Cook County prosecutors won't pursue low-level drug cases during COVID-19 pandemic

Cook County prosecutors will not prosecute nonviolent, low-level drug cases "which pose little to no risk to public safety" during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced Friday in a prepared statement.

Decreasing the number of people in custody decreases the opportunity for the spread of COVID-19. Further, it reduces potential exposure by police officers and first responders, jail staff, medical personnel and the community at large by "reducing the number of individuals who cycle through police stations and jail on minor offenses," the statement read.

The Illinois State Police have asked "routine (laboratory) submissions ... be held until further notice," said spokeswoman Sgt. Jacqueline Cepeda via email. ISP forensic science laboratories remain open and continue to accept evidence for cases involving violent crimes, Cepeda said.