About Hancock County Circuit Clerk

Hancock County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which includes Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties. The Circuit Court serves the citizens of Hancock County through proceedings held at the Hancock County Courthouse, 500 Main Street, Carthage, Illinois. Court is conducted Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays, with office hours generally from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Keara Weber, Hancock County Circuit Clerk

Meet Keara Weber

The Circuit Clerk is a constitutional officer elected by the citizens of Hancock County for a four-year term. Keara Weber was appointed Circuit Clerk in May 2022 and subsequently elected to serve the residents of Hancock County. Having joined the office in 2020, she brought with her a strong background in healthcare revenue integrity and has since led the office through significant modernization efforts. She is also a Certified Court Manager (CCM) through the National Center for State Courts.

Contact Keara

Circuit Clerk Duties

The Office of the Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining the official record of all traffic, civil, family, and criminal cases filed and heard in Hancock County. The Circuit Clerk is a non-judicial office within the Judicial Branch of state government. Duties are established by Illinois Statutes, Supreme Court Rules, and Administrative Orders of the Court. The Clerk is required to attend court, preserve all records, maintain the integrity of court files, and serve as the keeper of the court seal.

Despite being a smaller, rural county, the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office plays a vital role in ensuring access to justice while balancing limited resources and staffing. The office currently operates with a dedicated team of deputy clerks who support court operations across multiple courtrooms and dockets.

Hancock County Courthouse in the spring

Office Accomplishments and Innovations

Since 2022, the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office has focused on modernization, efficiency, and improving access to justice:

  • Modern case management system

    Successfully implemented and upgraded to improve efficiency and accuracy

  • Expanded E-Filing Access

    Ensuring compliance with statewide standards and improving accessibility for attorneys and self-represented litigants

  • Introduced Electronic Citation (E-Citation)

    Initiatives to streamline law enforcement and court processes

  • Implemented public access tools

    Including online resources and payment options for fines and fees

  • Court reminder and communication strategy

    Launched to improve court appearance rates and reduce failures to appear

  • Digitization and back-file scanning projects

    Began working toward reducing paper records and improving long-term storage efficiency

  • Access to Justice Initiatives

    Partnership to bring programs such as "Lawyer in the Library" to Hancock County residents

  • Language access technology

    Introduced Pocketalk devices to better serve non-English-speaking court users

  • Implemented public access tools

    Including online resources and payment options for fines and fees

  • Court check-in kiosk system

    Implemented to improve customer flow and courtroom efficiency

  • Collaboration

    Continued with judges, law enforcement, attorneys, and county leadership to enhance court services and operations

  • Circuit Clerk Website

    Created a centralized, user-friendly resource for court information, daily dockets, Zoom links, payments, forms, legal resources, office updates, and other court services.

Our Commitment

The Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office employs four (4) Deputy Clerks who are responsible for recording filed documents, attending court proceedings, maintaining accurate records of all cases, and collecting and disbursing fines and fees.

Approximately 1,600 new cases are filed each year in Hancock County. Despite being a smaller, rural jurisdiction, the office maintains a high standard of accuracy and efficiency in managing all case types. The Circuit Clerk maintains an electronic record of all cases, ensuring accessibility, preservation, and compliance with statewide court standards.

The Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Office is committed to:

  • Providing efficient, accurate, and transparent court services

  • Supporting the judiciary and legal community

  • Improving access to justice for all citizens, including self-represented litigants

  • Embracing technology and innovation while maintaining the integrity of the court record

  • Serving the public with professionalism, respect, and accountability