Circuit Court of Williamson County, Illinois (1st Judicial Circuit) Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written order or judgment

Must include

proposed order, certificate of service

Unless the court directs otherwise, the attorney or prevailing party must promptly present a draft written order or judgment with proof of service on opposing counsel.

Unless the Court directs otherwise, whenever a written order or judgment is required, the attorney or the prevailing party shall promptly prepare and present a draft to the court, with proof of service on opposing counsel.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Attorney-submitted proposed orders must list the submitting attorney’s or firm’s name, address, phone number, and attorney registration number at the bottom left of the last page.

All proposed orders submitted by an attorney shall include on the bottom left side of the last page of the order the name of the attorney/law firm, address, phone number and attorney registration number of the attorney who submitted the order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order under Local Rule 1.12 may be presented only after the Court rules and directs a party to submit one, or after an agreement is read on the record and approved by the Court.

Proposed orders submitted pursuant to Local Rule 1.12 shall only be presented following a ruling by the Court and direction for one party to submit a proposed order or after an agreement is read on the record and approved by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons notice or court order setting court date

Summonses, notices, and court orders setting dates with a remote-appearance option must include the Zoom Meeting ID and password, courthouse address, and courtroom number.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates where case participants have the option to appear remotely shall include the following: (1) the Zoom Meeting ID and Password and (2) the courthouse address and courtroom number.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

The clerk must refuse to file a pleading that is unsigned or is not accompanied by proof of service.

The clerk shall refuse to file any pleading which is not signed and/or accompanied by a proof of service.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for continuance

A continuance motion must be personally signed by the party whose attorney requests it if the case has been pending more than 24 months or trial is set to begin within 48 hours, unless the judge finds good cause for the missing signature.

In any case which has been pending for more than 24 months, and in any case in which trial is set to commence within 48 hours, any motion for continuance shall be personally signed by the party whose attorney is requesting the continuance, unless the judge is satisfied that good cause for the absence of the party’s signature has been shown.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil contempt petition

A petition initiating indirect civil contempt proceedings must be verified and specifically identify the allegedly violated order provision, the violation, and the acts required to purge contempt.

A proceeding for indirect civil contempt may be initiated by the filing of a petition for order to show cause why the respondent should not be held in contempt. The petition shall be verified and set forth with particularity that portion of the order that is alleged to have been violated, the nature of the violation, and the acts required of the respondent to purge the contempt.

CRITICAL

Before imposing sanctions on a pro se litigant in covered civil contempt proceedings, the court must determine willfulness and provide contempt notice and an opportunity to complete a financial affidavit on Chief Judge-approved forms.

In civil contempt proceedings involving the non-payment of child support, or in any other type of cases as required in the discretion of the court, prior to the imposition of sanctions against a pro se litigant, the court shall determine whether the non-payment of was willful. The court shall provide the pro se litigant with a notice regarding contempt and an opportunity to complete a financial affidavit. The notice and affidavit will be on forms approved by the Chief Judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judgment

After an adjudication of civil contempt, a written judgment must be promptly prepared and filed specifying the contumacious conduct, sanctions, and means of purging contempt.

Upon an adjudication of civil contempt, a written judgment shall be promptly prepared and filed which specifies the contumacious conduct, the sanctions imposed, and the means by which the contemnor may purge himself.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sworn petition

Before approving attorney’s fees in a personal-injury case involving a minor or disabled person, the court requires a sworn petition stating the employment terms, services rendered, customary charges, and relevant special circumstances.

Prior to approval of attorney’s fees in a case based upon personal injuries to a minor or a disabled person the Court shall require the submission of a sworn petition setting forth: A. the terms of employment; B. the services rendered; C. the customary and usual charges for such services; and D. any special circumstances which might bear on the question of fees.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation

Terminated mediation may not resume unless the court orders it, and otherwise must return to the docket for adjudication.

No terminated mediation shall proceed further unless ordered by the court, but instead shall be returned to the docket for adjudication in the manner prescribed by law.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Written notice

If the mediator suspends or terminates mediation for a reason other than agreement or inability to reach agreement, the mediator must immediately notify the trial judge in writing and specify the reason.

The mediator shall ===== PAGE 24 ===== immediately advise the trial judge in writing if he or she suspends or terminates mediation for some reason other than agreement or inability to reach agreement, specifying the reason for such termination.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation progress report

Unless mediation has already terminated, the mediator must file a general progress report with the Circuit Clerk before the continued case management conference.

