14th Judicial Circuit Court, Mercer County, Illinois Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

If the parties do not agree on a mediator within 14 days, the responsible attorney must notify the Court within seven days after that period expires.

If the parties cannot agree on a mediator within 14 days of this Order of Referral, the responsible attorney shall notify the Court within seven days of the expiration of the 14-day period, and the Court shall appoint a certified mediator selected by rotation.

CRITICAL

The mediator must immediately notify the court in writing if mediation is suspended or terminated, or if either party fails to comply with this Part.

The mediator shall immediately advise the court in writing if he or she suspends or terminates mediation or in the event that either or both parties fail to comply with the terms of this Part.

CRITICAL

Requests to inspect the information must be made in person at the clerk’s office.

Requests for inspection must be made in person at the office of the clerk of court.

CRITICAL

A party requesting a telephonic hearing must reserve the conference time with the Court’s approval.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 185, any party requesting that a hearing on a motion or other matter be held by telephonic conference, shall schedule the conference call by reserving the time with the approval of the Court.

CRITICAL

Attorneys must immediately notify the scheduling clerk.

shall immediately notify the scheduling clerk

CRITICAL

Before scheduling a hearing, the requesting party must consult with any pro se party or attorney of record.

No hearing shall be scheduled without prior consultation with any pro se party or attorneys of record.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

The party scheduling the call must initiate and pay for it unless the parties agree otherwise or the Court orders otherwise.

The party scheduling same shall serve and file a notice of hearing as on other matters before the Court, unless notice is waived by the parties, and that party shall initiate and pay for the call unless otherwise agreed between the parties or ordered by the Court.

CRITICAL

If the case settles before a scheduled pre-trial conference, attorneys and unrepresented litigants must promptly notify the pretrial judge and do so before the conference.

In the event of settlement prior to a scheduled pre-trial conference, the attorneys for the parties and each individual litigant not represented by an attorney shall notify the pretrial judge promptly, but, in any event, prior to the scheduled conference.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phone

(309) 558-3260

To schedule a contested or complex uncontested hearing, parties must contact Court Administration at (309) 558-3260, with all attorneys or self-represented litigants on the telephone or present in person before approaching the office.

Parties shall contact Court Administration (309) 558-3260 to schedule all contested hearings and/or uncontested hearings that involve complex legal issues or a record that exceeds what is appropriate for a Walk-In Hearing (e.g., anything beyond what is required for prove up of an uncontested dissolution of marriage). All attorneys or self-represented litigants must be on the telephone and/or in person prior to approaching Court Administration to schedule a hearing.

CRITICAL

Attorneys must immediately notify the scheduling clerk and promptly reschedule a cancelled hearing; failure to notify may justify sanctions in appropriate cases.

shall immediately notify the scheduling clerk and shall reschedule the hearing at once. A failure to notify shall, in appropriate cases, justify imposition of sanctions upon the offending party or attorneys.

CRITICALCivil cases

If the original will was lodged before the probate petition is filed, the filer must inform the circuit clerk.

If the original will has been lodged prior to the filing of the petition for probate of the will, the filer shall inform the circuit clerk.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

When each party has counsel, an attorney must give opposing counsel advance telephone notice as soon as practicable before participating in obtaining an ex parte order of protection.

In cases where each party has an attorney of record, no attorney shall participate, directly or indirectly, in obtaining an Ex Parte Order of Protection without providing advance telephone notice to opposing counsel as soon as practicable.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

When calling to schedule with a listed judge, all attorneys or their scheduling representatives must be on the line before contacting the office.

When calling to schedule with any judge listed above, please ensure that all attorneys or their scheduling representatives are on the line before contacting our office.

CRITICAL

Scheduling for civil and criminal matters must be coordinated through the Court Administrator's Office.

All scheduling for Civil and Criminal matters must be coordinated through the Court Administrator's Office, located on the 3rd floor (Suite 304) of the Rock Island County Courthouse.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

If a scheduling call is not answered immediately, hang up and try again shortly.

Due to the high volume of calls, if your call is not answered immediately, we are likely assisting other attorneys. Please hang up and try again shortly.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Telephone calls to a judge about a case are governed by Supreme Court Rule 63A.

Telephone calls to a judge on a case shall be governed by Supreme Court Rule 63A.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Phone

(309) 558-3260

Parties who believe a case requires a more substantive proceeding should contact Court Administration at (309) 558-3260 to specially set a Case Management Conference.

If the parties to a case believe it requires a more substantive proceeding, they should contact Court Administration at (309) 558-3260 to specially set a Case Management Conference.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Telephone calls to a judge concerning a case are governed by Supreme Court Rule 63A.

Telephone calls to a judge on a case shall be governed by Supreme Court Rule 63A.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

When each party has counsel, an attorney must first make reasonable efforts to arrange a mutually convenient hearing date with opposing counsel; a call without a response within 48 hours satisfies that effort.

In cases where each party has an attorney of record, no attorney shall set a hearing without first making reasonable attempts to schedule a mutually convenient date with opposing counsel. Reasonable attempts shall be deemed made if a telephone call is placed to opposing counsel and no response is received within 48 hours.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

Phone

(309) 558-3260

To set a foreclosure hearing on the Wednesday 2:00 p.m. call, attorneys and self-represented litigants must contact Court Administration by phone.

Foreclosure cases are heard every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. To set a hearing on that call attorneys and self-represented litigants shall contact Court Administration at (309) 558-3260.

INFO

Scheduling hours are 8 am to 4 pm, and the office closes at 4:30 pm.

Scheduling hours are from 8 am to 4 pm in the Chief Judges Office. The office closes at 4:30 pm.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

309-558-3255, 309-558-3274, 309-558-3289, 309-558-3258, 309-558-3260

The listed phone numbers are provided for scheduling.

For scheduling: 309-558-3255, 309-558-3274, 309-558-3289, 309-558-3258, 309-558-3260