CHICAGO - Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx announced Friday that her office will not prosecute cases of non-violent, low-level narcotics offenses during an outbreak of COVID-19.
Instead, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office will prioritize other charges on a case-by-case basis, the office said in a statement.
The aim is to protect the health and safety of police officers, first responders, medical professionals, and jail staff and the Cook County community at large, according to the statement.
“By reducing the number of individuals who cycle through police stations and jail on minor offenses, we can mitigate some risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus,” prosecutors said.
On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker announced a "stay at home" order for Illinois residents.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Gov. Pritzker announces 'stay at home' order to Illinoisans amid COVID-19 pandemic
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the state's residents to remain in their homes except for essential needs, joining similar efforts in California and New York to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Officials also announced 163 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 585.
This browser does not support the Video element.
163 more coronavirus cases confirmed in Illinois; state total now 585
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, spoke about the new cases Friday afternoon.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Chicago doctor gives impassioned plea regarding COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois
At a press conference Friday afternoon, lead epidemiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Emily Landon was asked to speak on the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois and she delivered an impassioned plea to the public.