Creating our Judicial Web SiteCreating our Judicial Web Site

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of

IllinoisLake and McHenry Counties

Margaret J. MullenChief Judge

Project GoalsProject Goals

To provide additional public access To provide additional public access to the courts and judicial system to the courts and judicial system through technologythrough technology

To be responsive and flexible to the To be responsive and flexible to the public’s needspublic’s needs

To inform and serve the general To inform and serve the general public, legal community and the public, legal community and the employees of the Third Branch of employees of the Third Branch of GovernmentGovernment

OverviewOverview

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois website was a multi-phase project website was a multi-phase project involving numerous personnel and a involving numerous personnel and a wide variety of resources. wide variety of resources.

A review of the different phases follows.A review of the different phases follows.Note:Note: Every website may not include all of the Every website may not include all of the information or data we included but the phases information or data we included but the phases used are basically the same.used are basically the same.

Visit our web site at: http:\\19thCircuitCourt.state.il.us, Visit our web site at: http:\\19thCircuitCourt.state.il.us, or talk with Winnie and Joe, our JIS Representativesor talk with Winnie and Joe, our JIS Representatives

FOR MORE INFO...

Phases of DevelopmentPhases of Development

Phase I - PlanningPhase I - Planning Phase II - Collecting data and materialPhase II - Collecting data and material Phase III - Layout and PresentationPhase III - Layout and Presentation Phase IVPhase IV - Implementation and Publishing- Implementation and Publishing Phase V - PromotionPhase V - Promotion Phase VI - Feedback, Analysis and Phase VI - Feedback, Analysis and

Updates Updates

Phase I - PlanningPhase I - Planning You need Top - down Support - Chief You need Top - down Support - Chief

Judge, Court Administrator, Directors and Judge, Court Administrator, Directors and the Support Staffthe Support Staff

Ask Ask “Who is your audience?”“Who is your audience?” Ask Ask “What do they want from you?”“What do they want from you?” Use the four steps of MarketingUse the four steps of Marketing

– AttentionAttention - Get it and Hold it or you’re wasting time! - Get it and Hold it or you’re wasting time!– InterestInterest - Create it & help the client find what they are - Create it & help the client find what they are

looking for!looking for!– DesireDesire - Show them you have what they want! - Show them you have what they want! – ActionAction - Help them get what they want! - Help them get what they want!

Phase II-Collect data and materialPhase II-Collect data and material

Start with what you haveStart with what you have– Annual Reports, brochures, handouts, Annual Reports, brochures, handouts,

Overviews, Long Range Plans, etc.Overviews, Long Range Plans, etc.

Get or make digital copiesGet or make digital copies– Paper copies have to be scanned and Paper copies have to be scanned and

converted or completely retypedconverted or completely retyped

Limit your picturesLimit your pictures– Each picture adds to the time it takes Each picture adds to the time it takes

to load the page. Cliparts load faster.to load the page. Cliparts load faster.– PicturesPictures can’tcan’t be protected and could be protected and could

show up where you don’t want them!show up where you don’t want them!

Phase III - Layout & PresentationPhase III - Layout & Presentation

Make a series of “Storyboards”Make a series of “Storyboards”– Ask yourself “How do I get the Ask yourself “How do I get the

information or services desired, now information or services desired, now ask how does the next person get that ask how does the next person get that same information?”same information?”

– Provide multiple ways of getting to Provide multiple ways of getting to same information. Think “same information. Think “K I S SK I S S”!”!

Brainstorm with a Planning GroupBrainstorm with a Planning Group– Decide on the look and feel of the siteDecide on the look and feel of the site

Phase IV-Implement & PublishingPhase IV-Implement & Publishing

Decide whether to develop the site in-Decide whether to develop the site in-house or have it developed professionallyhouse or have it developed professionally– Remember, ultimately someone in-house will Remember, ultimately someone in-house will

have to update it.have to update it.– There are numerous tricks in good web There are numerous tricks in good web

development so a few choice classes from the development so a few choice classes from the Community College is money well spentCommunity College is money well spent

If you have software that you are use to If you have software that you are use to and that can do the job - USE IT!and that can do the job - USE IT!– Word & WordPerfect can write pages for Word & WordPerfect can write pages for

websites, but not very wellwebsites, but not very well

Phase V - PromotionPhase V - Promotion

Continue the Marketing Plan - AdvertiseContinue the Marketing Plan - Advertise– Do Press Releases, Presentations, Email the Do Press Releases, Presentations, Email the

Web Masters you link to, Bookmarkers, put Web Masters you link to, Bookmarkers, put your address on your business cards, flyers, your address on your business cards, flyers, publications, brochures, correspondence, etc.publications, brochures, correspondence, etc.

– Make your Homepage the default on the web Make your Homepage the default on the web browser of the Law Library & Staff computers.browser of the Law Library & Staff computers.

