Circuit Court of Washington County, Illinois (24th Judicial Circuit)
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Adjournments
- A request to continue a remote hearing to another date or to obtain an in-person appearance must be made by a timely filed, properly noticed motion to continue.
- An attorney's or party's poor video connection alone is not grounds to continue a remote hearing.
- The presiding or assigned judge may continue a remote hearing to another time or place for good cause, including listed conditions that disrupt the hearing or impair a party’s fair-hearing rights.
- +5 more
Request must include
Document Format Requirements9 rules
A formal request for remote appearance must be made in writing five (5) working days before the scheduled hearing with notice to the opposing party.
Each proposed exhibit shall be submitted as a separate file with a file name that reflects the party offering it and the exhibit number;
Each proposed order, fully signed agreed order, agreement, stipulation or other document shall be submitted as a separate file with a file name that reflects the party offering it and the nature of the document;
All submissions shall be submitted in PDF format;
- File type
- Remote hearing submission
The subject line for a submission email shall include the case number and the last name of at least one party;
For any exhibit or other document greater than four pages long, page numbers must be inserted electronically within the PDF (not handwritten).
- More than 4 pages
The Financial Affidavit shall be in the current form designated by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Unless otherwise ordered by the assigned Judge, argument on Motions will be done in writing to avoid unnecessary writs from penal institutions.
The mediator’s report must use the form prescribed by the Chief Judge.
Court's wording
Within fourteen (14) days after the termination of mediation for any reason, the mediator shall file with the court a report in a form prescribed by the Chief Judge as to whether or not an agreement was reached by the parties.
Document Filing Requirements44 rules
An index of exhibits, if any, shall be included that states the number of pages for each exhibit;
- Document
- Exhibit index
Must include
- •Exhibit list
The notice of hearing shall include the caption, and the date and time when the motion will be presented. The Notice shall also include a description and reference to the Motion to be presented and the relief sought.
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Must include
- •Caption
A written notice after a motion hearing without prior notice must identify the action, judge, hearing date, and whether the motion was granted or denied.
Court's wording
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 the 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 seeking the order upon all parties not theretofore found by the Court to be in default for failure to plead thereto;
The documents supplied in response to a discovery request shall not be filed with the Circuit Clerk.
When necessary to the determination of any motion, a copy of all relevant discovery materials shall be attached as an exhibit to the motion and filed with the Clerk.
A copy of the request shall not be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Counsel must file a certification describing the discovery requests and showing service on the directed party.
Court's wording
Proof of service of the request for discovery shall be made by certification of counsel briefly describing the requests made together with proof of service on the party to whom it is directed. The certification shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Counsel must file a certification of discovery compliance that describes the documents filed in response to the request.
Court's wording
Proof of compliance with a request for discovery in all civil matters shall be made by filing with the Clerk of the Court the certification of counsel showing that compliance has been made. The certification shall include a description of the documents filed with reference to the request made.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, parties in the specified family cases must file a Financial Affidavit.
Court's wording
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the parties shall file a Financial Affidavit in all family cases where there is a dispute involving allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making or parenting time), or modification of any previous orders relating thereto.
If either child custody or allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making or parenting time) is in dispute, the plaintiff will so inform the Court upon the filing of the initial pleadings, or as soon thereafter that a dispute is known to exist.
If the issue of property apportionment is in dispute, the parties shall submit a statement of proposed apportionment, which shall include an itemization of all property claimed as marital and non-marital together with an estimated fair cash market value of each item.
If the issue of apportionment of marital indebtedness is in dispute, the statement shall also include a proposed apportionment of marital indebtedness and shall include a listing of any non-marital indebtedness for which either party is currently liable.
if there are any issues in dispute, each party shall file a written statement of proposed disposition, addressing all issues (both agreed and contested)
If financial issues are agreed to be mediated, then the parties, shall, at a minimum, within five (5) days prior to mediation, submit to the mediator an updated financial affidavit, signed by the parties with all required documentation, a summary of property and debts currently in dispute with a classification of property and debt as marital or nonmarital.
There is on file a verified petition establishing that there are no children born of the marriage, that there are no pending contracts for adoption and that neither party is currently pregnant.
The Mediator Report must state the mediation outcome, session details and attendees, termination or suspension status, fee information, recommendations, relevant nonprivileged information, and whether any party lacked counsel.
