Illinois Court Reporters Association

[05/15/19]   Past President Jill Layton is looking for volunteers to report Veterans' interviews for the Veterans' History Project in Springfield on Friday, July 12th at the American Legion Convention. Please let her know if you are interested either through Facebook or at Jill.LaytonCSR @ gmail .com. Thank you!

[05/15/19]   Our neighbors in St. Louis have an official job opening: Position open for an Official in St. Louis City, 22nd Judicial Circuit, for The Honorable Calea Stovall-Reid. Position needs to be filled in mid-late July. Busy circuit reporting criminal & civil cases.
Qualifications: Real-time capable & Missouri CCR. If you don’t have the CCR, it has to be obtained within a year.
Please message Jennifer Dunn for salary & questions. Email resumes to jdunncourts @ yahoo.com.

Local court reporter lobbies lawmakers for reauthorization of training grants

Region 2 Representative Kim Cottrell attends NCRA's Boot Camp! https://www.whig.com/20190513/local-court-reporter-lobbies-lawmakers-for-reauthorization-of-training-grants

whig.com A certified shorthand reporter with the Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit was in Washington last week advocating for the profession at the National Court Reporter Association's 2019 Leadership and Legislative Boot Camp.

10 reasons I love my career as a court reporter

thejcr.com The intention of this article is not to convince you to become a court reporter or that court reporting is a great career. My intention is just to share with you some points about what has made court reporting a great profession for me. Here are the top 10 things I love about being a court reporter:

Sunrise Rotary learns about Veterans History Project

Past President Jill Layton is featured in this article about the Veterans History Project.

https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/community/sunrise-rotary-learns-about-veterans-history-project/article_f43580b5-c80e-5593-aa57-49f57103e705.html

effinghamdailynews.com Jill Layton is the official court reporter in Cumberland County and is a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her father, brother, son and other family members are military

8th graders learn, network at Career Conference at Lake Land

Know of a career day coming up? Follow in Courtney's steps and share with students all of the opportunities a career as a stenographer can provide!

"Courtney Goodner, an official court reporter with the Illinois Court Reporters Association, said the career conference provides a good opportunity to promote this profession to students.

Goodner said court reporters can work in courtrooms, travel as freelancers to take depositions, provide Communication Access Real-time Translation services to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or work with closed captioning for television programs.

"You can really get a job anywhere while doing this work," Goodner said."

jg-tc.com MATTOON — Eighth graders are young, but they likely have already developed positive character traits and talents that they could promote in coming years when they apply for their first

**Please see Nancy Varallo's clarification in the comments!**
On March 23rd, Doreen Nimmo Sutton presented at ILCRA's Marathon seminar regarding Project Steno. Project Steno is working with Stenograph to supply new and promising court reporting students with brand new Mira machines at no cost to them.
In conjunction with Stenograph and Project Steno, state associations are being given the opportunity to get involved by sponsoring a machine for a student.
In half a day and with less than 100 present, Marathon attendees (and those who phoned a friend!) raised $1400 altogether! We are now just $600 away from becoming the second state in the country to partake in this wonderful effort to get court reporting students enrolled and graduated!
If you were an attendee and/or donator, thank you, you rock stars, and please comment and share!
If you haven't donated yet, please visit https://projectsteno.org/donate-online/ and give, even $5. There is no donation amount too small!
Remember, it is grassroots efforts exactly like this that will help guard the future of our profession. Thanks in advance!

Big thanks to Region 1 Representative Mary Ann Casale for developing this fabulous and educational graphic!

Thank you to all the attendees who brought WINE for the ILCRA fundraiser last Saturday! And thank you to Melanie Sonntag for facilitating it!

HUGE SHOUT-OUT to this wonderfully accomplished and impressive group of professionals, who took the time to discuss with Marathon attendees how having a CART provider has impacted their lives. Thank you LeAnn for organizing and to Cathy for providing the captions!

