On March 20, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered that the Chief Judge of each Circuit may continue trials for 60 days and until further order of the Supreme Court.  Illinois Supreme Court’s Order.

On March 25, 2020, the Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit, continued all trials for 60 days from March 20, 2020, and until further order of the Illinois Supreme Court.  15th Judicial Circuit Order

We will continue to monitor this ever changing situation for our clients.  Please call us if you have any questions about your matter.

In Illinois, we are sheltering in place, but essential businesses and operations continue.  Please take a look at the order.  Attorneys and many others are essential businesses.

https://www2.illinois.gov/Documents/ExecOrders/2020/ExecutiveOrder-2020-10.pdf

As I said before, our goal is to protect our clients, our team, and our community.

To achieve our goal, we went to virtual meetings only this week.  It went well.  However, this week we halted any signing and witnessing of documents in person to protect everyone.  Next week, we will start “drive-thru” signing and witnessing of documents for those who cannot wait to complete their planning.  We will do this in our parking lot with disposable clipboards and pens.  More to follow next week.

Be well my friends!

Our goal is to protect our clients, our staff and our community.  To meet this goal, we have taken the following three actions:

1.  We are meeting via telephone or video conference with our clients and other professionals.
2. We will use e-signing anytime we can.
3. We are developing a procedure for “drive-thru” signing of documents that need witnesses.  We will be ready to sign your trusts, wills, and other documents very soon through our “drive-thru.”

As many of you know, civil matters in the 15th Judicial Circuit have been continued for at least 30 days.  Please check with us if you have questions about your matter.

We are constantly monitoring the situation and are here to help and advise our clients.

Thank you and stay healthy!

The judiciary of Illinois’ 15th Judicial Circuit should be commended for taking swift and decisive action to combat the spread of COVID-19 and for protecting the citizens of the Circuit. Thank you to the judges of the 15th.

Chief Judge Hanson states, “Out of an abundance of concern for the health and well-being of the citizens of Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle and Stephenson Counties, and consistent with the recommendations of the Illinois Supreme Court, as well as the County Health Departments within our circuit many of the civil and criminal cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit will be postponed and suspended beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing through Friday, April 17, 2020.”

During the period of suspension, all civil matters not deemed an emergency will be postponed to a future date.

Any clients with questions about the status of their matter should give us a call at 815.235.4411.