1. (a) In judicial circuits which include a county with a population of over 2,000,000 inhabitants, a dispute resolution fund shall be established.

2. (b) In any other judicial circuit a dispute resolution fund shall be established upon a finding by the Chief Judge of the circuit that:

   1. (1) a dispute resolution center would significantly enhance the administration of justice in that circuit; and
   2. (2) a dispute resolution center exists or should be created in the judicial circuit.

3. (c) In each judicial circuit in which a dispute resolution fund is established, the clerks of the circuit court shall charge and collect a dispute resolution fund fee of $2, such fee to be paid by the party initiating the action at the time of filing the first pleading in all civil cases. Such fees shall not be charged in any proceeding commenced by or on behalf of a unit of local government.

   Such fees shall be in addition to all other fees and charges of such clerks, shall be assessable as costs, and shall be remitted by such clerks monthly to the county treasurers, and shall be disbursed monthly by the county treasurer to the dispute resolution fund established under this Section. Each such clerk shall commence such charges and collections upon receipt of written notice from the Chief Judge of the judicial circuit that a dispute resolution fund has been established.

4. (d) Each dispute resolution fund established under this Section shall be administered by the Chief Judge of the judicial circuit in which the fund is established.

(from Ch. 37, par. 853)

(Source: P.A. 102-130, eff. 1-1-22.)