[03/25/19]   We're collecting examples of DR/ER fails for Illinois. If you learn of any confirmed incidents of DR fails in Illinois, please send the information to ILCRA board member Kim Cottrell (her email is listed on ilcra.org).

Kathy Dittmeier is such a great example of grassroots efforts! She has started www.bestcareeryouneverheardof.com, a website that outlines careers and training, and offers testimonials and links about the court reporting profession.
Please share!!!

Cubs used auto-generated captions for their YouTube channel. A deaf fan's concern is prompting them to change that.

Thank you for listening to your Deaf consumers, Cubbies! #ChicagoCubs #EverybodyIn

chicagotribune.com After a deaf fan complained about captions on its YouTube videos, the Cubs are fixing the captions on the videos on its new YouTube channel.

Bring your favorite wine to Marathon! Melanie Sonntag is collecting pledges to donate bottles of wine at the Marathon seminar on March 23 as a fundraiser for ILCRA, and you can buy a ticket and win a bottle of wine! If you're not registered yet for the seminars, please do so at ilcra.org today! See you on March 23!

Choosing a Court Reporter—The Advanced Course

miglioreassociates.com Stenographic court reporters are the most technologically advanced individuals in courtrooms and deposition suites across the country.

You Cannot Afford a Take 2

miglioreassociates.com Digital recorders can’t play the part of a stenographic reporter. The many failures of digital recording systems in our nation’s courtrooms are getting...

2/14 - One Minute

Illinois Representative Rodney Davis speaks about Court Reporting and Captioning Week in Congress.

c-span.org 2/14 - One Minute

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2128

BREAKING NEWS: ILCRA has just been made aware that a bill has been submitted to the Illinois Senate to allow voice writing as a certifiable method of court reporting. We will post updates as we have them.
The full bill is here:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2128&GAID=15&GA=101&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=120299&SessionID=108

ilga.gov Legislation listing for the Illinois General Assembly

National Court Reporters Association

2019 Court Reporting & Captioning Week was recognized on Capitol Hill yesterday. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis from Illinois delivered a speech from the floor of the House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. John Shimkus from Illinois recognized the week in a written speech submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives’ official record.
http://ow.ly/CtDc50ltO0s

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Captioning Compared to Human Stenographic Captioning

For anyone who thinks a computer on its own can do what we do...

youtube.com For Court Reporting and Captioning Week 2019, I am sharing a video that compares automatic speech recognition to a human stenographic captioner. This is just...

Debbie Weaver, President of Alaris Litigation Services, hosts a Court Reporting And Captioning Week happy hour. President-Elect Georgia Beth Long was in attendance.
Debbie gave a speech thanking all of us and everything we do. Thank you, Debbie!

Protect Your Clients: “Digital” Recorded Depositions Unmasked

blog.sfbar.org   Recently, some agencies offering court reporting services have sent an unlicensed individual to depositions (“digital reporter”) in lieu of a highly trained, Certified Shorthand Reporter (CS…

Steve Clark

We're working on an Illinois-specific version of this for you. Until we get it finalized, feel free to share this information from CalDRA.

IsaiahRoberts

Career Opportunities | Career Opportunities

Our Minnesota colleagues requested we pass this job opening along: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mncourts/jobs/2328278/official-electronic-or-stenographic-court-reporter-cass-county?keywords=Official%20Court%20Reporter&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&fbclid=IwAR0GRc0AbIQsh-1JPxTO5Mhn4KR7UhTMxniVC8UF8qovek-njj6iW9uHY8Q

governmentjobs.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE MINNESOTA JUDICIAL BRANCH.  To apply, please click on the job title(s) below.   To receive email notifications as career opportunities become available, click here.

Court Reporting Services | Careers

illinoisofficialcourtreporters.com Looking for employment as a court reporters in the Illinois Courts? Find out more here.

