Jury trials in St. Clair County circuit court that would have begun the week of Aug. 3 have been continued until further notice.
According to an administrative order issued by Twentieth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson, because of a recent rise in COVID-19 positivity rate "proper distancing and facilities limitations prevent trials from proceeding safely in St. Clair County."
"This determination is based on the limitations in Court facilities for conducting jury trials and takes into consideration the burden and effect on staffing, as well as the state of emergency that has been declared by the Governor of the State of Illinois in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus," the order states.
The continuances of trials "serve the ends of justice and outweigh the best interests of the public and defendants in a speedy trial," the order says.
It also indicates that resident circuit judges in Monroe, Randolph, Perry and Washington counties are authorized to issue local orderrs, rules or protocols for trial settings.