Cook County Circuit Court resuming limited in-person operations Monday

The Cook County Circuit Court system will begin in-person operations Monday, but most cases will continue to be heard virtually.

The court system has been essentially online-only since March 13, when Presiding Judge Timothy Evans issued an order to comply with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order. Monday will mark the first small loosening of that order.

Litigants, attorneys and others involved in cases will be asked to confer with the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office before their hearings to figure out whether they’ll be expected to attend in person or via Zoom, according to a news release.

For in-person matters, people entering court buildings will be required to wear masks and given wellness checks at the entrance.

Monday’s policy change affects the Leighton Criminal Courts Building, the Daley Center, all branch courts and the suburban courthouses in Markham, Bridgeview, Rolling Meadows, Maywood and Skokie.

“We will continue to identify the appropriate balance between allowing access to justice and minimizing the threat to public health,” Evans said in a statement. “I am asking everybody in the justice system to exercise patience and flexibility and comply with public health guidelines as we move forward.”