Court's wording
A Mediator Report, in compliance with 710 ILCS 35/7(b) must be filed prior to the status date (if mediation has completed) and within fourteen (14) days after the last day of the mediation conference, and shall state the following: (1) Whether an agreement has been reached by the parties; (2) The number and duration of sessions conducted to date and the names of those in attendance; (3) Whether mediation has been terminated or suspended. (4) The fee charged, whether that fee has been paid in full and, if not so, the outstanding amount owed. For any outstanding amount owed, the court may direct the parties to pay said amount and establish what percentage each party will pay; (5) Whether any additional mediation sessions are recommended; (6) Other relevant information not considered privileged or confidential under these rules or the Uniform Mediation Act 710 ILCS 35/1 et seq which is adopted and incorporated herein to the extent same is not inconsistent with the procedural rules set forth in this mediation program; (7) Whether any of the parties did not have legal counsel.
Any such motion must be supported by an affidavit setting forth specific facts as to why mediation should be terminated.
Such stipulation shall be incorporated into an order of referral.
The mediator’s report must be in the form prescribed by the Chief Judge and state whether the parties reached an agreement.
Court's wording
Within fourteen (14) days after the termination of mediation for any reason, the mediator shall file with the court a report in a form prescribed by the Chief Judge as to whether or not an agreement was reached by the parties.
For a will written in a language other than English, the petitioner must file an English typewritten copy and a qualified translator’s certification with the probate petition.
Court's wording
(b) Will in Language Other than English. When a will is in a language other than English, the petitioner shall file a typewritten copy of the will in English along with the petition to probate and a certification by a qualified translator that the translation of the will is true and correct.
(c) All Other Wills. In addition to all requirements of 755 ILCS 5/6-2, a petition for the admission of a will to probate shall have attached thereto a copy of the will believed by the petitioner to be the valid last will of the testator.
When a petition for admission of a will or letters of administration is filed, heirship must be proved by either written, court-certified witness testimony filed with the clerk or an affidavit under Probate Act Section 5-3.
Court's wording
(a) Manner of Proving Heirship. When a petition for admission of a will to probate or for letters of administration is filed, proof of heirship shall be made by: (1) The testimony of a witness examined in open court, reduced to writing by the official court reporter, certified by the court and filed with the clerk; or (2) Affidavit as provided in Section 5-3 of the Probate Act.
(a) Holographic Will. When a will is handwritten, the petitioner shall file a typewritten copy of the will along with the petition to probate and an affidavit of the petitioner or his or her attorney that the typewritten copy is true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge.
(c) Affidavit Regarding Heirship. An affidavit of heirship shall include the following: (1) The date and place of death of the decedent; (2) Whether the decedent left a surviving spouse. The affidavit should also address prior marriages ending in death or divorce and the children born to or adopted by the decedent from each marriage; (3) The names of all children, if any, born or adopted by the decedent. The affidavit shall specifically state that there are no other children, born or adopted. (4) The date of death and the descendants, born or adopted, if any, of any deceased child. The affidavit shall specifically state that there are no other descendants, born or adopted. (5) If there is no spouse or descendants, born or adopted, the parents, brothers and sisters and the descendants of any deceased brother or sister, born or adopted. The affidavit shall specifically state that there are no other brothers, sisters or the descendants of any deceased brother or sister, born or adopted. (6) The manner in which the affiant is related to the decedent. If the affiant is not related to the decedent, the affidavit shall adequately establish the basis of the affiant's knowledge of the decedent's heirship. (7) An assertion of any unknown heirs or addresses which shall specifically state what diligent efforts have been made to ascertain the same. (8) The concluding section shall trace the per stirpes relationship of each heir to the decedent; for example, "A, grandson of decedent, being a son of B, predeceased daughter of decedent," or "A, nephew of decedent, being a son of B, predeceased sister of the decedent." (9) The affidavit shall state whether the decedent was ever a party to a civil union pursuant to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, or any substantially similar legal relationship recognized by any other state.
(d) Order Declaring Heirship. At the time of filing of an affidavit pursuant to Section 5-3 of the Probate Act, the representative shall submit to the Circuit Clerk a separate proposed Order Declaring Heirship which shall reflect the language contained in the concluding section of the affidavit.
A withdrawal petition must be presented in person by a listed person responsible for or related to the ward, unless the court waives personal presentation.
