Masks required to be worn starting Wednesday at McLean County Law and Justice Center

Law and Justice Center
The chief judge for 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes McLean County, Mark Fellheimer, issued a series of administrative orders requiring face coverings to be worn in all public areas of the building. (WJBC file photo)

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Another central Illinois courthouse is requiring face coverings to comply with latest COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The mask requirement at the McLean County Law and Justice Center takes effect Wednesday, even for people who’ve been fully vaccinated, although children younger than two-years old don’t have to wear masks.

The chief judge for 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes McLean County, Mark Fellheimer, issued a series of administrative orders requiring face coverings to be worn in all public areas of the building.

Masks won’t be required for workers who are at their desks, and if they’re not near other people. Judges and court reporters don’t have to wear masks if they’re maintaining proper social distancing during court hearings. Court participants might also be asked to take off their masks when they’re speaking.

Last week, similar mask-wearing directives were issued for the 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers courthouses in Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark Counties.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…