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Central Illinois federal court suspends all civil and criminal jury trials, public gatherings due to COVID-19 public emergency

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* From the Central District of Illinois 7th…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS SEVENTH AMENDED GENERAL ORDER 20-01
October 30, 2020
IN RE: COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY

WHEREAS the Governor of the State of Illinois has declared a public health emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19 and has subsequently placed further restrictions on some regions within the Central District of Illinois; further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities have advised public and private entities to take precautions to reduce the spread of the virus and set forth measures to avoid exposure. The United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois recognizes the need to take measures to effectuate these goals, while also continuing to fulfill its mission and keep both its civil and criminal court functions operating.

NOW THEREFORE, to protect the public health, reduce the size of public gatherings, and reduce any non-essential travel, the Court hereby enters this Seventh Amended General Order 20-01 to amend the directives issued in the Sixth Amended General Order 20-01 (entered on August 14, 2020), effective immediately and until January 25, 2021, or further Order of the Court as follows:

Suspension of Jury Trials
To limit the numbers of persons whose presence is required in the federal courthouses in Peoria, Springfield, Urbana and court operations in the Rock Island Division, temporarily relocated to Davenport, Iowa, all civil and criminal jury trials are suspended effective immediately and shall be rescheduled by the presiding judge to a date after January 25, 2021. The presiding judge in cases affected by this order shall enter any appropriate orders, including findings under the Speedy Trial Act, on the docket of the individual cases. The Court finds that the time period of any continuance entered from the date of this Order through January 25, 2021, 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 are served by taking that action outweigh the interests of the parties and the public in a speedy trial, given the need to protect the health and safety of defendants, defense counsel, prosecutors, court staff, and the public by reducing the number of persons whose presence is required for such in-person hearings.

Suspension of Public Gatherings
All public gatherings, including Naturalization Ceremonies, at the federal courthouses in Peoria, Springfield and Urbana shall be suspended during the effective period of this Order, unless specifically authorized by the Chief Judge.

All other provisions of the Sixth Amended General Order 20-01 remain in effect.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 30, 20 @ 4:48 pm

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