14th Judicial Circuit Court, Mercer County, Illinois Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

If the Clerk’s office is open, a complaint or petition seeking the specified ex parte relief must be filed there before applying to a judge for the order.

Every complaint or petition upon which it is sought to obtain ex parte, an order for the appointment of a receiver or a temporary restraining order, for a preliminary injunction, for an order of protection, or for an order of ne exeat republica shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk if that office is open before application to a judge for the order.

WARNING

A civil case with no action taken or attempted for trial or disposition during the preceding year may be dismissed for want of prosecution.

All civil cases and supplemental proceeding pending in civil cases, in or upon which no action has been taken or not attempt made for trial or disposition during the preceding year may be dismissed for want of prosecution and summarily stricken from the docket.

WARNING

The Clerk’s offices are open during specified hours on days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, subject to changes ordered by the Chief Judge or extensions by the Clerk of Court.

Except as otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, the office of the Clerks and Associate Clerks of this Court shall be open each day, except Saturday, Sundays and legal holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Rock Island County, and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Mercer and Henry counties, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Whiteside County, unless otherwise extended by the Clerk of Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

The mediator must file the case statistical reports with the Court Administrator at least quarterly.

The mediator shall prepare a statistical report for each case on the prescribed form and file them at least quarterly with the Court Administrator. (See Form 9(m)8(G)(ii).)

CRITICAL

The prevailing party’s attorney must present the written draft order to the Court within ten court days, unless the Court directs otherwise.

In all court proceedings in which an order is to be submitted, the attorney for the prevailing party shall prepare and within ten (10) court days present to the Court a written draft of the order, unless the Court directs otherwise.

CRITICAL

An attorney of record or unrepresented party may schedule a written motion to remove the case from the strike list for hearing on or before the strike day.

On or before the strike day, any attorney of record or party not represented by an attorney may schedule for hearing before the judge who is designated in the "strike list" notice, or that judge's designee, a written motion to remove the case from the strike list.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

2 court days

The petitioner must complete and file the required documents at least two court days before the hearing.

Petitioner shall complete and file the document(s) no later than two court days prior to the hearing date, then on the same day hand deliver a file stamped paper courtesy copy to the judge and to respondent via email, facsimile or hand delivery.

CRITICALCivil cases

The completed and signed Guardian Information Sheet must be filed at the same time as the Petition for Guardianship.

The completed and signed Guardian Information Sheet shall be filed at the same time as the filing of the Petition for Guardianship.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation summary

Each side must present the mediator with a brief written case summary at least ten days before the conference.

At least ten (10) days before the conference, each side shall present to the mediator a brief, written summary of the case containing a list of issues as to each party.

CRITICAL

The hearing on those motions must be set at least 60 days before trial.

The date for hearing of such motion shall be set for a date not less than 60 days prior to the date of trial.

CRITICAL

The movant must set the motion to defer mediation for hearing before the scheduled mediation date.

The movant shall set the motion to defer the mediation proceeding prior to the scheduled date for mediation.

CRITICAL

The respondent may file a written answer no later than three days before the hearing.

No later than three (3) days prior to the hearing, the respondent may file a written answer denying, with specificity, any of the allegations together with any affirmative defense.

CRITICAL

Parties must file their Rule 222 initial disclosures within 14 days of the first return court appearance unless the court orders otherwise.

All parties shall comply with the provisions of Supreme Court Rule 222. However, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the parties shall file with the court their initial disclosure under Supreme Court Rule 222 within fourteen (14) days of the first return court appearance date.

CRITICALCivil cases

The receiver must file a detailed report and inventory with the Court no later than 30 days after appointment.

No later than 30 days after his appointment, the receiver shall file with the Court a detailed report and inventory of all property, real or personal, of the estate and designating the property within his possession or control.

CRITICAL

If the parties cannot agree on a mediator within 14 days of referral, the plaintiff's attorney or an attorney agreed upon by all attorneys must notify the court within the next seven days, after which the court appoints a certified mediator.

If the parties cannot agree upon a mediator within fourteen (14) days of the Order of Referral, the plaintiff's attorney (or another attorney agreed upon by all attorneys) shall so notify the court within the next seven (7) days, and the court shall appoint a certified mediator selected by rotation or by such other procedures as may be adopted by administrative order of the chief judge in the circuit in which the action is pending.

CRITICAL

Unless the court orders otherwise, the first mediation conference must be held within eight weeks of the referral order.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the first mediation conference shall be held within eight (8) weeks of the Order of Referral.

