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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request form asks the filer to indicate whether the request is filed at least fourteen in advance or, if filed less than fourteen in advance, to provide a reason.

- 4. This request for extended media coverage is filed: _____ at least fourteen (14) in advance of the proceeding identified above; or _____ less than fourteen (14) in advance of the proceeding identified above because: _____ _____

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Appeal of removal decision

A removed attorney may appeal the removal decision in writing to the Chief Judge.

A removed guardian ad litem, child representative, or attorney for children may appeal the decision in writing within ten (10) days to the Chief Judge who shall decide the appeal after allowing the individual an opportunity to be heard.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial case management order

The parties must submit a completed initial case management order covering the listed minimum subjects.

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

Entry of appearance

A self-represented litigant must file an entry of appearance, which is 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

Mediation referral form

The moving party’s attorney, or the Judge when both parties are self-represented, must complete and forward the Mediation Referral form to the selected mediator or mediators.

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

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Guardian ad litem report

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

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for dissolution with children

A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union with Children must comply with 750 ILCS 5/403.

The contents of the form Petition for Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union-with Children shall comply with the provisions of 750 ILCS 5/403.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan

If the parents agree, they must provide the court with an agreed order regarding parental responsibilities 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 status report

Status reports must certify participation in mediation.

The court shall monitor each party’s participation in mediation through the use of status reports to certify participation, which status reports are to be submitted to the court no less than 30 days after the initial case management conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family mediation referral form

The moving party’s attorney, or the judge when both parties are self-represented, must complete the Mediation Referral form and forward it to the selected mediator or mediators.

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

Mediator report

If mediation ends without an agreement, the mediator must report the unsuccessful termination to the court without explaining its basis.

In the event the mediation is terminated without reaching an agreement, the mediator shall report to the court that the mediation was terminated unsuccessfully, without explanation as to the basis for the termination.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing notice

The hearing notice must state the hearing’s date, time, and subject matter; indicate it is remote; provide platform login information and technical-contact information; and attach any order allowing remote appearances.

In addition to the date, time, and subject matter of the hearing, said Notice shall also specify: - a. that the hearing is to be conducted remotely; - b. the specific zoom/platform log-in information (ID and passcode); - c. contact information, including e-mails and telephone numbers, should the other participants have technical difficulties; - d. if an Order has been entered allowing the parties to appear remotely, then said Order shall also be attached to the Notice; and

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

A party objecting to expanded media coverage must file a written objection stating the reasons at least three days before the proceeding begins.

A party objecting to expanded media coverage shall file a written objection, stating the reasons, at least three (3) days before commencement of the proceeding.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness list

The parties must file a list of attending attorneys, parties, and witnesses with their e-mail addresses at least three days before the hearing.

At least three (3) days prior to a hearing, the parties shall file a list containing names and e-mail addresses of the attorneys, parties, and witnesses (if any) who will attend the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation engagement agreement

Before mediation begins, the mediator and parties must execute a written engagement agreement addressing compensation, scope, anticipated duration, and the mediator’s responsibilities for drafting a memorandum of understanding if mediation succeeds.

Prior to the commencement of mediation, the mediator and the parties shall execute a written engagement agreement which shall include, at a minimum, the terms of compensation for the mediator; the anticipated scope of the mediation; the anticipated duration of the mediation; and the scope of the mediator’s responsibilities to draft a memorandum of understanding if mediation is successful.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation cost application

Each application for a determination of ability to contribute to mediation costs must include a financial affidavit consistent with the affidavit described in section 3.

Each application shall be accompanied by a financial affidavit, in a form consistent with the financial affidavit set forth in section 3 hereinabove.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons or petition

Every summons or petition must state whether the appearance is in person or on Zoom and include the appropriate Notice of Rights.

In every summons or petition, the State's Attorney shall provide notice of whether the appearance is in-person or on Zoom and shall provide the appropriate Notice of Rights.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instruction

When news media is present during 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

Child support data sheet

A party filing an action that may result in child support must file the Clerk-provided child support data sheet at the time of filing.

At the time of the filing of any action that may result in the payment of child support, the party filing the action is required to file a child support data sheet with the Clerk, in a form as provided by the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

In the specified proceedings, the parties must file an affidavit showing at least current income, debts, assets, and liabilities by the initial case management conference, unless good cause is shown.

