United States Probation Office
Northern District of Illinois
Honorable Virginia M. Kendall, Chief Judge | Marcus Holmes, Chief U.S. Probation Officer
Home » Policies and Procedures

Waiting Room Instructions

Due to the space limitations, only those having business with a U.S. Probation Department employee will be permitted in the 34th floor waiting area of 230 S. Dearborn St., Suite 3400. All visitors should first report to the 1st floor for security screening. ALL visitors to the probation department (with the exception of U.S. Court employees) will be subject to security screening. The following items are forbidden within the confines of the U.S. Probation Office:

  • Illegal weapons of any kind, including, but not limited to, a knife that may or may not be used for employment purposes
  • Any type of explosive or hazardous device
  • Cellular telephones or other electronic devices may be brought in, but must be powered down and remain off while in the probation space.
  • Tools used for employment will not be permitted within the probation space unless arrangements/permission has been arranged in advance with the probation officer.

All items brought into the probation space will be subject to examination via a magnetometer, hand wand and/or visual inspection. Coats, belts, hats and any other accessory item must be removed. Pants legs will need to be raised upon request for visual inspection. Upon clearing the security area, all guests are to check in at the reception desk and relay any special instructions/requests to the receptionist.

While in the waiting area, guests are expected to respect the privacy and space of those around them. Association between convicted felons is strictly prohibited. Evidence to the contrary will be reported to the appropriate probation officer. Violators of this supervised release or probation condition may face adverse action.

Visitors accompanied by children under the age of 12 or someone who is disabled may accompany the visitor. All others will be directed to wait outside of the building. If at all possible, alternative arrangements should be made for child care when required to report to the probation office.

Emergency Procedures for Persons Under Supervision in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

In the event of a disaster, a contingency plan is critical to ensure your continued supervision; therefore, if you must evacuate your residence due to such an emergency, then you are required to do the following:

  1. Contact your probation officer (PO) within 24 hours of your departure (and any subsequent relocations) to advise of your temporary living situation and contact information.  If unable to reach your PO directly, you must leave a detailed voice mail message, including:

    • Your name
    • The full address of your temporary residence
    • The names of the occupants at your temporary residence (and their relationship to you)
    • A telephone number where you can be reached

    If calling during business hours, additionally call back and speak to a duty officer.

  2. If your assigned probation office is closed due to (or in anticipation of) the emergency and you have been unable to make contact with OR leave a voice mail message for your PO, then you must contact one of the other divisional offices in the Northern District of Illinois and provide the duty PO with the above-noted information.

    Chicago (312-435-5700) • Lisle (630-663-1080) • Rockford (815-987-4362)

  3. If your temporary residence is outside of the Northern District of Illinois AND/OR you are unable to make contact with a duty PO at any of the three divisional offices in Northern Illinois, you MUST contact the U.S. Probation Office nearest to your temporary residence and provide the duty PO with the above-noted information, plus the name of your assigned PO and your supervision district (Northern District of Illinois).

    • For those in a TREATMENT PROGRAM: adhere to your relapse prevention plan and maintain contact with your treatment provider.
    • For those in the LOCATION MONITORING (LM) PROGRAM: take the LM equipment with you upon relocation, if it is safe to do so.
    • For REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS: you MUST contact local law enforcement in the corresponding city/county within 24 hours of your relocation, advising them of your status, your new address and contact information, and the name and telephone number of your PO.  If you enter an EVACUATION SITE, you must notify shelter authorities of your status as a registered sex offender and provide them with the name and telephone number of your PO.