Court-Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2004

Twentieth Judicial Circuit

The Twentieth Judicial Circuit is comprised of five counties: St. Clair, Perry, Monroe, Randolph and Washington. This circuit is located in downstate Illinois and is considered a part of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Circuit population is 355,836 according to the 2000 federal census.

The Supreme Court approved the request of St. Clair County to begin an arbitration program on May 11, 1993. The first hearings were held in February 1994. This circuit is the first and only circuit in the downstate area to have an arbitration program.

The arbitration center is located across the street from the St. Clair County Courthouse. Judge Annette A. Eckert is the supervising judge. She is assisted by an arbitration administrator and an administrative assistant, who oversee the program's operations.