Court Reporter

Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is now accepting applications for a Court Reporter. Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system and submit a cover letter and resume. Please provide letters of recommendation (if possible one judge and three members of a federal trial bar, preferably of this Court).

To apply, please see the “Notice to Applicants” section listed below. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has an opening for an Official Court Reporter. Official Court Reporters serve the Court en banc and must comply with the requirements of the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Courts and the Court Reporter Management Plan of this Court.

The Official Court Reporter is responsible for recording verbatim testimony of court sessions or other proceedings as specified by statute, rule, or order of the Court. At the request of a party or by order of the Court, the Court Reporter provides transcripts within the time frames and cost requirements of the Judicial Conference. Official Court Reporters are required to maintain accurate and legible records of time, attendance, transcript production, and earnings.

• Applicants who are realtime certified from the National Court Reporters Association, the U.S. Court Reporters Association, or an equivalent examination approved by the Administrative Office of the United States (i.e., State of Illinois realtime examination) are preferred. Applicants who are not realtime certified will be considered for the position if they: (1) meet the minimum established requirements set forth by the Judicial Conference;
  
  (2) provide realtime reporting to the judges of this Court; and (3) agree in writing to attain realtime certification within 18 months of the appointment date with the Court.
• At least four years of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service or in other courts or a combination thereof.
• Qualified by testing for listing on the Registry of Professional Reporters of the National Court Reporters Association or have passed an equivalent qualifying examination.
• Skilled in the use of Computer-Aided Transcription equipment.
• Possess and provide all necessary personal equipment and software.
• Certificate of Merit from the National Court Reporters Association is preferred.

Occupational Information

The position requires the ability to record verbatim testimony, to read back all or any portions of the court records, to work well under pressure, to work extended court and transcription production hours within strict time limitations, and to work as a part of a team to serve all the judges of the Court.

The Northern District of Illinois is home to the five largest cities in Illinois:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, and Naperville. Also known as “The Windy City,” Chicago is the third most populous city in the U.S. with over 2.7 million inhabitants and nearly 10 million people living in the Chicago metropolitan area. With Lake Michigan as its eastern border, Chicago covers more than 237 square miles.

Chicago is home to numerous museums and cultural institutions including Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A center of art and culture, Chicago has over 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries, and more than 7,300 restaurants.

Known for its magnificent skyline, Chicago is home to buildings designed by some of the world’s most renowned architects including Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Dirksen Courthouse.

Major Chicago universities include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola…