Politics

Government Shutdown Forces Chicago’s Federal Court to Suspend Pay, Limit Some Operations

Chicago’s top federal judge announced plans to halt pay and some operations at the Dirksen Federal Building and beyond as the court system continues “feeling the pain” of the ongoing government shutdown.

Virginia Kendall, the chief judge for the Northern District of Illinois, on Friday said that court employees will no longer receive their salary payments and the clerk’s office will limit some operations beginning Saturday.

“I am concerned that the lack of appropriation will create delays in the Court’s ability to ensure timely justice,” Kendall said in a statement. “Furthermore, the dedicated public servants, who allow those who seek redress prompt access to Court, are now feeling the pain of their paychecks being suspended and facing difficult financial decisions to keep their families afloat because of the shutdown.”

The government shutdown began at midnight Oct. 1 after lawmakers in Washington, D.C., failed to reach a deal to extend government funding.

Beginning Saturday, the clerk’s office will begin conducting only “excepted” activities — meaning those that are necessary to continue the court’s constitutional functions or address emergency circumstances.

Already the shutdown has delayed some court proceedings and required a reduction in the workforce of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other federal agencies.

Despite those issues, Kendall said the court has been notified there are enough funds to continue paying petit and grand jurors, meaning all trials and grand jury proceedings will continue as scheduled until those fees are exhausted.

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