In all proceedings involving petitions for attorney's fees, court costs, maintenance, support and/or children and modification of any previous orders relating thereto, an affidavit of the parties showing, at a minimum, current income and debts, assets and liabilities shall be filed with the clerk at or before the initial case management conference, except for good cause shown.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator report

If the mediator determines that an impediment to mediation exists, the mediator must report the determination to the court without explanation, and the determination presumptively establishes the impediment.

In the event the mediator determines that there is an impediment to mediation, the mediator shall report his or her determination to the court without explanation for the determination. A determination by the mediator of an impediment to mediation presumptively establishes that such an impediment exists.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

When a motion is heard without prior notice, the resulting hearing notice must identify the action, judge, hearing date, and whether the order was granted or denied.

If a motion is heard without prior notice under this rule, written notice of the hearing of the motion showing the title and number of the action, the name of the judge who heard the motion, date of the hearing, and the order of the court thereof, whether granted or denied, shall be served by the party obtaining the order upon all parties not theretofore found by the court to be in default for failure to plead and proof of service thereof shall be filed with the clerk within two (2) days after the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice

The request notice must be written and filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Notice of the request shall be in writing and filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Uniform order of support

The judge must enter a fully completed Uniform Order of Support whenever a child or spousal support obligation is created or modified.

Judges of this Circuit shall enter a fully completed Uniform Order of Support, in each case in which a child support or spousal obligation is created or modified, and

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Continuing education attendance verification

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

Each attorney shall attend continuing legal education courses consisting of at least ten (10) hours every two (2) years and 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request form calls for identifying counsel of record, parties appearing without counsel, and the court media liaison who received notice.

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice

The notice must identify the case and proceeding, describe the requested coverage, state whom notice is being provided to, and provide the coordinator’s contact and employer information.

The notice shall contain: - a. The title and docket number of the case, and the date and time, if available, of the proceeding. - b. The type of extended media coverage requested with a description (e.g. the number of television cameras, still photographers). - c. A statement that appropriate notice is being provided to all counsel of record, parties appearing without counsel, the appropriate court media liaison, the trial court administrator and the judge, along with the names of each. - d. The name, address and telephone number of the media coordinator making the request, and the media coordinator's employer.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Inmate poor person petition

An inmate seeking leave to sue or defend as a poor person must attach a trust fund ledger showing all deposits and withdrawals for the six months immediately before submitting the petition.

In all family cases in this circuit in which leave is sought by an inmate of a correctional institution to sue or defend as a poor person, the petition for leave to sue or defend as a poor person shall be accompanied by a copy of the inmate's trust fund ledger indicating all deposits and withdrawals made to the inmate's trust fund account for the six months immediately preceding the submission of the petition.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Judgment sentence to illinois department of corrections

The attached Judgment – Sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections order must be entered in cases where the defendant is sentenced to IDOC confinement for specified terms.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that the attached Judgment – Sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections orders shall be entered in all cases that involve a defendant who has been sentenced to confinement in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the term of years and months specified for each offense.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice

When applicable, the Notice must include the individual judge’s remote-hearing instructions and expectations.

- e. when applicable, the individual judge's set of instructions/expectations for remote hearings must be attached to the Notice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuing education completion evidence

Approved mediators must complete 10 hours of approved continuing education every two years, including two hours on domestic violence, and provide evidence of completion to the Chief/Presiding Judge every two years.

Approved mediators are required to complete ten (10) hours of circuit-approved continuing education every two (2) years of which two (2) hours must cover domestic violence issues and provide evidence of completion to the Chief/Presiding Judge every two (2) years.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Formal mediated agreement

When participants have not obtained independent counsel, the court must be advised when the mediated agreement is presented for approval.

If independent legal counsel is not obtained the court must be so advised when the mediated agreement is presented for approval.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice

In the stated circumstances, the Notice must explain the opposing party’s in-person and remote 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dissolution forms

Parties with adult children must use the forms appropriate for a dissolution of marriage with children.

Parties with adult children shall use the forms appropriate with a dissolution of marriage with children.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting education compliance

Parents must show proof of completing an approved parenting education program, provide a fixed compliance schedule, or show cause to excuse compliance.

