Social Distancing in Illinois’ High Court – Oral Arguments to Take Place via Zoom

 Posted on April 27, 2020 in General

By: Eddie Hettel

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered day-to-day life across the globe. With traditional face to face interactions coming to halt, schools, businesses, and governments have worked tirelessly to find innovative ways to continue their operations. The Illinois Supreme Court is among this group, and for the first time in history, will hold oral arguments for the month of May via Zoom teleconference.

In an effort to practice social distancing while continuing to conduct court proceedings for eager litigants, the Illinois high court has adopted this contemporary solution to keep its doors open.

Chief Justice Anne M. Burke said:

These are extraordinary times, but what we have found is that we can keep our traditions the same. Holding oral arguments via Zoom would have sounded beyond our abilities a few months ago, but now feels almost normal. The court has found that a lot of our regular work – including oral arguments – can be done remotely while still keeping people safe from COVID-19.

Attorneys will present their cases as they would in person, and must dress professionally and follow traditional rules of decorum. Justices will wear their robes and use a virtual background resembling the high court’s bench.

The court is scheduled to hear four cases on May 12, four cases on May 13, and three cases on May 14. Oral arguments will begin at 9 a.m. each day. The call of the docket for the May 2020 term is available on the court’s website. The public is invited to attend oral arguments via livestream on the court’s YouTube page.

Source: https://www.illinoislawyernow.com/2020/04/illinois-supreme-court-to-hold-may-oral-arguments-via-zoom/