Limited, in-person operations resume Monday at Cook County courts

Cook County courts in Rolling Meadows, Skokie and other suburban and city districts resume limited in-person operations and services beginning Monday, July 6, even as most proceedings will continue via videoconferencing to limit the number of people in the buildings.

Most in-person court operations were curtailed March 13 following an order by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order, issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the courts expand operations, county officials caution individuals to allow extra time to account for new wellness screenings and longer lines that may form to maintain physical distancing at entrances, elevators and escalators.

To that end, everyone entering the buildings will be subject to a wellness screening and a temperature check. Those who do not pass the survey and have a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be denied entry.

Everyone must wear a face covering with the exception of deaf or hard of hearing people and sign language interpreters.

Courtroom and elevator capacity will be limited and signage will indicate where people may stand. Additionally, plastic barriers have been installed in all occupied courtrooms and on public-facing counters within the buildings.

Anyone recently diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing related symptoms should stay home even if they have an in-person hearing scheduled. Those litigants should notify their attorneys or the clerk of the circuit court if they cannot appear. Attorneys can then request the hearing be rescheduled or held via videoconference.