Lake County, IL Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) (Lake County, IL). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Circuit Court of Lake County General Administrative Order on Portable Electronic Devices. Yes. Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) provides phone lockers (free of charge): Vestibule lockers available at main Washington St / County St entrance for prohibited items. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush. Last checked
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan)
- Address
- 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL 60085
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (847) 377-3600
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~2,531 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- City of Waukegan Parking Garage at 225 N. County St (Across from Courthouse)
- How to Validate
- Jurors park free at the 225 N. County St garage. Bring your parking ticket into the Jury Assembly Room for machine validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Waukegan local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Lake County)
Authority: Circuit Court of Lake County General Administrative Order on Portable Electronic Devices · Verification: Official .gov Administrative Order + Sheriff Security Desk Verification
| Rule / Amenity | Lake County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) Circuit Court Policy: "Cell phones are permitted inside the facility on silent mode. All phones must be silenced in courtrooms."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones allowed on silent | “Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) Circuit Court Policy: "Cell phones are permitted inside the facility on silent mode. All phones must be silenced in courtrooms."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | Lockers available (Free) | “Security Checkpoint Notice (Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan)): "Small personal electronics lockers are available in the main lobby (free of charge); capacity is limited and Court Security assumes no liability."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (phones allowed inside) | “Security Checkpoint Notice (Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan)): "Small personal electronics lockers are available in the main lobby (free of charge); capacity is limited and Court Security assumes no liability."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · City of Waukegan Parking Garage at 225 N. County St (Across from Courthouse) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Lake County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at City of Waukegan Parking Garage at 225 N. County St (Across from Courthouse). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) Circuit Court Policy: "Cell phones are permitted inside the facility on silent mode. All phones must be silenced in courtrooms."” |
| Security line wait times | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (Lake County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | “Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) Circuit Court Policy: "Cell phones are permitted inside the facility on silent mode. All phones must be silenced in courtrooms."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Lake County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
Allowed (Silent) | Free lockers at security | Validated free (City of Waukegan Parking Garage at 225 N. County St (Across from Courthouse)) |
| Lake County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
Allowed (Silent) | Limited vestibule lockers | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Lake County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
You may bring your cell phone inside on silent mode. Do not take your phone out inside a courtroom unless the judge explicitly asks you to display digital proof of insurance or exhibits.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~10 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Lake County, IL
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Lake County, IL, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, IL?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) (Lake County, IL). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Circuit Court of Lake County General Administrative Order on Portable Electronic Devices.
Does Lake County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
Yes. Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) provides phone lockers (free of charge): Vestibule lockers available at main Washington St / County St entrance for prohibited items. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush.
Where do I park for jury duty at Lake County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at City of Waukegan Parking Garage at 225 N. County St (Across from Courthouse). Jurors park free at the 225 N. County St garage. Bring your parking ticket into the Jury Assembly Room for machine validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Lake County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Lake County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 10-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 20 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Lake County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (847) 377-3600 or consult a local Lake County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- Illinois jury duty pay & laws
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
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Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Lake County Courthouse & Babcox Justice Center (Waukegan)? Submit a verified update.