Kendall County courts resume full operations

YORKVILLE – All Kendall County courts resumed full operations this week, according to court officials.

Kendall County Chief Judge Robert Pilmer said in a Friday, May 29 news release full operations will resume beginning Monday, June 1. He said the Illinois Supreme Court has authorized circuit courts to resume operations at that time.

"And the judges in Kendall County are ready to do so," Pilmer said in the news release.

The update comes after court operations proceeded on a limited basis since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though full operations will resume, Pilmer said in the release, several changes have been made due to continuing health and safety concerns for all court users and courthouse employees. He said the courts are attempting to allow for appropriate social distancing and the courts have worked with county facilities officials in installing things like desk shields and the county health department in ensuring the courts are following current guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Pilmer said in the release most people will have an option to appear for traffic court – which is being held at Yorkville High School starting June 1 – via Zoom video conference call. While not all cases can be addressed remotely, he said, judges have embraced the use of video conference technology whenever able.

Face masks or coverings must be worn for those who must come to the courthouse, Pilmer said in the release. Court times also have been staggered to help minimize the number of people in the courthouse at any given time.

Pilmer said in the release jury trials are scheduled to resume in July, but the court may be limited in the number of trials that may be conducted due to social distancing concerns for potential jurors. He said the courts expect to call a sufficient number of prospective jurors to conduct trials and still take appropriate safeguards for the health and safety of all potential jurors.

"We've made a number of changes to the way the courts typically operate, and we expect to make other changes over time," Pilmer said in the release.