Taft partner Timothy Eaton has been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to chair the newly formed Task Force on Court Operations During COVID-19. The task force was convened to recommend guidelines for the reopening of courts in Illinois, as well as look at issues such as remote hearings in criminal cases, virtual trials in civil cases, and logistics in the courthouse itself related to masks, social distancing, and other preventative measures. The task force is comprised of judges, bar leaders, and court personnel from around the state.

On July 1, Eaton was quoted in the Law360 article, “Remote Hearings Will Play Big Role As Illinois Courts Reopen” and the July 2 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article “Judiciary Appoints COVID-19 Task Force.” Both articles discuss how Illinois state courts, facing a backlog due to COVID-19, have geared up their work on plans for how to safely reopen. Remote hearings will continue to play a significant role in court operations for the foreseeable future.

Eaton is a senior litigation partner in Taft’s Chicago office, concentrating his practice on appeals, commercial litigation, and arbitration. He is a former law clerk for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and is active in local and national bar associations. Eaton is a past president of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois.