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1. What is Public Service?

The Illinois State Legislature passed the Community Service Bill into law in 1979. This law created a sentencing option for Illinois Judges to impose a number of hours of free labor as a community sanction for various misdemeanor, traffic and felony crimes. Lake County's program was begun in 1979 -1980.

2. Who is sentenced to Public Service?

The Illinois Law allows for all probational offenders to have, as part of their sentence, some hours of public service.

3. What are your hours of operation?

The Public Service Office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

4. What do I need to bring to my Public Service appointment?

A parent or legal guardian, a copy of your Social Security card and the referral from the Court.

5. Can I get assigned a work site over the phone?

No, you must come into the office and go through our intake process.

6. Do I need an appointment?

No, you do not need an appointment. We take walk-ins.

7. Can I find my own work site?

Yes. Work must be completed at a non-profit agency. You will simply have to provide verification of your completed hours on that agency's letterhead.

8. If I was ordered public service through the Lake County Judicial System and currently reside in another county or state, can I do my public service there?

Yes, you can, but you must report to our office for the intake process. We will then transfer your case to the appropriate county in which you reside.

9. Can I pay a fine instead of doing my public service?

You would have to go back to court. It is the judge's decision as to whether to convert public service hours to a fine.

10. What kind of public service sites do you have?

All of our sites are not-for-profit organizations or a unit of government.

11. What kind of work is required by the work sites?

Most of our work sites require cleaning or maintenance work, but there is limited clerical work available.

12. How do my Public Service hours get reported to Court?

The Public Service office will be responsible for reporting all hours to Court.

13. When do my hours have to be completed?

We request that all Public Service hours be completed 10 days prior to your scheduled Court date. This allows time for the Court to review your case.