Unless mediation has sooner terminated, the mediator shall before the continued case management conference, file with the Circuit Clerk a report describing the progress of mediation in general terms.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation agreement account

When the parties reach all or partial agreement in mediation, the mediator must provide a written account to the parties and attorneys, but not the court.

When the parties reach agreement or partial agreement during mediation, the mediator shall provide a written account of the agreement to the parties and attorneys, but not to the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation conclusion report

Promptly after mediation concludes, the mediator must file the Chief Judge’s form with the Circuit Clerk, identifying agreed issues or an unsuccessful conclusion without stating why the parties could not agree.

Promptly upon conclusion of mediation, the mediator shall file with the Circuit Clerk a report, on a form provided by the Chief Judge, specifying any issues on which agreement was reached or whether the matter has concluded unsuccessfully. The report shall not specify the reasons for the inability of the parties to reach agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation final report

If the mediator has concerns about a minor child’s welfare or safety, or believes it is in the minor’s best interest, the final report must recommend appointment of a child representative or guardian ad litem.

If the mediator has concerns for the welfare or safety of the minor child(ren) or feels that it is in the best interest of the minor, the mediator shall recommend in the final report that a child representative or guardian ad litem be appointed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Attorney appointment application

Attorneys seeking appointment in the specified child-related matters must apply in writing to the Chief Judge and include all qualifications required by the rule.

Attorneys seeking appointment in child custody, allocation of parental responsibilities, visitation, and parenting time shall apply in writing to the Chief Judge of the circuit. The application shall set forth all qualifications as set forth herein.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator report

The mediator’s written report must designate the agreement status and be signed by the mediator.

The mediator shall report to the court in writing whether or not an agreement was reached by the parties. The report shall designate, "full agreement", "partial agreement" or "no agreement". The report shall be signed by the mediator and filed in the court file of the case under mediation within fourteen (14) days after the last day of mediation. A copy of said report shall be served by the mediator upon all parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation agreement

Any mediation agreement must be written and signed before mediation ends, and each party must receive a copy.

If an agreement is reached, it shall be reduced to writing and signed by the parties or their agents before termination of mediation. Each party shall receive a copy of such agreement.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator report

If the parties reach a full agreement, the mediator’s report must identify the individuals designated to complete and submit the necessary documents.

If a full agreement is reached, the report of the mediator shall so state and shall identify those individuals designated to complete and submit all documents necessary to the conclusion of ===== PAGE 28 ===== the agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator report

If the parties reach a partial agreement, the mediator’s report must identify resolved and unresolved claims and the individuals designated to complete the necessary documents for resolved claims.

If a partial agreement is reached, the report of the mediator shall state which claims have been resolved and which claims have not been resolved. The report shall also identify those individuals designated to complete and submit all documents necessary to the conclusion of those claims resolved by agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator report

If no agreement is reached, the mediator must report that fact without comment or recommendation.

If no agreement is reached, the mediator shall so report without comment or recommendation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification for exemption from e filing

An exemption certification must be filed in person or by mail, include a section 1-109 certification, and use the required standardized form.

A Certification for Exemption From E-filing shall be filed with the court-in person or by mail-and include a certification under section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The court shall provide, and parties shall be required to use, a standardized form expressly titled "Certification for Exemption From E-filing" adopted by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filed document

A filed document must bear the clerk’s electronic file mark identifying the court, clerk, filing date, and filing time.

The filed document shall be endorsed with the clerk's electronic file mark setting forth, at a minimum, the identification of the court, the clerk, the date, and the time of filing.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion or answering memorandum

Except for summary judgment motions, a party wishing to present legally authorized testimony or other evidence in support of or opposition to a motion should indicate that in the motion or answering memorandum.

Except for motions for summary judgment, which are governed by statute and not subject to this rule, any party that desires to present testimony or other evidence to support or oppose a motion (where authorized by law) should so indicate in the motion or answering memorandum.

WARNING

Applies to

Consent

Children may participate in mediation only if all parties and the mediator consent in writing.

(f) Advise each party that children may be allowed to participate in mediation so long as all parties and the mediator consent in writing.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Pleadings

All pleadings shall accurately reflect that the sale shall be conducted by the Williamson County Circuit Clerk.

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Applies to

Motion

Each such motion shall specifically set forth its factual and legal basis.

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Applies to

Motion

Each such motion shall contain or be accompanied by a short, concise statement containing the citation of any legal authority the movant may wish the court to consider.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Every such motion shall be accompanied by a proposed order.

We could not confirm this summary. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Certificate

Must include

local rule certificate ?

Counsel shall file a certificate of compliance with discovery orders.