Court's wording
A petition to withdraw funds deposited or invested, as provided in Section 24-21 of the Illinois Probate Act, or pursuant to this rule, shall be presented in person by the parent, spouse, person standing in loco parentis, or person having the responsibility of custody of the ward, unless personal presentation is waived by the court.
When an individual is offered as security on a bond of a legal representative, the surety shall state his or her residence address below their signature,
- Document
- Bond
- Placement
- Signature block
and when requested by the court, shall furnish a verified affidavit stating that he or she owns net assets of a value which equals or exceeds the amount of the bond.
A guardian’s petition to spend estate funds must state the estate’s present value, the ward’s annual available income, the expenditure’s purpose, and all payments received by or for the ward.
Court's wording
A petition of a guardian to apply any part of the ward's estate for the support, comfort, or education of the ward or other person entitled to support from his or her estate shall state the present value of the estate, the annual income available to the ward, and the purpose of the proposed expenditure. It further shall list all payments being received by the ward or by petitioner either individually or as guardian on behalf of the ward, including Social Security payments, disability or benefit payments from the Veteran's Administration or other governmental agency or department, or other assistance from a charitable or relief organization, payment from a trust, or from one having an obligation to support the ward.
The representative’s bond must be in writing and signed by the representative, even when security is excused.
Court's wording
Regardless of whether security is excused by the will or as provided in subsection (b) of Section 12-4 of the Illinois Probate Act, the bond of the representative in the amount from time to time required under the Illinois Probate Act shall be in writing and signed by the representative.
A verified petition must be filed for covered settlements involving a minor or ward and must include the occurrence, defendant, insurance, injury, expense, and current medical-report information listed.
Court's wording
To settle a cause of action for personal injuries sustained by a minor, or ward, or any other action in which a minor or ward will receive any or all of the settlement proceeds, a verified petition shall be filed executed by the legal (1) A description of the occurrence giving rise to the cause of action. (2) The name and address of the person or entity against whom the cause of action has accrued. (3) The name and address of the liability insurance carrier, if any, affording coverage to the person or entity against whom the cause of action has accrued, and the monetary limits of the liability insurance policy issued by said insurance carrier in effect at the time of the occurrence. (4) A brief description of the injuries sustained by the minor and a list of hospital and medical expenses incurred on behalf of said minor as a result of the occurrence, and a current medical report or letter executed by the attending physician stating the nature and extent of the injuries sustained and giving the prognosis.
The hearing notice must state the hearing’s time, date, place, and nature, and include the specified or substantially similar language.
Court's wording
The notice of hearing shall contain the time, date, place and nature of the hearing and shall include the following or a substantially similar state account is approved by the judge upon hearing, in the absence of fraud, accident or mistake, the account as approved is binding upon all persons to whom this
The receipts or vouchers shall account for the total sum approved and obtained in settlement.
An order approving settlement must provide for distribution of the funds and filing signed recipient vouchers.
Court's wording
(d) Order Approving Settlement. The order entered approving settlement shall provide for the distribution of the settlement funds and the filing of vouchers signed by recipients of any portion of the settlement proceeds within a time prescribed by the court.
A citation petition presented for filing must include the proposed citation, a return date coordinated with the Clerk, and a proposed order granting the petition and directing issuance of the citation.
- Document
- Petition for citation
Must include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
Any petition for a citation as contemplated by Section 16-1 of the Illinois Probate Act that is presented to the Clerk for filing shall first be accompanied by the proposed citation as requested in the petition, with a return date that has been coordinated with the Clerk, and by a proposed order granting the petition and directing the issuance of the citation.
For annuity payments or income payable before a minor reaches majority, the settlement order must direct payment to the minor’s estate, restrict withdrawals without court leave, and require the guardian to file proof of distributions.
Court's wording
Where annuity payments or income are payable prior to the beneficiary reaching majority age, the order approving settlement shall provide that such payments be made only to the estate of the minor; that they not be expended, transferred or withdrawn from the estate without leave of court; and the order shall require the filing of proof of payment of such periodic or partial distributions by the guardian of the minor.
If the petition is not accompanied by the proposed citation or the proposed order, the Clerk shall reject the petition.
If such Affidavit has been filed for purposes of a hearing on temporary relief, an additional Affidavit need not be filed prior to hearing for permanent relief unless there has been a substantial change of anything included therein.
(b) Proof of Heirship. The proof of heirship shall be made by any person with sufficient knowledge of facts from which heirship can be determined.
