7th Judicial Circuit Court, Greene County, Illinois Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification agreement

Parties who reach an agreement must complete the Certification Agreement.

If the parties reach an agreement, they must complete the Certification Agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request must indicate that notice was provided to counsel of record, parties appearing without counsel, and the court media liaison.

- 5. Notice of this request has been provided to: Counsel of record: _____ Parties appearing without counsel: _____ The court media liaison: _____

CRITICAL

Applies to

Change of date notice

Every change-of-date notice must state whether the appearance is in person or remotely on Zoom and include the appropriate Notice of Rights.

In every change of date notice, the Circuit Clerk shall provide notice of whether the appearance is in-person or remotely on Zoom along with the appropriate Notice of Rights.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion hearing notice

A hearing notice must identify the motion judge, action, hearing date and time, and nature of the motion, and must be served with the motion and papers or a statement that they were previously served.

e. The notice of hearing shall designate the motion judge, shall show the title and number of the action, and the date and time when the motion will be presented. Notice of motion to be made shall state the nature of the motion. A copy of any written motion and of all papers presented or a statement that they previously have been served shall be served with the notice.

CRITICAL

Must include

proposed order

For an otherwise ineligible case, all parties must agree and present a proposed Agreed Order for the Court to consider allowing a remote hearing.

The Court may consider allowing an otherwise presumed ineligible case to proceed to a remote hearing if all parties agree and present the Court with a proposed Agreed Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation referral form

The moving party’s attorney—or the Judge when both parties are self-represented—is responsible for completing the Mediation Referral form and forwarding it to the selected mediator(s).

The moving party’s attorney, or Judge when both parties are self-represented, shall be responsible for completion of the Mediation Referral form (Appendix D) and for forwarding that form to the mediator(s) selected.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instruction

When news media is present at any portion of a civil or criminal trial, the judge must give the specified jury instruction.

(b) Jury Instruction. The judge shall give the following instruction to the jury when news media is present at any portion of a criminal or civil trial: In this case, the news media was permitted to [video] [record] [photograph] [livestream] [blog] the proceedings pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois. In your deliberations, you should not draw any inferences or conclusions from the fact there was extended media coverage at this trial or proceeding. Nor should you concern yourself with why certain witnesses were filmed or photographed and others were not. Whether a particular witness was filmed or photographed is not any indication as to the value of, or weight to be given to, that witness's testimony.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of compliance

After compliance with the court’s order, the Clerk must sign and file a Certificate of Compliance substantially following Appendix 2.

Upon compliance with the court's order, the Clerk shall sign and file in the cause a Certificate of Compliance in substantially the same form as Appendix 2 of this Administrative Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Provisional order

A provisional order must include the agreed terms and conditions receiving a positive finding and specify issues without agreement or a positive finding.

g. In cases in which agreement has been reached on all or some qualifying issues and the mediating judge has found that agreement on at least one such issue could reasonably be in the best interest of the child or children, the mediating judge shall, within 21 days after conclusion of a mediation, enter and file in the pending case a provisional order which shall contain the agreed terms and conditions with which the mediating judge has made positive finding and shall also specify issues as to which agreement was either not reached or was not the subject of positive finding by the mediating judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleadings

Using a Clerk-provided form does not excuse an individual from filing pleadings and proceeding in conformity with 750 ILCS 45/1 et seq.

The use of the form made available by the Clerk shall not excuse an individual from filing pleadings and proceeding in conformity with 750 ILCS 45/1 et seq.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery service certification

Counsel's proof-of-service certification for a discovery request must briefly describe the request and include proof of service on its recipient.

2. Proof of Service. Proof of service of any request for discovery shall be made by certification of counsel briefly describing the request made, together with proof of service on the party to whom they were directed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint parental responsibility allocation order

Joint parental responsibility allocation orders must include at least the listed parenting, decision-making, access, notice, communication, and related provisions, subject to the stated exceptions and conditions.