CRITICAL

Unless the Court orders otherwise, the specified summary-judgment and involuntary-dismissal motions must be filed no later than 90 days before trial.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, and pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 191, motions for summary judgment under section 2-1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure and motions for involuntary dismissal under section 2-619 of the Code of Civil Procedure must be filed not later than 90 days before the trial date.

CRITICALCivil cases

The joint pre-trial memorandum must be submitted before the contested second-half hearing.

Before a contested second half hearing on a petition for dissolution of marriage, legal separation or declaration of invalidity can be heard, the parties and their respective attorneys shall submit their joint pre-trial memorandum as set forth in the Appendix of Forms of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit as Form 9(d) 1 (as the same may from time to time be amended).

CRITICALCivil cases

A substitution-for-cause application must be filed as soon as possible after the cause occurs and no later than 21 days after the party or counsel first learns of the alleged cause.

For Cause: A verified application for a substitution for cause shall be filed as soon as possible after cause occurs and, in any event, no later than 21 days after the party or counsel first learns of the alleged cause.

CRITICALCivil cases

The court must enter a mediation referral order no later than 90 days after service of the petition on the respondent.

The court shall enter a referral order to mediation no later than 90 days after the petition has been served upon the respondent.

CRITICALCivil cases

The mediator’s report must be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk within fourteen days after the last day of the mediation conference.

This report shall be signed by the mediator and shall be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk within fourteen (14) days after the last day of mediation conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

The mediator must report the signed or transcribed agreement to the court without comment within ten days.

The mediator shall report the existence of the signed or transcribed agreement to the court without comment within ten (10) days thereof.

CRITICAL

The child custody affidavit must be on file before the specified order is entered.

(a) Filing of Child Custody Affidavits: In any proceeding wherein a custody of allocation of parental responsibilities determination is to be made by the Court or wherein the Court is asked to approve an agreed stipulation for modification of a previous custody or allocation of parental responsibilities determination, there shall be on file prior to the entry of an order affecting custody, visitation, allocation of parental responsibilities or parenting time, a child custody affidavit as required by 750 ILCS 36/209. (See Appendix of Forms of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Form 9(a) [as the same may be from time to time amended].)

CRITICALCivil cases

The mediator must give the required written notice to the court immediately.

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

Proof of service for the post-hearing notice must be filed with the Clerk within two days after the hearing.

proof of service thereon shall be filed with the clerk within two days after the hearing.

CRITICAL

All motions in limine and responses must be filed with the Court four days before the pre-trial conference.

All motions in Iimine and responses to motions in Iimine shall be filed with the Court four days prior to the pre-trial conference

CRITICALCivil cases

The decedent's original will and any codicil must be lodged with the Clerk within 30 days of death.

The original of the decedent's Last Will & Testament (and Codicil, if any) must be lodged (filed) with the Clerk of the Court within thirty (30) days of the decedent's death.

CRITICAL

The Notice of Hearing must be filed before a party approaches a judge for action, except for agreed orders and actions permitted ex parte.

A complete and accurate written Notice of Hearing must be filed and served prior to approaching a judge for action on a case, except for agreed orders and/or for actions in which the law permits ex parte action.

CRITICALCivil cases

Letters of Office may not issue before the Guardian Information Sheet has been filed.

No Letters of Office shall issue until the Guardian Information Sheet has been filed.

CRITICAL

The receiver must file a final report when the receivership terminates.

a final report shall be filed upon the termination of the receivership.

CRITICAL

The mediation information must be furnished to the Supreme Court once a year, unless another interval is directed.

The Court Administrator or his/her designee shall provide for the maintenance of records of mediations conducted pursuant to these rules. The information shall include the number of mediations conducted, the number of mediations resulting in an agreement and those resulting in no agreement. Such information shall be furnished to the Supreme Court through its administrative office once a year or at such other interval as may be directed.

CRITICALCivil cases

The mediator must notify the parties in writing of the mediation conference date and time within 28 days after the Order of Referral.

Within twenty-eight (28) days after the Order of Referral, the mediator shall notify the parties in writing of the date and time of the mediation conference.

CRITICAL

Proof of service of the post-hearing notice must be filed with the clerk within two days after the hearing.

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 judge who heard the motion, date of the hearing, and the order of the Court thereon, whether granted or denied, shall be served by the attorney obtaining the order upon all parties not theretofore found by the Court to be in default for failure to plead and proof of service thereon shall be filed with the clerk within two days after the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

The receiver must file the first report with the inventory, additional reports annually, and a final report when the receivership ends; the Court may order special reports.

