The Will County Clerk’s Office has collected more than $30 million since it started its partnership with Harris and Harris, Clerk Andrea Chasteen said in a news release Monday.

The program began collecting fines and fees that criminal defendants and ordinance violators have obtained over the years, according to the release. It recently reached a total of $30,274,410.

The money collected through the program benefits the 24 townships and the municipalities of Will County. The office has been able to return $349,357 to New Lenox; $556,253 to Plainfield; $717,456 to Romeoville; $1,006,351 to Bolingbrook; and $2,623,419 to Joliet.

Chasteen encourages anyone with outstanding fines or fees to pay them before an additional 30 percent collection fee is enforced and to avoid collection efforts.

“I would like to thank James Glasgow, Will County state’s attorney, and Larry Walsh, Will County executive, for their continued support,” Chasteen said. “I would also like to give credit to the efforts of our staff in the Finance Department and Dan Sepulveda for coordinating our collection efforts, taking the payments and forwarding the funds.”

Anyone who might have fines or fees to pay can make a payment through the Will County Circuit Clerk's website at circuitclerkofwillcounty.com or by calling 888-604-7888. Payments also can be made through the mail or money order or in person with a cashier's check made payable to the Will County Circuit Clerk, 14 W. Jefferson St. 2nd floor, Joliet, 60432. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.