15th Judicial Circuit Court, Lee County, Illinois Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

CRITICAL

Unless the Court specifically excuses them, parties’ representatives who can meaningfully negotiate and bind the party to a settlement must attend the settlement conference.

Unless specifically excused by the Court, the attendance of parties with the ability to meaningfully negotiate toward a settlement agreement on behalf of a party and, if successful, to bind that party to an enforceable settlement agreement is required.

CRITICAL

A supporting brief must accompany a dispositive motion; an opposition is due within 28 days unless otherwise ordered, and a reply is permitted only at the Court’s discretion and is due when the Court directs.

Briefs in support of dispositive motions shall be filed with the motion. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, responsive briefs in opposition to dispositive motions shall be filed no later than 28 days after the dispositive motion is filed. Replies to responsive briefs may be allowed in the discretion of the Court and, if allowed, shall be filed within the time allowed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Unless the Court orders otherwise, opposition briefs to dispositive motions must be filed within 28 days after the motion is filed.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, responsive briefs in opposition to dispositive motions shall be filed no later than 28 days after the dispositive motion is filed.

WARNING

The Court may order trial attorneys, parties, and/or a defendant’s insurer representative to attend a settlement conference in person or by telephone or video conference.

The Court may order the trial attorneys, the parties, and/or a representative of a defendant’s insurer to attend the settlement conference, in person or by telephone or video conference.

WARNING

The Court may allow replies to responsive briefs, and any permitted reply must be filed within the time set by the Court.

Replies to responsive briefs may be allowed in the discretion of the Court and, if allowed, shall be filed within the time allowed by the Court.

INFO

At the Court’s discretion, it may decide a motion on submitted briefs without oral argument or a hearing.

At the discretion of the Court, a motion may be taken by the Court by submission only, with each party submitting briefs and the Court ruling without oral argument or hearing.

INFO

A settlement conference with the Court is recommended within 30 days after discovery is completed in a civil case.

Within 30 days of discovery being completed in a civil case, it is recommended that a settlement conference be conducted with the Court to explore the possibility of settlement and to determine if the issues can be narrowed.