All joint parental responsibility allocation orders are required to conform to the requirements of the provisions of 750 ILCS 5/602.10, including, at a minimum, the following: i. an allocation of significant decision-making responsibilities; ii. provisions for the child's living arrangements and for each parent's parenting time, including either: (A) a schedule that designates in which parent's home the minor child will reside on given days; or (B) a formula or method for determining such a schedule in sufficient detail to be enforced in a subsequent proceeding; iii. a mediation provision addressing any proposed reallocation of parenting time or regarding the terms of allocation of parental responsibilities, except that this provision is not required if one parent is allocated all significant decision-making responsibilities; iv. each parent's right of access to medical, dental, and psychological records (subject to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act), child care records, and school and extracurricular records, reports, and schedules, unless expressly denied by a court order or denied under Section 602.11; v. a designation of the parent who will be denominated as the parent with the majority of parenting time for purposes of Section 606.10; vi. the child's residential address for school enrollment purposes only; vii. each parent's residence address and phone number, and each parent's place of employment and employment address and phone number; viii. a requirement that a parent changing his or her residence provide at least 60 days prior written notice of the change to any other parent under the parenting plan or allocation judgment, unless such notice is impracticable or unless otherwise ordered by the court. If such notice is impracticable, written notice shall be given at the earliest date practicable. At a minimum, the notice shall set forth the following: (A) the intended date of the change of residence; and (B) the address of the new residence; ix. provisions requiring each parent to notify the other of emergencies, health care, travel plans, or other significant child-related issues; x. transportation arrangements between the parents; xi. provisions for communications, including electronic communications, with the child during the other parent's parenting time; xii. provisions for resolving issues arising from a parent's future relocation, if applicable; xiii. provisions for future modifications of the parenting plan, if specified events occur; xiv. provisions for the exercise of the right of first refusal, if so desired, that are consistent with the best interests of the minor child; provisions in the plan for the exercise of the right of first refusal must include: (i) the length and kind of child-care requirements invoking the right of first refusal; (ii) notification to the other parent and for his or her response; (iii) transportation requirements; and (iv) any other provision related to the exercise of the right of first refusal necessary to protect and promote the best interests of the minor child; and xv. any other provision that addresses the child's best interests or that will otherwise facilitate cooperation between the parents.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Entry of appearance

A self-represented litigant must file an entry of appearance, available through the provided link.

A self-represented litigant shall file an entry of appearance which may be obtained by clicking the following Entry of Appearance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury admonishment

At the start of a civil or criminal trial with an approved extended-media-coverage request, the judge must give the jury the specified admonishment.

(a) Jury Admonishment. The judge shall give the following admonishment to the jury at the commencement of any criminal or civil trial with an approved request for extended media coverage: In this case, I have approved a request to allow the news media to [video] [record] [photograph] [livestream] [blog] the proceedings. This is permitted by the Illinois Supreme Court and is subject to numerous restrictions contained in the Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois. The policy regarding cameras in the courtroom is very strict and the court closely monitors every policy provision. In general, the policy permits the news media to film, record, and photograph the courtroom setting, the participants in the trial, and any persons who might be in the audience. The policy does not permit the news media to film or photograph any of you as jurors or the jury panel in the courtroom or outside the courtroom. The presence of cameras does not make this case more important than any other. All trials are equally important to the court and the involved parties. You should not draw any inferences or conclusions from the fact that cameras are present at this particular trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mental health provider discovery request

A discovery request to a mental health services provider requires leave of court and an attached written order, and must be returnable in open court for in camera review.

Any discovery request served upon a provider of mental health services may be made only with leave of court, upon written order to be attached to the discovery request, and returnable in open court for in camera review by the court for a determination of whether the documents may be produced.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan

Unless the court approves otherwise, a parenting plan must comply at least with the standardized Parenting Plan.

Unless otherwise approved by the court, the parenting plan shall comply, at a minimum, with the standardized Parenting Plan which can be accessed by clicking on the following Parenting Plan.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

The objection must describe the specific facts and circumstances supporting the allegation.

The specific facts and circumstances in support of the allegation are described as follows:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation referral form

The mediation referral form must be completed by counsel for the minor or another party directed by the court and sent to the mediator within three days after entry of the Mediation Order.

