Chicago Regional Office

COVID-19 Safety Protocols for the AAA-ICDR^® 
Chicago Regional Office & Hearing Center

The Chicago Regional Office of the AAA-ICDR complies with state and local COVID-19-related orders and guidance, and we ask that all visitors to our hearing facilities do so as well.

Documents To Complete In Advance of Your Visit

Please complete and return the following documents to your case manager prior to your hearing:

• COVID-19 Safety Measures to be Followed by Visitors to the American Arbitration Association’s Chicago Offices
• American Arbitration Association Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 for Visitors to AAA Offices

Please complete the following Symptom Check questionnaire each day of your hearing. 

Upon arrival, you will be asked to show that you completed the Symptom Check.

• AAA Visitor COVID-19 Daily Symptom Check (PDF)
• AAA Visitor COVID-19 Daily Symptom Check (Electronic Version)

Important Safety Protocols and Procedures

Prior to opening, the office was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Hearing rooms are limited to one hearing per day, and all hearing rooms are cleaned daily.

Stations throughout the hearing facility supply hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Appropriate social distancing—at least six feet—must be maintained in all areas of the office and hearing rooms. Signage is in place to remind you of this requirement.

A mask or cloth face covering (over mouth and nose) is required in all common areas, including restrooms, and when social distancing cannot be maintained.

An occupancy limit is set for each of the hearing rooms and common areas to allow for social distancing.

Acrylic partitions are available upon request.

Planning Your Hearing

The AAA-ICDR aims to make available as many of our valued amenities as possible given current state and local COVID-19 guidance. Please contact us to find out more about which amenities are currently available.

A Hybrid Approach to Hearings

Hearings may take a hybrid approach, where some arbitrators, parties, representatives, and others appear in person while others participate virtually. The AAA-ICDR can assist with these alternative hearing arrangements.

Video Conferencing Technology

The Chicago Regional Office is outfitted with the following video conferencing technology:

• Wireless content display
• Wireless content sharing
• Wireless Internet access
• Audio and videoconferencing capability
• Room-based PC
• Wall-mounted commercial-grade monitors and projection displays
• Tabletop touchpad capable of controlling all room technology

Please see the documents below for further guidance:

Virtual Hearing Guide for Arbitrators and Parties
Virtual Hearing Guide for Arbitrators and Parties Utilizing ZOOM
Order and Procedures for a Virtual Hearing via Videoconference

Election Services

If you are interested in Election Services, please contact Matt Lacy at 312.616.6582 or email [email protected].

More information on our Election Services is available at https://www.adr.org/ElectionServices.