The Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday an increase in the annual registration fee for attorneys practicing in Illinois to fund an important goal — providing legal services in non-criminal cases to those below or near the poverty line.

The Supreme Court also announced that retired judges who wish to remain active on the state roll of attorneys will no longer be exempt from paying the attorney license registration fee.

Under amended Supreme Court rules, the annual registration fee will increase from $289 to $342 — an increase of 14½ cents per day. The entire $53 increase will be remitted to the Lawyers Trust Fund, which contributes to agencies in Illinois that provide legal services to the poor.

“Since its inception, the Lawyers Trust Fund has been integral in providing access to our system of justice to those who can least afford it,” said Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride. “It is a very important goal and even more so in these economic times. It demonstrates a clear commitment by the full Court to continue to encourage attorneys in Illinois to assume responsibility for those unable to afford legal services.”

Even with the increase in fees, Illinois will rank in the bottom half of the states and the District of Columbia in the amount it assesses in licensing fees and dues. Connecticut is the highest with a total fee of $675 annually; Indiana and Maryland are the lowest with an annual fee of $145.

The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (LTF) receives its revenue from two sources: a portion of the licensing fee and the interest on pooled funds that attorneys are required to hold for clients while matters are pending. Under the rules changes, the amount remitted to the LTF will increase from $42 to $95.