In Memorial - Shalom Memorial Park and Shalom Funeral Home : Funeral Service & Shiva Information

Seymour Wolfe, age 88, beloved husband of Muriel, happily married for 65 years; loving father of Melinda (Kenneth Inadomi) Wolfe and Lise (Kenneth) Wolfe-Adams; cherished grandfather of Tyler, Rachel, Paul and Molly; adored twin brother of the late Jack (Lenore) Wolfe; treasured uncle of many nephews and great nieces and nephews. Chapel service Tuesday, January 22, 10:00 AM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment at Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. https://www.shalom2.com/in-memorial/2019/111%20Ramah/Seymour_Wolfe/

shalom2.com In Memorial Search By Name First Name:Last Name:Upcoming ServicesMonday, January 21stDonald CaplanService is Monday, January 21st at 11:00 am View DetailsDonald SostockService is Monday, January 21st at 2:30 pm View DetailsTuesday, January 22ndSeymour WolfeService is Tuesday, January 22nd at 10:00 a...

Court Reporting Services | Vacancies

illinoisofficialcourtreporters.com Do you want to be an Official Court Reporter for the Illinois Courts? Check here for openings!

Happy New Year from ILCRA! Starting new in 2019 we'll be featuring our "Brief It Wednesday" where we allow you, our members, to submit your favorite briefs. Every Wednesday we'll be sharing our favorites!

Check out this week's brief submitted by our member Isaiah! What's your brief for "2019"?

Thank you court reporters and artists!

Some public appreciation for court reporters and courtroom artists. (And she does mention that they ORDER the transcript (Y) )

msnbc.com Joy Reid expresses thanks on behalf of Rachel Maddow and the entire TRMS staff to the court reporters who go to great lengths to deliver the vital, timely court transcripts that inform the show, and the courtroom artists who allow us to see the goings-on.

Deposition Reporters Association of California

Just in from NCRA:

Dear valued member,

I am communicating with you today to let you know that Marcia Ferranto is no longer NCRA’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

NCRA’s Board of Directors has worked on a transition plan to ensure that strong leadership remains in place during this time of change. The Board has elected Dave Wenhold, CAE, PLC, as Interim Executive Director of NCRA, as well as brought Dave back to assume his previous role as external lobbyist in leading our Government Relations department. As many of you know, Dave served us for many years as NCRA Director of Government Relations, served as a previous Interim Executive Director, and was our outside lobbyist as well. We are confident that Dave’s experience, his understanding of our culture, and vast industry knowledge will continue to lead NCRA forward in its strategic plan during this time of transition. Dave will work with senior staff to retain continuity and stability regarding the programs and services NCRA provides to its members. His input and experience will also serve to assist the Board in determining the next steps forward in identifying a new NCRA Executive Director.

NCRA is fortunate to have a highly talented and knowledgeable staff supporting the backbone of our success as an association and profession. The Board is confident that this group of professionals, with the leadership of Dave and the NCRA Board of Directors, will continue to move the Association forward on a positive, constructive path that yields a bright future for all in this profession.

On behalf of NCRA’s Board of Directors, we wish to thank you for your support and trust in our leadership. Together, I know we will continue to grow as a profession and as an Association that provides valuable support to one another.

Respectfully,
Sue Terry, FAPR/RPR/CRR/CRC
NCRA President 2018-2019

Help the Chicago Humanities Festival Stay Accessible!

Tom Hanks gives a shoutout to the live captioner. That captioner? Our own Jo Gayle! https://makeitbetter.net/philanthropy/help-the-chicago-humanities-festival-stay-accessible/

makeitbetter.net For nearly 30 years, the Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) has brought audiences across the city together with some of the most powerful voices of our time in conversation and dialogue aimed at improving our city and communities.

Tennessee Court Reporters Association

Nicole

Official Court Reporters Needed!!!
Several positions open throughout western Illinois.
You can work in one of our charming small towns to a faster pace in Quincy.
Great benefits, great hours, great starting pay.
Always an opportunity to make extra money with transcripts!!
Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions:
Nicole Kopec, Court Reporting Supervisor, (217) 322-6226 or [email protected]

[10/17/18]   Lake County VHP needs court reporter volunteers!

