The Alternative Dispute Resolution Center for the Third Judicial Circuit will be celebrating its grand opening with an open house from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6.
The Center is located on the second floor of the court's Wood River facility at 101 East Edwardsville Rd.
Arbitration of cases filed in the county with a claimed value greater than $10,000 and less than $50,000 take place at the Center under the court's arbitration rules which were approved by the Illinois Supreme Court.
"We are happy to see the hard work of the arbitration committee and the efforts of the county board to make space available lead to the successful opening of this Center," Chief Judge Ann Callis stated in a press release.
The Center consists of hearing rooms, conference rooms, and office space for the arbitration administrator, Kathy Harris.
The parties, their attorneys, and a panel of three arbitrators for each case will appear at the facilities for hearings. If neither party objects to the ruling, an order affirming the award will be entered by Associate Judge Ralph Mendelsohn, the supervising judge of the Arbitration Court.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.