– Add a message to your automated voice mail Add a message to your automated voice mail

system. For example: “system. For example: “For additionalFor additional information visit our Website atinformation visit our Website at “www.XXxxCircuitCourt.State.il.us/”“www.XXxxCircuitCourt.State.il.us/”

Phase VI-Feedback, Analysis, UpdatePhase VI-Feedback, Analysis, Update

Provide a common Email address for Provide a common Email address for feedback and commentsfeedback and comments

Review & analyze the “Review & analyze the “Hit LogHit Log” ” – Plan to obtain Web Analysis SoftwarePlan to obtain Web Analysis Software– This tells you what your clients are This tells you what your clients are

looking for and what they’re not!looking for and what they’re not!Do updates and additions frequentlyDo updates and additions frequently

– List updates on a “List updates on a “What’s NewWhat’s New” Page ” Page so people don’t have to search for themso people don’t have to search for them

What did we Pick!What did we Pick!

Three ways of getting there!Three ways of getting there! Search the entire WebsiteSearch the entire Website Sitemap - Preview what’s hereSitemap - Preview what’s here Who, What ,When and Where!Who, What ,When and Where! Our Press ReleasesOur Press Releases Last date our site was updatedLast date our site was updated What’s New on the SiteWhat’s New on the Site Publications and BrochuresPublications and Brochures Links to Legal Sites, Schools, Links to Legal Sites, Schools,

Quick References & AgenciesQuick References & Agencies Messages from the CJ & SCMessages from the CJ & SC

Web Address BreakdownWeb Address Breakdown

The Internet address (URL) is how the The Internet address (URL) is how the public will find your site.public will find your site.

www.19thCircuitCourt.state.il.uswww.19thCircuitCourt.state.il.usLet’s break it down:Let’s break it down:

www.www. = = World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

19thCircuitCourt.19thCircuitCourt. = = Who are youWho are you State.State. = = What level of Government are youWhat level of Government are you

ILIL = = What State are you fromWhat State are you from

USUS = = What Country are you fromWhat Country are you from

TechnologyTechnology Use a Standard Desktop PC for your Web Use a Standard Desktop PC for your Web

Development StationDevelopment Station– Little additional expense needed in hardware Little additional expense needed in hardware

to develop your site.to develop your site.

Use Web Development SoftwareUse Web Development Software– MS FrontPage 2002 provides a lot of options MS FrontPage 2002 provides a lot of options

and templates with little additional training and templates with little additional training required. Go Live & Dreamweaver are othersrequired. Go Live & Dreamweaver are others

Graphics Software and ScannerGraphics Software and Scanner – Allows you to add and manipulate images, Allows you to add and manipulate images,

graphics and picturesgraphics and pictures

Cost of Web DevelopmentCost of Web Development Though a web site can be put together Though a web site can be put together

rather inexpensively, they’re not freerather inexpensively, they’re not free– DevelopmentDevelopment - Plan on about 20-160 - Plan on about 20-160

manhours depending on how much is manhours depending on how much is going into the site and what is already in going into the site and what is already in electronic format.electronic format.

– Administration/TrainingAdministration/Training - Request the Web - Request the Web Address (URL) as early as you can - but Address (URL) as early as you can - but there’s a small Catch 22 - To get a URL, there’s a small Catch 22 - To get a URL, you need a Web Host. To get a Web Host, you need a Web Host. To get a Web Host, you need a website.you need a website.

Cost of Web DevelopmentCost of Web Development– Upkeep and MaintenanceUpkeep and Maintenance - Plan on at least - Plan on at least

one person 6 hours a week to do updates, one person 6 hours a week to do updates, additions and link verification for your additions and link verification for your website.website.

Software/HardwareSoftware/Hardware– Web DevelopmentWeb Development - $149.00 to $1000.00 for a - $149.00 to $1000.00 for a

Full Studio SuiteFull Studio Suite– Web Log AnalyzerWeb Log Analyzer - Freeware to $499.00 - Freeware to $499.00– Graphics SoftwareGraphics Software - $99.00 to $609.00 - $99.00 to $609.00– URL RegistrationURL Registration - $70.00 to $90.00 for 2 yrs - $70.00 to $90.00 for 2 yrs– Web HostWeb Host - Free to $90.00 per month - Free to $90.00 per month

Sample SoftwareSample Software

Most Software Companies provide downloadable Most Software Companies provide downloadable fully functional sample copies of their Programs fully functional sample copies of their Programs but with a 30-45 day time limit. but with a 30-45 day time limit.

Test drive the product for 30 days, then it will Test drive the product for 30 days, then it will disable itself & give you a way to purchase it.disable itself & give you a way to purchase it.

Some test products are the older or non-fully Some test products are the older or non-fully functional versions and leave out the new more functional versions and leave out the new more desirable functionsdesirable functions

Downloadable Samples come Downloadable Samples come withoutwithout Support Support This does give you a way to use the product to This does give you a way to use the product to

develop your site, but you have to be quick to develop your site, but you have to be quick to learn it and ready to use it!learn it and ready to use it!

Evaluation Software for WebsitesEvaluation Software for Websites

Microsoft Frontpage 2002 with Image Composer Microsoft Frontpage 2002 with Image Composer http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/trial/default.htmhttp://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/trial/default.htm

Adobe Go Live 6.0 Adobe Go Live 6.0 http://www.adobe.com/products/golive/main.html#http://www.adobe.com/products/golive/main.html#

Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Adobe Acrobat 6.0 No Evaluation copy availableNo Evaluation copy available --http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.htmlhttp://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Adobe Photoshop 7.0 http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.htmlhttp://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html

Macromedia Dreamweaver MX Macromedia Dreamweaver MX http://www.macromedia.com/software/downloads/http://www.macromedia.com/software/downloads/

Caere OmniPage Pro 12 OCR Caere OmniPage Pro 12 OCR http://www.caere.com/democentral/http://www.caere.com/democentral/

JASC Paint Shop Pro 8.1 JASC Paint Shop Pro 8.1 http://www.jasc.com/download_4.asphttp://www.jasc.com/download_4.asp

WebTrends Log AnalyzerWebTrends Log Analyzer http://www.webtrends.com/site_download/download.htm?product=standardhttp://www.webtrends.com/site_download/download.htm?product=standard

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

The average person initially spends The average person initially spends less than less than 30 seconds30 seconds on a website. on a website. If you don’t catch their attention in If you don’t catch their attention in that time, they will move on, never that time, they will move on, never to return!to return!

If you do get them to stay & use If you do get them to stay & use your site, don’t make them work for your site, don’t make them work for the information, enough said!!!the information, enough said!!!

Pictures on the WebPictures on the Web

Every Picture you see on a website is Every Picture you see on a website is downloadable and adds to the download downloadable and adds to the download time of the page that it is located on. time of the page that it is located on.

Also if you use Judges pictures, don’t be Also if you use Judges pictures, don’t be surprised if they show up on a website surprised if they show up on a website that doesn’t agree with a judgment of that doesn’t agree with a judgment of theirs - including their address, phone # theirs - including their address, phone # and directions to their house.and directions to their house. ( (This happened in North Dakota)This happened in North Dakota)

Future Plans for our WebsiteFuture Plans for our Website Court Forms onlineCourt Forms online

– Initially will be able to fill out and print locallyInitially will be able to fill out and print locally

Virtual Tours (Online video)Virtual Tours (Online video)– Including the Courthouse, Jury Commission, Including the Courthouse, Jury Commission,

Law Library, Juvenile Complex, etc.Law Library, Juvenile Complex, etc.

Better Navigation ButtonsBetter Navigation Buttons– Dropdown Menus, Mouse Over Buttons, etc.Dropdown Menus, Mouse Over Buttons, etc.

What are we looking at for the Future:What are we looking at for the Future: – E-Filing, Paying Tickets online,E-Filing, Paying Tickets online, Access the Access the

Clerk’s Records & Court Docket online, etc.Clerk’s Records & Court Docket online, etc.

Current StatusCurrent Status

Overview of progress Overview of progress – Site online with no downtime. Completed first Site online with no downtime. Completed first

year with over 36,000 visitors worldwide. year with over 36,000 visitors worldwide. Now average 580,000 a monthNow average 580,000 a month

– Updates and Additions - Updates and Additions - ONGOING!ONGOING! Unexpected delays or issues during the Unexpected delays or issues during the

ProjectProject – Getting the Domain Name - First court in the Getting the Domain Name - First court in the

state to ask for a dedicated Judicial Website. state to ask for a dedicated Judicial Website. We needed collaboration between the State We needed collaboration between the State CMS Department and Chief Justice of the CMS Department and Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme CourtIllinois Supreme Court

Contact Us with your QuestionsContact Us with your Questions

Visit our Web Site @Visit our Web Site @– http:\\19thCircuitCourt.state.il.ushttp:\\19thCircuitCourt.state.il.us

Contract the Web Manager@Contract the Web Manager@– courts@co.lake.il.uscourts@co.lake.il.us

Mail or Phone your questions to:Mail or Phone your questions to:– Winnie Webber or Joe SvobodaWinnie Webber or Joe Svoboda

Nineteenth Judicial CircuitNineteenth Judicial Circuit18 North County Street18 North County StreetWaukegan, IL 60085Waukegan, IL 60085

(847) 377-3600(847) 377-3600

Website Summary ReportWebsite Summary Report

Website Statistics (as of Aug 7, 2000)Total # of Files 1618 177,024 KBTotal # of Pictures 714 26050 KBTotal # of Hyperlinks 5978Total # of External Hyperlinks 1936

Quarterly Report Aug-99 Nov-99 Feb-00 Jul-00 1st YearNumber of Unique Users 451 723 1,232 2,089 10,097Number of User Sessions 1048 1674 2,882 5,303 36,111Average Number of User Sessions Per Day 37 59 99 171 99Average User Session Length 0:08:31 0:13:06 0:12:56 0:17:28 0:16:29Number of Users Who Visited More than Once 134 212 278 451 1,764

Month/Year Comparision Aug-99 Aug-00Number of Unique Users 451 2,448Number of User Sessions 1048 6262Average Number of User Sessions Per Day 37 202Average User Session Length 0:08:31 0:19:35Number of Users Who Visited More than 134 535