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Circuit Clerk
Please note: The office of the Circuit Clerk cannot give legal advice.
The Circuit Clerk is elected on a Whiteside County-wide basis by the citizens for a four-year term as a non-judicial office of the Judicial Branch of Illinois State Government.
The duties of the Circuit Clerk are set forth by Statute, Rules of the Supreme Court, and Administrative orders of the local Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining a record of all traffic, civil, and criminal cases filed and heard in Whiteside County.
On a daily basis, the office interacts with the public and Attorneys performing several functions including the collection and disbursement of fines and fees.
If you are paying for a May Appear (no court appearance required) traffic citation:
- You can plead guilty and Pay Online.
- You can pay in person with a signed guilty plea.
- You can mail a money order or certified check with a signed guilty plea to the Circuit Clerk’s office.
Personal checks are not accepted and do not send cash in the mail.
Payments on court payable matters (cases that have been to court and have fines, fees, and costs already assessed) can be paid by cash, money order, or certified check. They can also be paid by credit card at the Morrison office or Online.
The office is also responsible for recording filed documents and maintaining a record of all Court proceedings.
- Whiteside County Court Filing Fees (PDF)
- Courts Local Rules 2017 (PDF)
- Whiteside County Courts Zoom Information
The Clerk and/or the Deputy Clerks are required to attend sessions of the Court and keep and preserve all records and files of the Court.
The Circuit Clerks' office handles every type of case from a traffic ticket to a felony case, from Small Claims to a large personal injury suit, and from adoption cases to probate of an estate case.
There are currently two Circuit Judges and one Associate Judge that preside over cases.
- Court is held at the Whiteside County Courthouse.
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL
Morrison Main Number, 815-772-5188 - Satellite Office at the Eastern Branch Facility
101 East Third Street
Sterling, IL
Sterling main number, 815-535-4530
Divisions
- General Division-Morrison
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL. 61270
815-772-5164 - General Division-Sterling
101 East Third Street
Sterling, IL. 61081815-535-4530
Probate Division
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL. 61270
815-772-5168Child Support
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL. 61270
815-772-5163Small Claims-Morrison Division
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL. 61270
815-772-5164Small Claims-Sterling Division
101 East Third Street
Sterling, IL. 61270
815-535-4534Traffic - Morrison Division
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL. 61270
815-772-5165 or 815-772-5188Traffic-Sterling Division
101 East Third Street
Sterling, IL. 61081
815-535-4531
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Sue R Costello
Circuit Clerk
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Circuit Clerk Department
Physical Address
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL 61270
Phone: 815-772-5188Fax: 815-772-5187
Sterling
101 East Third Street
Sterling, IL
Phone: 815-535-4530
Fax: 815-535-4548