ILLINOIS REQUIREMENTS

[Johanna Ledesma]

I'm a CSR and RPR in California and am considering a move to Chicago, Illinois.  What are the licensing requirements, and are there any recommendations for me as far as reporting agencies?

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Here's the info from their website:

 

Fees: Examination fees change from test to test. Illinois no longer requires a preliminary examination. Endorsement $75; Acceptance of Examination $25; nonexam for Restricted Shorthand Reporters $35. Endorsement based on substantially equivalent requirements in other state or NCRA.

When Given: Three times a year at the specific time and date determined by the Board. Normally it is given in the southern and northern part of Illinois in April, August and December.

Brief Description of Test:

1) Written Knowledge: candidate must score at least 75%.

2) Dictation Examination: 200 wpm for 5 minutes at 95% accuracy and two-voice testimony at 225 wpm for 5 minutes at 95% accuracy.

Transcription: Upon completion of both parts of the Dictation Examination, the applicant shall transcribe both parts in double space form. The applicant shall be allowed an aggregate of 3 hours to complete all transcription. (There are exam retake provisions.) Computers shall be supplied at the location of the examination.

[Janiece Young]

I thought if you had your RPR, you could get the Illinois license, but please double check me on that.  Also, I think there is a lot of O&1 work there.  There is a gal on this site named Rachel (ph) and she is in Chicago.  She does a lot of work that is from outside firms who are coming in town b/c the Chicago/local work does not pay well.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Hi, Janiece.  That's always been puzzling to me.  Local agencies don't pay well, so they don't attract the best talent.  The best talent goes where the money is.  Outside agencies come into a market and attract all the best reporters.  Because of that, they get a good portion of the work.  Then local agencies bitch about it.  

M.A.

[Janiece Young]

Hi, Mary Ann,

I think this situation may be similar to the "Southern California Stipulation."  Somehow the other side gets away with not ordering a copy.  I don't know if the taking attorney gives them a copy or if their rate structure is different and the taking attorney just pays original costs and isn't charged for a copy.  There's something different going on there.  Someone from the area will have to explain it.  :-)

[Mary Ann Payonk]

You're probably right, Janiece.  No doubt you are right!  I just don't understand the price wars that occur on the local level among reporting agencies, they drop their rates to rock-bottom level, then someone who doesn't even really have an office in their town swoops in and can garner a lot of good work because they pay rates that attract the best reporters.  Some of these agencies that engage in price wars and such have no business sense, and I don't understand how they stay in business, actually.

M.A.

[Rachel Gard]

Janiece is correct.  Illinois has reciprocity with the RPR.  Chicago also has a decent number of no-writes.  We have an original only, not O/1 to the taking attorney.  Page rates reflect that and are lower.  However, there is an hourly attendance.  Most local Chicago agencies I've worked with will not pay for the rough when ordered with realtime.  They say that the rough is free if the attorney orders a realtime hookup.

 

Janiece is also correct that I very rarely work for local Chicago agencies at the present time, mainly due to a lot of the factors I mentioned.  85 to 90% of my work is realtime and/or rough draft work, which the local agencies I've worked for in the past don't seem to be able to provide that type of work on a steady basis.  That's not to say that there's no good local agencies.  There are.  It's just not where I choose to focus my practice now.

 

Feel free to contact me privately with specific questions about agencies.

[Johanna Ledesma]

Hi, Rachel,

I'm not sure how to send a private message to you, so I requested you as a friend.  I would like to ask you a few questions about Chicago's reporter community.

And a sincere thank you to all for the valuable information.