DuPage County postponing bench, jury trials to early 2021

DuPage County courts have begun postponing jury and bench trials due to the increase in cases of COVID-19 illnesses in the state and region.

Chief Judge Daniel Guerin issued the order Tuesday.

Bench trials, where cases are decided by a judge, will resume Jan. 4. Jury trials will resume Feb. 1.

"Bench and jury trials involve multiple people inside a courtroom for extended periods of time," Guerin said in a written statement. "In order to protect the health and safety of court employees, jurors, witnesses, attorneys, litigants and the general public, we decided that continuing these trials into 2021 was the responsible and prudent step to take in response to the recent surge in COVID- 19 cases."