limiting card payments to fines, penalties, court costs, and statutory fees.

Defines "certified check" as having the meaning provided in Section 3-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code.