Mask mandate remains in Cook County courts

Yesterday may have been Maskless Monday for area bars and restaurants, but the Circuit Court of Cook County plans to retain masking requirements for now.

Here is the complete text of a statement issued this morning by the Office of Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans:

The mandate that all persons using Circuit Court of Cook County facilities must wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.

The decision was made in consultation with Dr. Rachel Rubin, M.D., senior medical officer and co-lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health. “She informed my staff that our local community transmission rate remains substantial, and strongly recommends we continue our mask mandate until levels reach moderate or low,” Judge Evans said.

Court officials will continue to meet with the Cook County Department of Public Health in the coming weeks and provide updates as necessary. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office has notified the court that detainees being brought to court will continue to be masked. While mask requirements are being lifted or reconsidered at all levels of government, federal, state and local public health authorities continue to recommend that masks be worn in many settings, including some similar to the various spaces in Cook County courthouses. Therefore, until local transmission rates reach safer levels, the court will continue its policy of requiring masks or other face coverings in the courthouses at all times other people are present, unless a person is otherwise instructed by the judge or court personnel.

“I thank you for your continued cooperation as we follow medical professionals’ recommendations of best practices to keep us all safe during these times,” Judge Evans said.

For what it's worth, Rich Miller's Capitol Fax reports this morning that "COVID-19 metrics now as low as the last time face masks were optional."