DeKalb County Courthouse now requires all personnel, visitors to wear face coverings

SYCAMORE - The DeKalb County Courthouse is now requiring all persons to wear a face covering or mask when entering the courthouse as ongoing measures are put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to a news release from the 23rd Judicial Court presiding judge Robbin Stuckert, the mandate went into effect May 1, in accordance with Gov. JB Pritzker's ongoing executive orders and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The masks or face coverings are mandated at the courthouse to protect the general public as well as courthouse employees who may be unable to practice social distancing measures while conducting court business.

In the case of a person having no mask available to them, a small supply of masks may be available at the courthouse for use on a first come first serve basis. If there are no masks available, the courthouse staff may decide to conduct business via alternative means, such as via telephone or teleconference.

Many court proceedings have been continued until the governor's orders are lifted, and charges are being handed out with orders to appear instead of jail bookings. Jury trials and large docket calls such as in-person bond calls have been scheduled at a later date or are conducted via telephone conferencing in the case of daily bond calls.

An emergency preparedness plan has also been activated for DeKalb and Kendall county courts which both operate under the 23rd judicial court.

The 30-day suspension of select cases has also been extended unless they are deemed an 'essential court function'.

All cases set for trial between now and July 10 for Kendall County and July 17 fr DeKalb County are continued until further notice. The circuit clerk for each county will provide notice to participants.

Marriages will continue to be performed at the courthouses.