(MT. VERNON, IL) — Court reporters in the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which includes Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties, have been ordered by Chief Judge Tom Tedeschi to begin taking furlough days effective immediately. This is being done in response to a recent report that a budget shortfall exists in which the funding for court reporting services will result in no funds remaining in the budget effective late next month. Tedeschi says he remains hopeful that the issue will get resolved soon in Springfield. He noted that the courts are required to have an official record made in several types of cases and without reporters to prepare an official record, the impact upon our system of justice in Illinois will be drastic. Tedeschi is encouraging our leaders in Springfield to resolve this crisis quickly. He says if nothing gets done, the results will be catastrophic to the courts and the public. He believes that our leaders in Springfield will correct this matter and that it is his hope that it is sooner rather than later.