Residents have been streaming out of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago for decades, moving on to other cities and towns.

Now Lake County officials are debating whether they too should reduce their footprint in urban centers in a quest to cut $15 million from the county's budget.

Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez offered his suggestion last week to close his civil offices, which deliver court paperwork and process mortgage foreclosures, in the East Chicago and Hammond county courthouses.

"This would improve efficiency," Dominguez said. "You have to equip and maintain fewer offices."

He is following a recommendation first made by the 2007 Good Government Initiative study paid for by the county's largest corporate taxpayers. The study demands consolidation of the sheriff's and treasurer's offices and most courts to a central location -- possibly Crown Point.

The Lake County Council Finance Committee discussed but ultimately rejected completely closing all three satellite courthouses and county offices for a combined savings of $1.9 million.

County Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, who has worked since 1991 in the East Chicago satellite courthouse clerk's office, said she is opposed to any such closures.

"The satellite offices are busy, very busy," Cid argued. "I believe they serve the people here."

She also doubts whether any savings will be realized.

Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins, who has presided over the East Chicago civil court since last year said, "There was a serious move to close this office down last year because of low filings, but our numbers are now up.

"I know we are in the midst of judicial economy and 'Good Government,' but we always need to be sensitive to people who shouldn't have to travel all the way to Crown Point. This is not Indianapolis where there is a tremendous public transportation network."

Councilman Larry Blanchard, a member of the finance committee, said closing one or more satellite courthouses "is not out of the picture, but we can't just close it immediately. We need a comprehensive three- to five-year plan in place that addresses all of the concerns people have."