The receiver shall file his first report at the time of filing his inventory and additional reports annually thereafter. Special reports may be ordered by the Court and a final report shall be filed upon the termination of the receivership.

CRITICAL

Each side must present its written case summary to the mediator at least ten days before the mediation conference.

At least ten (10) days before the conference, each side shall present to the mediator a brief, written summary of the case containing a list of issues as to each party.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine and responses must be filed four days before the conference.

All motions in limine and responses to motions in limine shall be filed with the Court four days prior to the pre-trial conference, with copies served upon opposing counsel or to any party not represented by an attorney not later than seven days prior to the final pre-trial conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Annual report or account

Legal representatives of estates must file an annual report or account, first due by the first Monday of the month following one year after Letters of Office issue and then on each anniversary until the estate closes, unless the Court orders otherwise.

all legal representatives of estates in cases filed in the various courts of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, shall file an annual report or account. The first such report or account shall be due, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, by the first Monday of the month following one year from the issuance of Letters of Office. Thereafter, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, an annual report or account will be due on each anniversary or until the estate is closed.

CRITICAL

Within 30 days after appointment, the receiver must file a detailed report and inventory identifying estate property and the property in the receiver’s possession or control.

No later than 30 days after his appointment, the receiver shall file with the Court a detailed report and inventory of all property, real or personal, of the estate and designating the property within his possession or control.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

20 business days

The mediator must prepare and file the prescribed Mediator's Report within 20 business days after mediation ends.

The mediator shall prepare and file a Mediator's Report on the prescribed form within twenty (20) business days of the termination of mediation and, if the ordered mediation has not yet been terminated, every ninety (90) days from the entry of the initial Order appointing the Mediator. (See Form 9(m)8(G)(i).)

CRITICALCivil cases

If a previously filed financial affidavit becomes inaccurate, amendments must be filed promptly.

If the financial affidavit previously filed is no longer accurate, amendments shall be timely filed and served.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each mediated agreement must be presented to the court within 30 days after the final Mediator's Report is filed.

Each mediated agreement shall be presented by the parties or their attorneys (if applicable) to the court within 30 days following the filing of the final Mediator's Report.

CRITICAL

The receiver must file the first report with the inventory and file additional reports annually thereafter.

(a) Time of Filing: The receiver shall file his first report at the time of filing his inventory and additional reports annually thereafter.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party may move to dispense with mediation within 14 days after the Order of Referral on any of the listed grounds.

A party may move, within fourteen (14) days after the Order of Referral, to dispense with mediation if: - (1) the issue to be considered has been previously mediated between the same parties; - (2) the issue presents a question of law only; - (3) the order violates subparagraph 2(b) of this General Order; or - (4) other good cause is shown.

CRITICALCivil cases

The financial affidavit is due with the party’s initial pleading.

A financial affidavit shall be filed with a party’s initial pleading.

CRITICALCivil cases

The child custody affidavit must be filed before the specified order is entered.

In any proceeding wherein a custody of allocation of parental responsibilities determination is to be made by the Court or wherein the Court is asked to approve an agreed stipulation for modification of a previous custody or allocation of parental responsibilities determination, there shall be on file prior to the entry of an order affecting custody, visitation, allocation of parental responsibilities or parenting time, a child custody affidavit as required by 750 ILCS 36/209.

CRITICAL

The court must enter a mediation referral order within 90 days after service of the petition.

The court shall enter a referral order to mediation no later than 90 days after the petition has been served upon the respondent.

CRITICAL

The statement must be filed no later than the initial case management conference.

The parties shall file and exchange no later than the initial case management conference as statement addressing those factors enumerated in Supreme Court Rule 218(a) (1) through (10).

CRITICAL

Unless the Court orders otherwise, the specified summary-judgment and involuntary-dismissal motions must be filed at least 90 days before trial.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, and pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 191, motions for summary judgment under section 2-1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure and motions for involuntary dismissal under section 2-619 of the Code of Civil Procedure must be filed not later than 90 days before the trial date.

CRITICAL

The parties or their attorneys, if applicable, must present each mediated agreement to the court within 30 days after the final Mediator's Report is filed.

Each mediated agreement shall be presented by the parties or their attorneys (if applicable) to the court within 30 days following the filing of the final Mediator's Report.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 court days

Unless the Court directs otherwise, the prevailing party’s attorney must present the written draft order to the Court within ten court days.

In all court proceedings in which an order is to be submitted, the attorney for the prevailing party shall prepare and within ten (10) court days present to the Court a written draft of the order, unless the Court directs otherwise.