Class action settlement notice for filing fees refund in Whiteside County lawsuit.

NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ("Notice") MARIA APARICIO, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. SUE COSTELLO, as Circuit Court Clerk of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Whiteside County, Illinois, DARLENE HOOK, as Treasurer of Whiteside County, Illinois and WHITESIDE COUNTY, Illinois, a body politic and corporate  Case No. 18 L 19  Circuit Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit, Whiteside County, Illinois  The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of a class action settlement in the above referenced lawsuit ("Lawsuit"), how it might affect your rights, and what steps you may or should take to: (i) participate in; (ii) object to; or (iii) opt out of the settlement of this Lawsuit. This Notice is not an admission by Sue Scott, as Circuit Court Clerk of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Whiteside County, Illinois, Penny VanKampen, as Treasurer of Whiteside County, Illinois and Whiteside County, Illinois, a body politic and corporate, ("Defendants") or an expression of any opinion, or finding of the Court concerning the merits of this Lawsuit. This Notice is intended solely to advise you of the settlement in this Lawsuit and your rights in connection with it.  If the Court grants final approval of the settlement (and there are no timely objections to or appeals of the settlement) ("Final Approval"), Defendant Whiteside County will create a settlement fund of $4,000.00 ("Settlement Fund") to settle this Lawsuit and to provide refunds of the fees paid in connection with the filing of motions or petitions to reconsider, vacate, reinstate or modify interlocutory (non-final) orders or judgments which Plaintiff has alleged that Defendants improperly collected pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2(g) from April 12, 2013 to the date of this Notice ("Filing Fees"). After Final Approval, you will be paid your proportionate share (based upon the total amount the Filing Fees you paid) of the remainder of the Settlement Fund after first deducting: (i) Class Counsel's (for Plaintiff) attorneys' fees, costs and expenses agreed to by the parties in the amount of $1,365.50; and (ii) a total Incentive Payment of $500.00 made to Plaintiff for being the class representative in this Lawsuit.  WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?  Do nothing  If you do nothing, you will be: (i) bound by the Settlement in this Lawsuit; (ii) releasing your claims related to the Lawsuit; and (iii) receiving the above-described payment from the Settlement Fund.  Opt out of the settlement  You have the right to exclude yourself from both the Lawsuit and the settlement by sending a written request for exclusion. Your request for exclusion must be mailed and show a postmark or other proof of delivery date on or before April 14, 2026, and it must list your name, street address, email address and the name and number of this case. You must serve copies of the request for exclusion on or before April 14, 2026.  Object to the settlement If you wish to object to the settlement rather than excluding yourself, you must file a written objection in the Lawsuit. Your objection must be postmarked by April 14, 2026, and must refer to the name and number of the Lawsuit. Your objection should include your name, address, and email address, along with a statement of the reasons why you believe the Court should find that the proposed settlement is not in the best interests of the Settlement Class. It may not be sufficient to state merely that you object; you should state your reasons for objecting. If you want the Court to consider your objection, then you are encouraged to also appear at the final approval hearing at the Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL in Courtroom A on May 6. 2026, at 10:30 a.m.  Requests to opt out and objections to the settlement must be sent by mail or carrier to:  Sue Scott, Circuit Court Clerk of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Whiteside County, Illinois  200 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270  With copies to:  Timothy J. Freiberg, Freiberg Law Offices, 4320 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL 61107  (and)  Ashley M. Lonski, Office of the Illinois Attorney General Government Representation Division, General Law Bureau, 115 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603  Colleen Buckwalter, Whiteside County State's Attorney, 101 E. 3rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081  WILL THE COURT APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT?  The Court will hold a final approval hearing on May 6, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., at the Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL in Courtroom A. The Court wilt hear any timely and properly -filed objection, and any argument about the settlement. You are not required to attend this hearing. The fairness hearing may he continued to a future date without further notice.  WHO REPRESENTS THE CLASS IN THIS LITIGATION?  Maria Aparicio is the "Class Representative." Class Counsel, Freiberg Law Offices, has litigated this matter on a contingency fee basis and has not yet been paid anything for its services and expenses in the Lawsuit. As part of the settlement, the parties have agreed to pay: (i) an "Incentive Payment" to Maria Aparicio of $500.00 for serving as the Class Representative; and (ii) Attorneys' fees, costs and expenses of $1,365.50 to Class Counsel. You will not have to pay any money to participate in the settlement. The Incentive Payment and payment to Class Counsel for fees, costs and expenses will be, if the Court approves, paid from the Settlement Fund. Defendants will pay the administrative notice, distribution and related expenses.  INQUIRIES:  If you have questions about this Notice or about the settlement, write or call (attorneys for the class members) Freiberg Law Offices, 4320 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL 61107, (217)801-2733.  You should include this Lawsuit's name and number, your name, your email address, and your current street address on any such correspondence. Do not contact the Clerk of the Court, the Judge, or the Judge's staff, because they cannot answer your questions.   March 3, 2026