A mediation referral form shall be sent to the mediator within three (3) days of the entry of the Mediation Order, and shall be completed by counsel for the minor or such other party as the court directs.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial case management order

At the conclusion of the initial case management conference, the parties must submit a completed initial case management order consistent with Appendix A and containing the listed information.

At the conclusion of the initial case management conference, the parties shall submit to the court a completed initial case management order in a form consistent with Appendix A to these rules, which shall provide, at a minimum, the following: a. The status of the parties; b. Parenting class compliance; c. The temporary residential status of the children of the parties; d. Any temporary agreements with regard to child support; e. Whether parental responsibility allocation or parenting time is at issue; f. Mediation; g. Discovery issues; h. A date and time for the next case management conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice

When an opposing party has not appeared or the notice-giver lacks the party’s contact information, the Notice must explain the party’s participation options and how to request remote participation.

If an opposing party has not appeared and/or the party providing Notice does not have an opposing party's e-mail address or telephone number, the Notice shall also inform the opposing party that the party may participate in the hearing personally at the designated time and place, and alternatively, that if the party prefers to participate in the hearing remotely, the party should inform the Clerk of the Court at least three (3) full business day before the hearing of the party's desire to participate remotely and provide the Clerk the party's e-mail address or, if none, a telephone number. The Clerk will then forward that information to the presiding judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition to establish parentage

The Petition to Establish Parentage must comply with 750 ILCS 45/1 et seq.

The contents of the form petition shall comply with the provisions of 750 ILCS 45/1 et seq.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request must state that it is made on behalf of all news media organizations.

- 1. This request is being made on behalf of all news media organizations.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parental responsibilities order and parenting plan

If the parents agree, they must provide the court with an agreed parental-responsibilities order and an agreed parenting plan.

The parents shall provide the court with an agreed order regarding parental responsibilities and an agreed parenting plan, if there is an agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation materials

After a mediation order issues, the parties are to provide the mediator-requested information, including the listed case documents, questionnaires, memoranda, and current contact information.

Upon the issuance of an order for mediation, the parties are to provide to the mediator information requested by the mediator, including but not limited to the following: 1. The Mediation Order; 2. Record sheets and all pleadings in the case; 3. All filed discovery material; 4. Completed pre-mediation questionnaires (containing, among other items, domestic violence-related inquiries); 5. All settlement conference memoranda filed in the case; and 6. Current mailing addresses, telephone and FAX numbers for the parties and counsel in the case.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Application

Applicants seeking approval as private mediators must supply supporting documentation.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, The Seventh Judicial Circuit shall promulgate a list of private mediators who have been approved by the Chief Judge after supplying supporting documentation and meeting the following requirements:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery objection or motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A discovery objection or motion to enforce compliance must include a certificate stating that consultation and reasonable resolution attempts failed, or that opposing counsel was unavailable or unreasonable.

7. Resolution of Discovery Differences. Prior to filing any objection to any requests or filing a motion to enforce compliance with any request, the party so filing is required to file with the objection or motion a certificate that states that counsel have been unable to resolve discovery differences after personal consultation and reasonable attempts to resolve differences have been unable to reach an accord or that opposing counsel has made himself or herself unavailable for personal consultation or was unreasonable in attempts to resolve differences, as required by Supreme Court Rule 201 (k).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

In self-represented cases, financial affidavits must be filed before referral to judicial mediation.

in self-represented cases, after filing of financial affidavits

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request must identify the type of coverage requested and the equipment and number of personnel involved.

- 3. The type of extended media coverage requested is as follows: _____ Video Camera _____ Still Camera _____ Video/Audio Recording _____ Live Blog Include type of equipment and number of personnel: _____ _____ _____

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A party objecting to a discovery request, seeking to enforce compliance, or challenging the sufficiency of a response must attach and file all relevant discovery with the motion.

6. Objections. Whenever any party has objection to any requests, or seeks to enforce compliance with any request or otherwise addresses a motion to the sufficiency of a response, they shall attach to their motion and file with the Circuit Clerk, a copy of all relevant discovery in order that the court may properly consider the motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Trial document request

At trial, document requests are limited to originals of documents previously produced in discovery, subject to the stated temporary-relief exception.