Where: Waukegan County Courthouse, 18 North County Street, Waukegan IL 60085
When: November 12, 2018
Time: 8:30 a.m.

If you are available and willing to take the oral history of one of our veterans, please contact:
Arminda L. Badgerow
Administrative Office of the
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
847.377.3903

Elite Reporting Services

Be the Change You Wish to See! This will be my theme as president of The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) next year!

If you are part of the court reporting nation, or a consumer/friend/family of someone who is a consumer of closed captioning, we need your help and need you to be proactive!!

Quality closed captioning is under attack… And the time to take action is now!

Be the change you wish to see... make it happen!

Max

A message from NCRA Government Relations!

How to File a Captioning Complaint with the Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) encourages feedback from television viewers. You can easily file a complaint from the fcc.gov website. According to the FCC, a complaint is a form of feedback, and the FCC wants feedback from viewers. Any television viewer who cares about captioning quality is encouraged file a complaint whenever you see poor captioning.
Many TV stations are now using machine captioning as opposed to human captioning or simply the teleprompter. Several companies provide machine captioning to the stations. These companies and their products are IBM (Watson), ENCO (enCaption3 R3), and EEG (Lexi).
To prepare to file a complaint, keep an eye out for these four captioning quality standards, established by the FCC in 2014:
• Accuracy: To be accurate, captions must reflect the dialogue and other sounds and music in the audio track to the fullest extent possible based on the type of the programming, and must identify the speakers. Keep an eye out for speaker identifications, punctuation, misspellings, etc.
• Synchronicity: In order to be synchronous, captions must coincide with the corresponding dialogue and other sounds to the fullest extent possible based on the type of the programming, and must appear at a speed that can be read by viewers. The captions should not be lagging behind more than 5 seconds or so.
• Program Completeness: For a program’s captions to be complete, the captions must run from the beginning to the end of the program, to the fullest extent possible, based on the type of the programming.
• Placement: For proper placement, captions may not cover up other important on-screen information, such as character faces, featured text, graphics, or other information essential to the understanding or accessing of a program’s content.
When you watch your programming, keep these criteria in mind, and make notes of any errors in these areas that you see. In the complaint form provided by the FCC, you will be asked to elucidate the errors and mistakes that you see. The form that you will fill out can be found here.
When you open this link, you will find the following fields for you to fill in:
• your email address
• subject of the complaint
• description of the complaint
• the accessibility issues field

The subject field is where you enter “Captioning Issues, or Captioning Errors” to describe what your complaint is concerning, and the description field is where you will enter the details of the captioning errors you saw.
The Accessibility Issues field will open a drop down menu, and you will pick the Closed Captioning on TV option. When you choose that option, these new fields will appear:
• Preferred method of response: the FCC and the station have to respond to your complaints. This will allow you to choose what medium they use to do so. What are the choices?
• Name of Company Complaining About: is this how the form is worded?
• City of Company Complaining About: this is for the TV station, not the station owner
• State of Company Complaining About
Zip Code of Company Complaining About
• Phone Number of Company Complaining About
• Date of Your Issue
• Time of Your Issue
• Your TV Method
• TV Channel
• Call Sign
• Network
• Name of TV Program
• City Where Program Was Viewed
• State Where Program Was Viewed
• Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Phone
• Filing on behalf of someone?
• Attachments: Include here any photos or video you may have taken of the captioning errors
After you fill out all these forms and submit your complaint with the FCC, the video programming company (TV station) is required to respond to your complaint. When you receive these responses, please forward them to Matthew Barusch, Government Relations Manager of NCRA, for record keeping.
NCRA believes that machine captioning is not ready for live TV programming or any other live events. We know the companies behind this technology will keep working to improve their products. NCRA is committed to providing the best possible access for people with hearing disabilities.