A Lake County judge has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and several county employees are now self-quarantining.
19th Judicial Circuit Court Chief Judge Diane Winter received confirmation on Tuesday that a judge had tested positive, according to a statement.
The judge was on the bench for bond court in courtroom T-110 the week of April 27 and last served in the courtroom on May 1.
“While the 19th Judicial Circuit Court has been operating under emergency operations only during this crisis, daily Bond Court is an essential proceeding necessary to address those arrested and charged the preceding day,” Chief Judge Diane Winter’s office said.
The judge began feeling ill on May 1 and got tested over the weekend. Everyone in the courtroom was notified after the positive test result and contact tracing was conducted by the Lake County Health Department.
The judge is resting at home and in good condition.
Court employees, private attorneys, domestic violence advocates, and staff at the circuit clerk’s office, public defender’s office and sheriff’s office were notified.
Some individuals listed above are self-quarantining and seeking testing based on their exposure and the guidance received by the health department.
Five sheriff’s office employees, seven state’s attorney’s office employees and one court employee are among those in self-quarantine, officials said.
The areas where the infected judge spent at have undergone a deep clean.
The 19th Judicial Circuit said they continue to follow all CDC, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Lake County Health Department guidelines.
“The Court also continues to enforce mask wearing and social distancing when in the building. Additionally, remote hearing options continue to be available to allow cases to proceed and to minimize the number of people in the courthouse,” officials said.