Supreme Court Rule 237(b) now provides that the only documents which can be requested at trial are the originals of those documents previously produced in discovery,

WARNING

Applies to

Objection

The objection must state specific reasons for opposing extended media coverage of the witness’s testimony.

3. I object to extended media coverage of my testimony for the following reasons (please be specific):

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Application

Applicants may be required to provide biographical or other relevant information requested to assess their qualifications.

The Chief Judge or his/her designee in his/her discretion may require any biographical or other relevant information from an applicant in order to determine the applicant's qualifications for inclusion on the list.

WARNING

Applies to

Memorandum of understanding

If the participants wish to proceed with mediation, they should sign the modified memorandum.

The memorandum as modified should be signed by the participants if they wish to proceed with the mediation.

WARNING

Applies to

Memorandum of understanding

The mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding for participant review and, after final review, send a copy to each participant and their attorney.

Upon the reaching of an informal agreement through the mediation process, the mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding for review by the participants. Upon final review, a copy of this memorandum shall then be sent to each participant and each respective attorney.

WARNING

Applies to

Memorandum of understanding

At the initial session, the mediator should provide participants with a written statement or memorandum of understanding containing the information specified in paragraph 3 and any other appropriate provisions.

At the initial session the mediator should provide the participants with a written statement or memorandum of understanding which includes all of the foregoing information in paragraph 3 and any other provisions which are appropriate.

WARNING

Applies to

Temporary relief hearing document request

For temporary relief hearings in Domestic Relations and Family cases, the trial document-request limitation does not apply to the specified tax, wage, and financial documents.

however this limitation is deemed inapplicable to requiring production of the following documents for temporary relief hearings in Domestic Relations (D) and Family (F) cases: 1) a party's most recently filed federal and state income tax returns with all attachments including W-2 forms; 2) a party's wage statements for the prior two months or the most recent wage statements from all employers if said statements provide year-to-date gross and net wage information; 3) a party's financial statements, profit and loss statements and balance sheet statements, if applicable.

WARNING

Applies to

Mediator application

Any person seeking to become a court approved mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Matrimonial and Family Dispute Mediators are met.

Any person seeking to become a court approved mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Matrimonial and Family Dispute Mediators are met.

WARNING

Applies to

Financial affidavit

3. Temporary child support and maintenance. Matters of temporary child support and maintenance may be addressed by financial affidavit only in accordance with 750 ILCS 5/501(a) (1).

3. Temporary child support and maintenance. Matters of temporary child support and maintenance may be addressed by financial affidavit only in accordance with 750 ILCS 5/501(a) (1).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Verification of attendance

Attorneys must submit verification of continuing-education attendance to the designated office at the time of attendance or upon request.

submit verification of attendance to the Office of the Chief Judge, or, for Sangamon County, the Chief of the Family Division at the time of attendance or upon request.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Guardian ad litem report

A guardian ad litem must tender a written report to the Court if ordered to do so.

If appointed as such, the Guardian ad Litem shall tender a written report to the Court, if so ordered.

WARNING

Applies to

Objection

A party's objection must state specific facts and circumstances supporting the allegation that extended media coverage would materially interfere with the parties' right to a fair trial.

2. There is good cause to believe that the presence of extended media coverage, under the particular circumstances of the proceeding, would materially interfere with the right of the parties to a fair trial. The specific facts and circumstances in support of the allegation are described as follows:

WARNING

Applies to

Objection

A witness's objection must state the reason for objecting to extended media coverage of the witness's testimony.

3. I object to extended media coverage of my testimony for the following reason:

WARNING

Applies to

Family court forms

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions for the type of case you are filing entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions for the type of case you are filing entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Dissolution petition no children forms

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Petition

The court may entertain a petition for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction when it is accompanied by an affidavit showing a factual basis for relief.

b. The court may entertain a petition for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, accompanied by affidavit, showing a factual basis for relief as provided in 750 ILCS 5/501 (a) (2).

INFO

Applies to

Mediator application

Any person seeking to become a mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or in Sangamon, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Mediators are met.

Any person seeking to become a mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or in Sangamon, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Mediators are met.