The petitioner may be required to furnish evidence that the sums to be withdrawn or proceeds of sale or redemption are necessary for the ward's support, comfort, education, or other benefit to the ward or his dependents.
When the stated conditions apply, the court may direct a minor’s all-money distributive share to be deposited and paid out under the cited statute upon an under-oath showing that doing so is in the minor’s best interests.
Court's wording
If a minor is entitled to a distributive share of a decedent's estate and: (1) The share consists entirely of money, and (2) No guardian has been appointed for his estate, the Court, upon a showing under oath that it is in the best interests of the minor, may direct the distributive share to be deposited and paid out in accordance with Section 24-21 of the Illinois Probate Act.
If identical requests are made of multiple parties, they may be included in one certification.
In addition, the parties to any such matter may file a written stipulation to mediate any issue between them at any time.
A receipt of the bank or other financial institution is a voucher for accounting purposes.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Materials intended for court review at a remote hearing must be submitted through the county efiling system or designated Dropbox at least 48 hours before the hearing.
All proposed exhibits, proposed orders, fully signed agreed orders, agreements or stipulations, and all other documents that any party intends to present to the court for review or consideration shall be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled remote hearing through the county efiling system or to a designated Dropbox account, as designated by the Court or the Circuit Clerk, as follows:
Page 14 | Rules and Procedures
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Rules and amendments must be filed with the Administrative Director of Illinois Courts within ten days after adoption.
All rules, and amendments thereto, shall be filed with the Administrative Director of Illinois Courts within ten (10) days after they are adopted, in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 21.
Page 6 | RULE 1. RULES OF COURT
Documents exempt from electronic filing must be filed during the county Circuit Clerk’s regular business hours.
Any document exempt from electronic filing shall be filed during the regular business hours of the Circuit Clerk of the county in which the document is filed.
Page 11 | 4-2 Filing of Documents
Materials intended for court review at a remote hearing are due at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing.
All proposed exhibits, proposed orders, fully signed agreed orders, agreements or stipulations, and all other documents that any party intends to present to the court for review or consideration shall be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled remote hearing through the county efiling system or to a designated Dropbox account, as designated by the Court or the Circuit Clerk, as follows:
Page 14 | Rules and Procedures
Proof of service of the notice must be filed with the Clerk within two days after the hearing.
and proof of service thereof shall be filed with the clerk within two (2) days after the hearing.
Page 19 | RULE 5. MOTIONS
5-3 Failure to Call Motions for Hearing. The burden of calling for hearing any motion previously filed is on the party making the motion. If any such motion is not called for hearing within ninety (90) days from the date it is filed, the court may strike the motion or set the motion for hearing.
5-3 Failure to Call Motions for Hearing. The burden of calling for hearing any motion previously filed is on the party making the motion. If any such motion is not called for hearing within ninety (90) days from the date it is filed, the court may strike the motion or set the motion for hearing.
Page 19 | 5-3 Failure to Call Motions for Hearing
The specified emergency orders or similar actions must be filed with the Clerk, if the office is open, before application to a Judge.
order, Emergency Order of Protection, Emergency Stalking No-Contact Orders or similar actions shall be filed in the office of the Clerk, if that office is open, before application to a Judge for the order.
Page 19 | RULE 5. MOTIONS
A motion to reinstate must be filed within 30 days after notice of dismissal or the case may not be redocketed.
Such cases shall not be redocketed if a motion to reinstate is not filed within thirty (30) days from the date of said notice.
Page 21 | 7-1 Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
The Clerk must notify all pro se parties and attorneys of record of a dismissal for want of prosecution within 10 days.
Upon dismissal of any cause for want of prosecution, the Clerk of the Court shall give all pro se parties and all attorneys of record notice of the dismissal within ten (10) days of the dismissal.
Page 21 | 7-1 Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
Required Financial Affidavits are due by the earlier of the proposed-parenting-plan deadline under 750 ILCS 5/602.10 or at least five days before the contested-issues hearing, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Financial Affidavits, when required, shall be filed within the same time period set forth in 750 ILCS 5/602.10 for submitting proposed parenting plans, or at least five (5) days prior to the hearing on contested issues, whichever is sooner, or as otherwise ordered by the court.
Page 22 | 8-3 Financial Affidavit
If any issues are disputed, each party must file a statement of proposed disposition by the earlier of the parenting-plan deadline under 750 ILCS 5/602.10 or at least five days before the contested-issues hearing, unless the court orders otherwise.