The parents shall show proof of completion of an approved parenting education program as required by Supreme Court Rule 924, provide a fixed schedule for compliance, or show cause to excuse compliance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of motion

A notice of motion must state whether the appearance is in person or by Zoom; if it is noticed for Zoom, it must include the specified Zoom-attendance language and available meeting information.

Notices of Motions. Notices of motions shall contain language indicating whether the appearance is in-person or over Zoom pursuant to the court's standing orders or adopted remote hearing instructions. If noticed for Zoom, the notice shall contain language "Parties shall attend the presentment of this motion remotely on Zoom" and shall provide the Meeting ID, Password, call in information or link to the meeting, if the Zoom link information is known.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Evidence of completion

Approved mediators must provide evidence of continuing-education completion to the Chief/Presiding Judge.

III. Continuing Education: Approved mediators are required to complete ten (10) hours of circuit approved continuing education every two (2) years of which two (2) hours must cover domestic violence issues and provide evidence of completion to the Chief/Presiding Judge every two (2) years.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint parental responsibility allocation order

Joint parental responsibility allocation orders must include the listed provisions, subject to the stated exceptions and qualifications.

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

Family mediation referral form

The parties must send the family mediation referral form to the mediator within three days after entry of the Order for Mediation.

The parties shall send a family mediation referral form to the mediator in all cases within three (3) days of the entry of the Order for Mediation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery request

A discovery request to a mental health services provider requires leave of court, an attached written order, and return 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

Notice of remote hearing

If the Court agrees to hear the matter remotely, notice must be provided as required by subparagraph B.

If the Court agrees to hear the matter remotely, notice of the remote hearing shall be provided as set forth in subparagraph B above.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery objection or enforcement motion

Must include

certificate of conference

Before filing a discovery objection or motion to enforce compliance, the filing party must submit a certificate describing the unsuccessful consultation efforts or opposing counsel's unavailability or unreasonable conduct.

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

Appointment application

Attorneys seeking appointment must apply in writing to the designated judge and should state their qualifications.

Attorneys seeking appointment in parental responsibility allocation and parenting time shall apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of each county or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her qualifications as set forth above.

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

Continuing legal education verification

To remain on the approved list, an attorney must submit verification of continuing-education attendance to the designated office at the time of attendance or upon request.

To remain on the approved list, each attorney shall attend continuing legal education courses consisting of at least ten (10) hours every two year period and 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery compliance certification

Counsel must file a compliance certification with the Circuit Clerk describing the documents provided by reference to the discovery request.

Proof of compliance with requests for discovery in all family matters (including interrogatories and requests for production) shall be made by filing with the Circuit Clerk the certification of counsel showing that compliance has been accomplished. The certification shall include a description of the documents filed with reference to the request made.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Insurance evidence

When the parties do not agree to submit to these rules, court-approved mediators must maintain professional liability insurance and provide evidence of it to the Chief Judge annually.

In those instances in which the parties do not agree to submit themselves to these rules, court-approved mediators must secure and maintain professional liability insurance which covers the mediation process and provide evidence of insurance to the Chief Judge annually.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

Must include

certificate of service

The party's objection must include proof showing service on the listed court officials, parties, counsel, and media coordinator.

I have attached a proof of service showing a copy of this objection upon the Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, the Presiding Judge, Trial Court Administrator, all counsel of record, parties appearing without counsel and the media coordinator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request

The request form calls for the Media Coordinator to state that they will abide by the applicable extended-media-coverage policy and local rule.

- 6. I will abide by all the provisions of the Policy for Extended Media Coverage in Circuit Courts of Illinois and the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Local Rule on Extended Media Coverage as Amended Circuit Administrative Order 24-29.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion and affidavit

A motion and affidavit seeking to vacate a provisional order must assert evidentiary facts showing either a misunderstanding of substantial practical or legal implications or grounds for rescission under Illinois law.

upon the basis of motion and affidavit filed by a mediating party within 21 days after the Clerk’s transmittal of such provisional order and asserting evidentiary facts indicating that (1) the affiant misunderstood substantial practical or legal implications of the agreement forming the basis of such order or (2) there exists as to the agreement underlying the provisional order grounds recognized under Illinois law for rescission of a contract.