PEORIA, Ill. — Over 50 inmates and jail staff have tested positive in a COVID outbreak at the Peoria County Jail.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office told news partner 25 News that 41 inmates and 11 jail staff had contracted the virus last week. The jail is currently on outbreak status, and several pods are quarantined.
The effects are being felt at the Peoria County Courthouse as well. Court administrator Gabe McLeod said many hearings are happening by video.
“[The Sheriff’s Office is] handling it,” McLeod said. “From our end, as far as still holding hearings and everyday court procedures, everything’s been going smooth.”
Employees said adapting has been key to dealing with the challenges presented by the pandemic.
“It has been difficult, but things are still moving along,” one courthouse employee said. “We’ve tried to adapt… This year’s a little bit better. I guess we’re getting used to it unfortunately.”
Defense attorneys said they are still allowed to go to the jail to see inmates who aren’t quarantined, but they must do so from behind plexiglass. All other visits to the jail are happening via video.
Peoria-area lawyer Shaun Cusack said the pandemic makes planning jail visits and preparing a defense more difficult.”
“Sometimes, something comes across my desk, and I need to get out to the jail and talk to the inmate about it confidentially, and I can’t do that now,” Cusack said.
He said planning ahead is key, but that isn’t always possible when court hearings and speedy trial requests come up quickly.
“The corrections employees have been definitely cognizant of the fact that we need to meet with clients,” Cusack said. “They’ve done a good of job as anyone possibly could.”
