Kane County Courts To Reopen Monday On Limited Basis

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County court system is preparing to reopen Monday for limited services, but all trials remain suspended until at least Aug. 3 due to the coronavirus, according to Kane County Chief Judge Clint Hull. The courts’ reopening is “a fluid situation,” Hull said, adding “this pandemic still poses a threat.”

“Therefore we must remain vigilant and take significant precautions to ensure that our community stays safe,” Hull said in a news release. “We have worked tirelessly to plan for a safe reopening of the courts. For it to work, however, it will require cooperation and understanding by everyone.”

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All courtrooms in the county will reopen on Monday with social distancing measures in place, and anyone who enters a courthouse must wear a mask, the release states. Employees will be measuring every visitors’ temperature as they enter the building. Anyone who has tested positive for the coronavirus or experienced related symptoms should not go to any court building, the release states.

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Hearings will be staggered throughout the day to follow social distancing guidelines, and some visitors may be asked to wait outside or in their cars if a courthouse reaches its capacity.

The most up-t0-date information about the Kane County court system's reopening can be found at illinois16thjudicialcircuit.org.

Below is a full list of requirements and safety precautions at Kane County courthouses:

• Everyone who enters a court building is required to wear a mask. Please bring your own mask as the supply of available masks is very limited. If you have a medical condition …
• Bring only items needed for court, and only persons who are required to be present for your case. Anyone not required to be in court should wait outside or in their car.
• Each person entering a court building will have their temperature taken with a digital, no-contact thermometer and be asked these health questions:
• Have you had contact with anyone who you are aware was symptomatic or COVID-19 positive for more than 10 minutes and within less than 6 feet in the last 14 days?
• Are you COVID-19 positive or symptomatic yourself?
• If your answer to either question is ‘yes,’ please call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (630) 232-3413; do not come to the courthouse.
• Childcare will not be available at any location until further order of the court.
• Social distancing measures will be in place in each courthouse, with seats and pathways marked. Everyone is expected to follow these measures.
• To allow for proper social distancing, the number of people in court will be restricted by reduced court calls and staggered court-calls times, as well as remote appearances and hearings. You may be asked to wait outside or in your car once the courthouse reaches its maximum capacity.
• You should contact your attorney to learn if you are required to appear on your next court date. Generally, defendants will not be required to appear at every court date until further order of the court.
• If you are representing yourself in court, you may contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (630) 232-3413, or visit the clerk’s website at www.cic.co.kane.il.us.
• For cases filed since the original March 16 court closure order, if you have not been to court or had a status date in June, you should receive a notice from the Circuit Clerk with a future date. If you have not received such notice, contact the Circuit Clerk.