COVID-19 Updates
List of Community Resources Available During COVID-19 Pandemic in English and Spanish
State's Attorney's Office Court Contact Information
Cook County Resumption of Court Operations and Services Plan - 07/06/20
Read more here.
*Update on Court Operations - 6/26/20
Under an order entered today (6.26.20) by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, the Circuit Court of Cook County will begin conducting more court proceedings on July 6, with most matters to continue to be held remotely via videoconference. Anybody seeking information about when they need to attend court should visit the website of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for details on how to receive court dates via email. Information is also available by calling 312-603-5030.
You can the full order here.
*Update on Court Operations - 5/27/20
On Thursday, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans will enter an order that essentially extends his current order to July 6 or until further order of court, meaning the date could be earlier than July 6. On June 1, emergency matters will continue to be heard in civil and criminal cases. Since the modified court operations began on March 17, judges have heard more than 111,000 criminal matters either in person or via videoconference.
Read the full order here.
*Chief Judge Evans extends modified court operations through May 31 - 5/1/20
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today entered an order that extends the postponement of many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County through May 31.
Today’s order amends Chief Judge Evans’ prior orders that similarly allowed emergency matters to proceed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and, most recently, postponed most cases through May 18.
Read the full order here.
*Domestic Violence Remote Screening Plan - 4/6/2020
If you are a survivor of domestic violence please call 911. Police will still respond. The CCSAO will work with local law enforcement to obtain arrest warrants, emergency orders of protection, and necessary resources.
In the interest of public health and safety during this rapidly evolving situation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) worked in collaboration with the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and advocates to create protocols for remote screening of domestic violence incidents where the offender is not present. The CCSAO DV screening unit remains open remotely and is available to assist survivors with court information, support, and resources.
Remote Screening Protocol Plan. Effective: April 4, 2020
*Chief Judge Evans extends postponement of most court cases, orders video appearances systemwide 3/30/20
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today entered an order that extends the postponement of many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County through May 18.
The order also expands the use of videoconferencing for all court proceedings deemed necessary or emergencies during this time. The Office of the Chief Judge has been working with the justice system stakeholders – the sheriff, clerk, state’s attorney, and public defender – on this increased use of video appearances.
Read the full statement here.
*Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Announces 1st Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - 3/30/20
Today, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) announced its first confirmed case of an employee who tested positive for COVID-19. The employee works at the Cook County Domestic Violence Court Building located at 555 W. Harrison Street in Chicago and last reported for work on March 24, 2020. Due to privacy law, no additional information about the individual can be released.
The CCSAO is directly contacting anyone known to have had contact with the employee in the last two weeks.
Unrelated to this employee and in addition to routine cleaning and disinfection, a deep cleaning took place at 555 W. Harrison St. on March 25, 2020.
All CCSAO employees working at that location will be sent home for 14 days.
*Information on Price Gouging during COVID-19 Pandemic - 3/25/20
As we all continue to cope amidst this unprecedented public health crisis, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) would like to remind you to be cautious of unscrupulous businesses or companies that may target and prey on consumers by charging excessively high prices for goods and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is unlawful to charge excessively high prices for goods and services during a state-declared disaster. Price gouging causes substantial injury to consumers by needlessly increasing the cost of goods and services necessary to treat or prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and making such items less available for use by the general public.
Cook County residents are encouraged to report incidents of price gouging to the CCSAO by calling 312-603-8600 or by filling out a price gouging complaint form.
More information: Price Gouging Frequently Asked Questions
*Update on Cook County jail population - 3/23/20
Following a hearing before Cook County Judge Leroy K. Martin earlier today, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx released the following statement regarding the urgent situation at the Cook County Jail and emergency bail hearings to expedite release of detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the statement here.
*Statement on Prosecution of non-violent, low-level narcotics offenses - 3/20/20
Amidst the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx today announced that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) will not prosecute cases of non-violent, low-level narcotics offenses at this time and will continue to review and prioritize other charges on a case-by-case basis to make appropriate determinations in light of the public health crisis and reduced court operations and staffing. Read the statement here.
*FOIA Operations - 3/17/20
Please be advised that from March 17th through April 15th, while the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is open, in order to protect our employees and the public, only the most essential employees will be physically present at SAO locations. These safety considerations will unavoidably impact the operations of SAO FOIA.
Therefore, in the interests of public health and safety, during this period, while the SAO will make every attempt to respond to FOIA requests, we may be unable to respond within the statutory time period and appreciate your cooperation.
*Guidance from the Cook County Clerk of the Court - 3/16/20
Clerk Dorothy Brown urges limited in-person contact at Clerk’s Office during coronavirus health concerns, promotes use of remote access services. Read more here.
*Circuit Court Proceedings - 3/14/20
In light of rapid developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has been working closely with the Circuit Court and all of our criminal justice system partners. Our top priority is protecting the health, safety, and rights of everyone who interacts with our court system.
The CCSAO will remain open and work will continue; however, in accordance with the Chief Judge’s announcement below and in consultation and agreement with the Cook County Public Defender, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 we will be suspending all non-essential criminal court, juvenile court, and child protection proceedings for 30 days to encourage social distancing and public health.
Our staff will be reaching out to victims and witnesses of crime to inform them of the status of their case and next court date. Questions may be directed to our Victim/Witness Unit team at 773-674-7200.
We appreciate the collaboration of our partners in law enforcement and the court system, and we will continue to work together on behalf of public health, safety, and justice for all during this unprecedented time.
Please find additional information from the Office of the Chief Judge here.