7th Judicial Circuit Court, Macoupin County, Illinois Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

A scheduling party who wants to use a platform other than Zoom must inform the Court and determine whether it is acceptable.

If the party scheduling the matter desires a platform other than Zoom, the party shall inform the Court and determine whether the alternative platform is acceptable to the Court.

CRITICAL

Counsel must not communicate ex parte with a court-appointed evaluator unless the court permits it.

Unless otherwise permitted by the court, neither counsel may engage in ex parte communications with a court-appointed evaluator.

CRITICAL

For an eligible or Court-approved remote hearing, the scheduling party must obtain the hearing date and time from the Court or its assistant.

If a matter is presumed to be eligible for remote hearing or the parties have agreed to a remote hearing which has been approved by the Court, the party scheduling the matter shall obtain a time and date for the hearing from the Court or Court's assistant.

CRITICAL

A party whose witness or party needs an interpreter is responsible for coordinating with the 7th Circuit Court Administrator about obtaining and involving the interpreter.

If a party or a party's witness requires the use of an interpreter, that party shall be responsible for coordinating with the 7th Circuit Court Administrator how the interpreter will be obtained and involved in the hearing;

CRITICAL

When all parties agree to a remote hearing for a matter presumed ineligible, one party must contact the Court to determine whether it will hear the matter remotely.

If a matter is presumed to be ineligible for remote hearing, but all parties have agreed to a remote hearing, one of the parties shall contact the Court to determine whether the Court will hear the matter remotely.

CRITICAL

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.

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.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

A party requesting a remote telephone appearance must give the judge's scheduling personnel a valid, working telephone number so the court can call the party.

For counties utilizing telephonic hearings, the Court may initiate the telephone contact of the party requesting the remote telephonic appearance. It is the responsibility of the party requesting the telephonic appearance to provide the Judge's scheduling personnel a valid, working telephone number for the Court to initiate the call;

INFO

Members of the public and media who want to observe a hearing should contact Court Administration for attendance directions.

Members of the public and/or media who desire to observe a hearing should contact Court Administration for directions on how to attend.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

217-753-6360

The approved mediator list can be obtained by calling the Court Administration Office at 217-753-6360.

An approved list of mediators can be obtained through the Court Administration Office at 217- 753-6360