In 1917 Judge Sain Welty assigned Nannie Dunkin and William Irwin the duty of managing the caseload of divorces in McLean County. The Pantagraph reported that at first this move was resented, in that it might deprive attorneys of their fees. The proctors made decisions and recommendations regarding the award of alimony and child custody. They also counseled couples and reportedly mended several marriages.
One woman had filed for divorce based on cruelty, but Miss Dunkin and Mr. Irwin found that this charge was in relation to and "excessive amount of affection" and not a matter of kicks or punches. The couple was counseled into happiness and the divorce was dropped. (The wife was made to understand more fully her bedroom obligations.) Other couples came to the proctors to ask what sort of grounds were a legal basis for divorce and had to drop the idea of getting a divorce.
With regard to child custody, the proctors would investigate the home, the surroundings and the moral worth of the parents in making this decision. Nannie Dunkin would be experienced in assessing the moral worthiness of families -- she was also active in the Associated Charities, where decisions were made as to whether the poor of Bloomington were deserving of charity or not.
Although the Pantagraph assured the public that many divorces had been prevented by the good work of the Proctors, at the same time, the financial welfare of the attorneys had not suffered at all. Which seems to be an impossible conclusion!