BELLEVILLE– Yesterday, probation officers, Supervisors and support staff of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court Services and Probation voted unanimously to file an intent to strike after working without a contract since December of 2016.  The officers and the staff that support them made the decision due to the St. Clair County Board’s defunding of their vital services, continued withholding of information at the bargaining table, and the Chief Judge’s refusal to allow a third-party arbitrator to settle the contract. The underfunding and understaffing of the probation department has led to officers supervising caseloads that are 2-3 times the size recommended by the Illinois Supreme Court.  Illinois Federation of Public Employees (Local 4408) RC-20th judicial, represents probation officers, supervisors and support staff in the following counties: St. Clair, Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Washington.