In addition to the Financial Affidavit required in Rule 8-3, if there are any issues in dispute, each party shall file a written statement of proposed disposition, addressing all issues (both agreed and contested), within the same time period set forth in 750 ILCS 5/602.10 for submitting proposed parenting plans, or at least five (5) days prior to the hearing on contested issues, whichever is sooner, or as otherwise ordered by the court.
Page 23 | 8-4 Statement of Proposed Disposition
A Mediator Report must be filed before the status date if mediation has completed and within 14 days after the last day of the mediation conference.
A Mediator Report, in compliance with 710 ILCS 35/7(b) must be filed prior to the status date (if mediation has completed) and within fourteen (14) days after the last day of the mediation conference,
Page 29 | 9-8 Mediator Report
The mediator must file a report with the court within 14 days after mediation ends, stating whether the parties reached an agreement.
Within fourteen (14) days after the termination of mediation for any reason, the mediator shall file with the court a report in a form prescribed by the Chief Judge as to whether or not an agreement was reached by the parties.
Page 34 | Report of Mediator
Guardians must present the required account and evidence within 13 months after letters issue, annually after the first account, within 30 days after their office ends, and at any other times ordered by the court.
Every guardian shall present the account and evidence required by Section 24-11 of the Illinois Probate Act: (1) Within 13 months after the issuance of letters; (2) Annually after the date of the first account; (3) Within 30 days after the termination of his office; and (4) At such other times as the Court may order.
Page 40 | 11-8 Periodic Accounting
Executors and administrators must present the required account and disbursement evidence within 14 months after letters issue, annually after the first account, and at any other times ordered by the court.
Every executor and administrator shall present the account and evidence of disbursements required by Section 24-1 of the Illinois Probate Act: (1) Within 14 months after the issuance of letters; (2) Annually after the date of the first account; and (3) At such other times as the Court may order.
Page 40 | 11-8 Periodic Accounting
Unless the court excuses the requirement, the petitioner must file receipts for all sums expended within 30 days after the withdrawal order is entered.
Unless otherwise excused by the Court, within 30 days after entry of the order for withdrawal, the petitioner shall file receipts for all sums expended.
Page 40 | 11-6 Withdrawal of Ward's Money
The account must be filed by the hearing date; otherwise, the Court directs the Clerk to issue a Rule to Show Cause.
If the account is not filed on or before the date of the hearing on the account, the Court shall direct the Clerk to issue a Rule to Show Cause directing the personal representative to account as required or to appear on a date fixed by the Court to show cause why he or she should not do so, or be removed as personal representative, or be held in contempt of court.
Page 41 | 11-8(d)(2)
The court will continue the case to a specific date for filing the financial institution’s voucher.
The court shall continue the case to a specific date for the purpose of having a voucher from the financial institution filed.
Page 43 | Settlement provisions
Recipient vouchers must be filed within the time prescribed by the court.
The order entered approving settlement shall provide for the distribution of the settlement funds and the filing of vouchers signed by recipients of any portion of the settlement proceeds within a time prescribed by the court.
Page 43 | Settlement provisions
When a case has had no action of record for one year and no appeal is pending, the Court may dismiss it for want of prosecution; redocketing afterward requires good cause and leave of Court.
In all cases where no appeal is pending and there has been no action of record for a period of one (1) year, the Court may summarily dismiss the cause of action for want of prosecution and it shall not thereafter be redocketed without good cause shown and leave of Court.
Page 21 | 7-1 Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The opposing party must receive notice of a formal remote-appearance request five working days before the scheduled hearing.
A formal request for remote appearance must be made in writing five (5) working days before the scheduled hearing with notice to the opposing party.
Page 12 | 4-4(a)(i) How to request a remote appearance
A hearing notice delivered before 4:00 p.m. by the stated methods is complete that day; one delivered at or after 4:00 p.m. is complete on the next court day, and email or fax requires verification of receipt.
If a notice of hearing is delivered before 4:00 p.m. by either personal service, e-mail or fax (with verification the other party has received said e-mail or fax), or by leaving it in the office notice is complete as of the day of delivery; if such notice is delivered at or after 4:00 p.m., then service of the notice is complete on the first court day following delivery.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
Motion notices must be served under Supreme Court Rule 11, and proof of service must be filed under Supreme Court Rule 12.
