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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extended media coverage request form

The request form requires the requester to state that proper notice was given to the court media liaison, counsel of record, and unrepresented parties.

4. Proper notice has been given to the court media liaison, all counsel of record, and parties appearing without counsel.

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

Witness list

The parties must file a hearing-attendee list with names and 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

Motion

If the attorneys do not agree to a witness appearing by video, the party calling the witness must file a motion at least 14 days before the hearing or trial.

If there is no agreement among the attorneys for a witness to appear by video, it is the responsibility of the litigant or attorney calling the witness to file a motion to allow the video appearance of a witness(es) at least 14 days in advance of the hearing/trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Professional liability insurance evidence

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

ii. 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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Guardian ad litem appointment application

Attorneys seeking appointment as a guardian ad litem must apply in writing to the appropriate judge.

WHEREAS, Attorneys seeking appointment as a guardian ad litem in matters involving allocation of parental responsibilities shall apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of each county or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A party objecting to discovery, seeking to enforce compliance, or challenging the sufficiency of a response must attach and file all relevant discovery with the motion.

Whenever any party has objection to any requests, or seeks to enforce compliance with any request or otherwise addresses a motion to the sufficiency of a response, they shall attach to their motion and file with the Circuit Clerk, a copy of all relevant discovery in order that the court may properly consider the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Status report

The parties’ mediation participation must be certified through status reports submitted to the court no less than 30 days after the initial case management conference.

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

Initial case management conference

At the initial case management conference, 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

Discovery request service certification

Must include

certificate of service

The certification of service for a discovery request must be filed with the circuit court clerk.

Certification shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

In the specified proceedings, parties must file an affidavit disclosing 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

Joint parental responsibility allocation order

Joint parental responsibility allocation orders must include the specified decision-making, parenting-time, access, notice, communication, and other provisions, subject to the stated exceptions.

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

Extended media coverage notice

The notice must identify the case and proceeding, describe the requested coverage, list the notified recipients and their names, and provide the media 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

Provisional order

In qualifying cases, the provisional order must state the agreed terms that received a positive finding and identify issues without an agreement or positive finding.

In cases in which agreement has been reached on all or some qualifying issues and the mediating judge has found that agreement on at least one such issue could reasonably be in the best interest of the child or children, the mediating judge shall, within 21 days after conclusion of a mediation, enter and file in the pending case a provisional order which shall contain the agreed terms and conditions with which the mediating judge has made positive finding and shall also specify issues as to which agreement was either not reached or was not the subject of positive finding by the mediating judge.

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

Destruction completion certificate

Within 14 days after the order, the Sheriff and Clerk must certify to the court that contraband destruction is complete, using Appendices 1 and 2 as directed for the Clerk.

Within 14 days the Sheriff and Clerk shall certify to the court that the destruction has been completed. Appendix 1 and 2 of this Administrative Order shall be used by the Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

In self-represented cases, financial affidavits must be filed before the case may be referred for judicial mediation.

after filing of financial affidavits

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery request service certification

Must include

certificate of service

Proof of service for a discovery request must be made by counsel’s certification briefly describing the request and accompanied by proof of service on the directed party.

Proof of service of any request for discovery shall be made by certification of counsel briefly describing the request made, together with proof of service on the party to whom they were directed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dissolution case

Parties with adult children must use the forms 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

Circuit program rules

Before establishing a mediation program, the Chief Judge must submit the program’s operating rules to the Supreme Court for review and approval.

Prior to the establishment of such a program, the Chief Judge of the circuit shall submit to the Supreme Court for its review and approval, through its Administrative Office, rules governing the operation of the circuit's program.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre mediation questionnaire

The parties must complete a pre-mediation questionnaire in a form approved by the Chief Judge before referral for judicial mediation.

after completion by the parties of a pre-mediation questionnaire the form of which shall be approved by the Chief Judge

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery request

A discovery request to a mental-health-services provider requires leave of court and an attached written order, and must be returnable 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

Discovery objection or motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A discovery objection or motion to enforce compliance must be filed with a certificate describing the unsuccessful consultation and resolution efforts or the stated circumstances involving opposing counsel.

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

Attorney appearance

An attorney must file a written appearance or other pleading before addressing the court, except when presenting a motion for leave to appear by intervention or otherwise.

An attorney shall file their written appearance or other pleading before they address the court unless they are presenting a motion for leave to appear by intervention or otherwise.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan

If the parents agree, they must provide the court with an agreed parental-responsibilities order and 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

Extended media coverage notice

The request notice must be written and filed with 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

Continuing education attendance verification

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

II. Continuing Education: 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

Court approved report form

After mediation is completed or terminated, the mediator must submit the court-approved report form to the court and the attorneys.

The mediator shall submit the court approved report form to the court and to the attorneys following the completion/termination of mediation.

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

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 and for forwarding that form to the mediator(s) selected.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Report of fees

State's Attorneys must report the payment and collection of fees, fines, forfeitures, and penalties at times set by court rule and satisfy the court that collected funds were paid to the county treasurer.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that pursuant to 55 Illinois Compiled Statutes, 5/4-2006, all State's Attorneys have a duty to report to the Circuit Court, at such times as the court shall determine by rule, the payment and collection of all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties and to satisfy the court that said monies collected have been paid over to the county treasurer, as required by 5/4-2005, ILCS;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

A party objecting to a remote hearing or its platform must promptly file a written objection and notice it for hearing before the remote hearing.

If any party objects to conducting the noticed hearing remotely or to the platform designated, that party, as soon as practicable, shall file the party's objection in writing and notice the objection for hearing before the noticed remote hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judicial mediation order

A referral for judicial mediation must be made by entry of a Judicial Mediation Order in the form provided by the Chief Judge.

refer that case for judicial mediation by entry of a Judicial Mediation Order in form to be provided by the Chief Judge

WARNING

Applies to

Memorandum of understanding

When the participants reach an informal agreement through mediation, the mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding for their review.

Upon the reaching of an informal agreement through the mediation process, the mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding for review by the participants.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Application

The Chief Judge or designee may require applicants to provide biographical or other relevant information to assess their qualifications.

The Chief Judge or his/her designee in his/her discretion may require any biographical or other relevant information from an applicant in order to determine the applicant's qualifications for inclusion on the list.

WARNING

Applies to

State supreme court family law forms

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions for the type of case you are filing entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions for the type of case you are filing entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Mediator application

Any person seeking to become a mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or in Sangamon, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Mediators are met.

Any person seeking to become a mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or in Sangamon, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Mediators are met.

WARNING

Applies to

Advance notice of coverage

A variance request must be included in the advance notice of coverage, unless all counsel and parties consent to the judge allowing a variance without advance application or notice.

- (h) Upon application of the media, the judge may permit the use of equipment or techniques at variance with the provisions in this policy, provided the variance request is included in the advance notice of coverage provided for in subsection 1.3(b). Objections, if any, shall be made as provided in subsection 1.3(c). Ruling upon a variance application shall be at the sole discretion of the judge. Variances may be allowed by the judge without advance application or notice if all counsel and parties consent to it.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Judgment

Must include

judge name

The judgment form instructs that the judge’s name be printed on it.

(PLEASE PRINT JUDGE'S NAME HERE)

WARNING

Applies to

News media request

The request form requires 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.

WARNING

Applies to

Petition for temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction

The court may entertain a petition for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction when it is accompanied by an affidavit showing a factual basis for relief.

The court may entertain a petition for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, accompanied by affidavit, showing a factual basis for relief as provided in 750 ILCS 5/501 (a) (2).

WARNING

Applies to

Mediator application

Any person seeking to become a court approved mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Matrimonial and Family Dispute Mediators are met.

Any person seeking to become a court approved mediator should apply in writing to the Presiding Judge of that County or, for Sangamon County, Chief of the Family Division. The applicant should set forth his/her background and experience in mediation and should show that the Minimum Qualifications of Matrimonial and Family Dispute Mediators are met.

WARNING

Applies to

Formal agreement

The attorneys will review the memorandum, give advice and opinions, and draft a formal agreement to submit to the court.

The attorneys will review the memorandum, give advice and opinions, and draft a formal agreement to submit to the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Written request for approved attorney list

A written request is required to obtain the county-maintained list of approved guardian ad litem attorneys.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that a list of approved attorneys to appoint as a guardian ad litem before courts of the Seventh Judicial Circuit shall be maintained by individual counties and made available by request in writing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Continuing education completion evidence

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

WARNING

Applies to

Financial affidavit

A party presenting an affidavit under this rule must seasonably update it.

The party presenting an affidavit pursuant to this rule is under an affirmative duty to seasonably update the affidavit.

WARNING

Applies to

Dissolution petition no children forms

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Select the appropriate section and begin by reading the instructions entitled Getting Started and How to forms. Thereafter, select the appropriate forms, complete and file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Self represented motion

The court will strike a self-represented motion filed by a party represented by counsel, except a motion concerning alleged deficiencies in that attorney’s representation.

Any self-represented motion filed by a party who is represented by counsel, except one that relates to alleged deficiencies in his/her attorney’s representation, shall be stricken by the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Application

Applicants must supply supporting documentation for approval as a private mediator.

The Seventh Judicial Circuit shall promulgate a list of private mediators who have been approved by the Chief Judge after supplying supporting documentation and meeting the following requirements:

WARNING

Applies to

Written objection

Any party that objects to extended media coverage should file a written objection, stating the reasons, within 3 days of receiving notice of the request.

Any party that objects to extended media coverage should file a written objection, stating the reasons, within 3 days of receiving notice of the request.