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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

GENERAL ORDER 20-0012

March 12, 2020

IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY

The Governor of the State of Illinois has declared a public health emergency throughout the state in 

response to the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health authorities have advised the 

taking of precautions to reduce the possibility of exposure to the virus and slow the spread of the disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to protect public health, and in order to reduce the size of public 

gatherings and reduce unnecessary travel, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 

hereby issues the following order effective immediately:

1. The United States Courthouses in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois will remain open for business, subject 

to the following limitations.

2. The following events in the Northern District of Illinois, scheduled to begin before April 3, 2020, are 

continued pending further order of the Court:

All civil jury trials

Second Chance reentry court proceedings

Veterans Treatment court proceedings

Petty Offense (CVB) proceedings

Settlement conferences (other than by telephone)

The Court may issue other orders concerning future continuances as necessary and appropriate.

3. Criminal case proceedings will continue. The Court is cognizant of the right of criminal defendants to a 

speedy and public trial under the Sixth Amendment, and the particular application of that right in cases 

involving defendants who are detained pending trial. Individual judges presiding over criminal 

proceedings may take such actions consistent with this order as may be lawful and appropriate to 

ensure the fairness of the proceedings and preserve the rights of the parties.

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4. The time period of any continuance entered through April 6 as a result of this order shall be excluded 

under the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A), as the Court finds that the ends of justice served 

by taking that action outweigh the interests of the parties and the public in a speedy trial. The Court 

may extend the period of exclusion as circumstances may warrant.

5. Judges may conduct court proceedings by telephone or video conferencing where practicable.

6. Criminal matters before Magistrate Judges, such as initial appearances, arraignments, detention 

hearings, and the issuance of search warrants, shall continue to take place in the ordinary course.

7. Grand juries shall continue to meet.

8. Deliveries of documents of any kind must be made to the drop boxes (in the lobby of the Dirksen 

Courthouse in Chicago or the 2nd floor of the Roszkowski Courthouse in Rockford), or the Clerk’s 

Offices. No document deliveries shall be made to chambers.

9. Effective March 14, all mass public gatherings, other than court proceedings, are suspended at both the 

Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago and the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse 

in Rockford. This includes, but is not limited to group tours and visits, moot courts and mock trials, bar 

group meetings, seminars, and naturalization ceremonies.

10. The Clerk’s Office, Probation, Pretrial Services, and all other Court services shall remain open.

11. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois shall remain open for all other business. Staff 

in the Clerk’s Offices are available by telephone, mail will be received, and intake desks remain open 

for filings. Electronic filings may still be made through the CM/ECF system. The public is encouraged 

to continue utilizing Court services while following all applicable public health guidelines.

12. The Court will vacate or amend this General Order no later than April 3, 2020.

ENTER:

FOR THE COURT

 

Chief Judge

 Dated at Chicago, Illinois this 12th day of March, 2020

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