One of the Winnebago County Courthouses to Remain Closed on Tuesday, November 8 Due to a fire that occurred in the Winnebago County Courthouse during the evening Saturday, November 5, the 17th Judicial Circuit Court announces the following: The Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center located at 650 West State Street, Rockford, Illinois and the Winnebago County Juvenile Justice Center located at 211 South Court Street, Rockford, Illinois 61101 REMAIN OPEN and all hearings in these two buildings remain set as scheduled. Individuals who have court appearances scheduled in the Criminal Justice Center (Courtrooms A, B, C, or D) or in the Juvenile Justice Center (Courtrooms 1, 2, or 3) should attend court as scheduled. The Winnebago County Courthouse, located at 400 West State Street, Rockford, Illinois 61101 will REMAIN CLOSED on Tuesday, November 8. All court hearings in the Winnebago County Courthouse scheduled on Tuesday, November 8 are cancelled and will be rescheduled, except as noted below: The morning (8:00 am – 12:00 noon) Drug Court Call of Presiding Judge Janet R. Holmgren scheduled on Tuesday, November 8 in Courtroom 217 will be held entirely virtual (no in-person appearances) - Zoom Meeting ID 821 7161 1372. The morning (8:00 am – 12:00 noon) Family Law Call of Presiding Judge Joseph P. Bruscato scheduled on Tuesday, November 8 in Courtroom 455 of the Winnebago County Courthouse will instead take place in Courtroom B of the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center, 650 West State Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102. The morning (8:00 am – 12:00 noon) Misdemeanor Call of Presiding Judge John T. Gibbons scheduled on Tuesday, November 8 in Courtroom 315 will be held entirely virtual (no in-person appearances) – Zoom Meeting ID 895 4199 8371. A Virtual Courtroom Directory is available on the Court's Website. Individuals seeking emergency orders of protection in Winnebago County may come to the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center for in person assistance or make use of the Court’s online request system. This is a fluid situation. In-person court appearances at the Winnebago County Courthouse are not expected to resume this week. The Court is in process of rescheduling cases, either as entirely virtual proceedings or in alternate locations. Ongoing announcements and scheduling changes will continue be posted on the Court’s website. During regular business hours, contact the Winnebago County Circuit Clerk's Office at 815-319-4500 for assistance with scheduling information. PDF of Press Release