Notice of Motions shall be given in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 11 and proof of service filed in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 12.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
The attorney seeking an order after a hearing without prior notice must serve written notice on parties not found in default, following Supreme Court Rule 11.
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 the 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 seeking the order upon all parties not theretofore found by the Court to be in default for failure to plead thereto; and proof of service thereof shall be filed with the clerk within two (2) days after the hearing. Notice shall be given in the manner and to the persons described in Supreme Court Rule 11.
Page 19 | RULE 5. MOTIONS
An original discovery request must be served on the party or parties to whom it is directed.
In all civil matters an original request for discovery shall be made by serving such request upon the party or parties upon whom it is directed.
Page 20 | RULE 6. DISCOVERY
An attorney who submits a letter to the mediator must provide a copy to opposing counsel or the opposing party.
The attorney shall provide a copy of such letter to the opposing counsel or party.
Page 30 | 9-9 Litigation Status
When a Rule to Show Cause is issued, the Clerk must mail interested persons, including unpaid creditors, notice of the contempt proceeding and its return date.
At the time of the issuance of a Rule to Show Cause required by this rule, the Clerk shall mail notice of the pendency of the contempt proceeding, and return date thereof, to all persons interested in the administration of the estate, including unpaid creditors.
Page 41 | 11-8(d)(4)
The personal representative or attorney must give all interested parties notice of any new hearing date.
provided, the personal representative, or his or her attorney, shall then be directed to provide notice to all interested parties of any new hearing date.
Page 41 | 11-8(c)
The clerk must mail the attorneys of record, or the representative if there are no attorneys, notice that the account is due and notice of the hearing date and time.
The clerk shall mail to the attorneys of record in the estate, or, if none, to the representative, a notice that the account is due together with a notice of the date and time for a hearing on the account.
Page 41 | 11-8(d)(1)
The hearing notice must be given and served in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12.
The notice of hearing shall be given and served in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12.
Page 42 | 11-8(e)(3)
Unless waived by the entitled person, notice of the hearing must be given to the ward, qualifying claimants, and all other interested persons.
Unless waived by the person entitled thereto, the notice of hearing shall be given to the ward (if any), to each claimant whose claim is filed and remains undetermined or unpaid (if any), and to all other interested persons (as defined by Section 1-2.11 of the Illinois Probate Act, if any).
Page 42 | 11-8(e)(1)
Unless an exception applies, a motion hearing notice must be served no later than five business days before the hearing.
Except as otherwise provided in these rules, service of a notice of hearing of any motion shall be completed no later than five (5) business days preceding the hearing, unless otherwise authorized by law or other local rule herein.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the Clerk must seal filed Financial Affidavits and make them available only to the specified courts, parties, attorneys of record, and persons directed by the Court.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any Financial Affidavit presented for filing shall be sealed by the Clerk and shall be made available only to the Court, to an appellate court in which the proceedings are subject to review, to the parties and their attorneys of record, and to such other persons as the Court directs.
Page 22 | 8-3 Financial Affidavit
Filing Bundling Requirements
The person seeking to affect the parties’ marital status, or their attorney, must present the listed prove-up documents together in a single package before testimony begins; the parenting-program certificate is excused if the court waives it or grants more time.
It shall be the responsibility of the person seeking to affect the marital status of the parties, or his or her attorney, to present to the Court for prove-up, in a single package and prior to the commencement of any testimony, the following: (1) Proposed judgment order; (2) Fully completed Certificate of Dissolution, Declaration of Invalidity or Legal Separation; (3) Fully completed uniform order for payment of support or maintenance, if applicable; (4) Signed original of any written agreement of the parties that has been, or will be, testified to or that is to be incorporated in the Judgment or Declaration; (5) Obligor order for any fee to Circuit Clerk pursuant to 750 ILCS 5/711, if support or maintenance is ordered; (6) Certificate that the person seeking to affect the marital status of the parties has completed the parenting education program as provided in Supreme Court Rule 924, unless the Court waives this requirement or grants the parties additional time to complete this requirement.
Page 23 | 8-5 Requirements for Judgment
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A dispositive motion cannot be heard until at least ten business days after service of the notice and proof of service.
In no event shall any dispositive motion be heard within ten (10) business days of service of notice and proof of service as provided in Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
A dispositive motion may not be scheduled for hearing without giving the opposing party an opportunity to reply.
