Illinois courthouses remove mask mandate, starting Feb. 28

Individuals attending Illinois courts will no longer be required to wear masks beginning Monday, Feb. 28.

The Illinois Supreme Court removed the requirement Tuesday. Each circuit court may adopt rules requiring masks based off of local health conditions.

The amended order is available on the court website.

The amended order states “each circuit court may adopt rules requiring the wearing of masks in courthouses pursuant to appropriate public health guidance. Absent such local rules, the wearing of masks within courthouses is permitted, but not required. Persons choosing to wear a mask may be directed by a judge to remove it if deemed necessary for court purposes, such as when addressing the court or testifying.”

The removal of the mask requirement on Feb. 28 in Illinois courts will coincide with Gov. JB Pritzker lifting the indoor mask mandate.

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 have been on the decline recently. Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows the state has the fewest number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units since Aug. 1.