Dispositive Motions shall not be scheduled for hearing without the opportunity of the opposing party to reply.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
Unless the parties or attorneys agree otherwise, a motion must be argued before the judge assigned to the case.
Any motion, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties or attorneys, shall be argued before the judge assigned to the case.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
The assigned judge may choose to rule on a pending motion without oral argument.
The assigned Judge may, in his or her discretion, rule on any pending motion without argument.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A request to continue a remote hearing to another date or to obtain an in-person appearance must be made by a timely filed, properly noticed motion to continue.
Requests for a continuance to another date or for an in-person appearance at the appropriate physical courtroom shall be made by a timely filed and properly noticed motion to continue.
Page 14 | Responsibilities
If the other party has not responded to a continuance motion, the movant must state the methods used to try to contact that party.
If the other party has not responded, then the movant shall set forth the methods in which they have tried to contact the other party.
Page 18 | RULE 5. MOTIONS — 5-1 Notice of Hearing
Mediation must be completed within seven weeks of the first conference unless the court orders or the parties stipulate to an extension.
Mediation shall be completed within seven (7) weeks of the first mediation conference unless extended by the order of the court or by stipulation of the parties.
Page 34 | Termination of Mediation
A request to extend the accounting deadline or permit less frequent accounting must be in writing, state the reasons, and show good cause.
Requests for an extension of time to a definite date or for an order allowing the accounting in a particular estate less frequently than above provided shall be made by written request of the personal representative, or his or her attorney, specifying the reasons for the request. On a showing of good cause,
Page 41 | 11-8(c)
The presiding or assigned judge may continue a remote hearing to another time or place for good cause, including listed conditions that disrupt the hearing or impair a party’s fair-hearing rights.
The presiding judge or the judge specifically assigned to a case shall retain the right at all times to continue a remote hearing to a different time or place, including a physical courtroom, for good cause, including but not limited to an unmanageable number of participants in the hearing, poor connections or other conditions that interfere with the ability of the court to conduct the remote hearing, or any other condition that unduly interferes with the rights of a party to a fair hearing.
Page 16 | Rules of the Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit
An attorney's or party's poor video connection alone is not grounds to continue a remote hearing.
A poor video connection for an attorney or party alone is not grounds to continue a remote hearing.
Page 16 | Rules of the Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit
Mediation continues while an interim or emergency relief motion is pending unless the court orders otherwise or the mediator decides to adjourn it.
Mediation shall continue while such a motion is pending absent a contrary order of the court or a decision of the mediator to adjourn pending disposition of the motion.
Page 33 | Interim or Emergency Relief
The mediator may adjourn at any time and set a reconvening time; parties present at the adjourned conference need no further notification.
The mediator may adjourn the mediation conference at any time and may set times for reconvening the adjourned conference. No further notification is required for parties present at the adjourned conference.
Page 34 | Adjournments
Chambers Communication Rules
A party lacking the necessary technology for a remote hearing must contact the Circuit Clerk at least 24 hours beforehand to request an in-person hearing.
If any party does not have access to the necessary technology or has a witness who will not have the necessary technology, that party shall contact the Circuit Clerk at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled remote hearing with a request to have the hearing rescheduled for an in-person appearance at the appropriate physical courtroom.
Page 13 | Responsibilities
The return date for a proposed citation must be coordinated with the Clerk.
with a return date that has been coordinated with the Clerk
Page 44 | 11-11 Citation Proceedings
The attorneys and mediator may not communicate further about the mediation process unless the parties agree in writing.
The attorneys and mediator shall not have further communication with regard to the mediation process except if agreed by the parties in writing.
Page 30 | 9-9 Litigation Status
If the required report information cannot be provided by the report’s due date, the mediator must advise the court how much time is necessary for mediation.
In the event that all of the above information cannot be provided on the due date of the Mediator Report, the mediator shall advise the court as to the time necessary for mediation.
Page 30 | 9-8 Mediator Report
A party may request a remote appearance by contacting the circuit clerk, who will provide case-type access information.
A party may request a remote appearance by contacting the circuit clerk. The clerk will provide access information for the case type.
Page 12 | 4-4(a)(i) How to request a remote appearance
Members of the public wishing to observe a remote hearing are advised to contact the Circuit Clerk for attendance directions.
public who desire to observe a remote hearing should contact the Circuit Clerk for directions on how to attend.
Page 17 | RULE 4. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES