Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- To the Hearing
Brief
Court-wideCourt Document, Exhibit
Court-wide- No Later Than 4 30 Pm Three Business Days Before Hearing
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Hand Delivery
- Upon request
Communication
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Financial Affidavits must use the statewide approved form or an alternative substantially in the form of Appendix O to the Local Rules.
Court's wording
The parties shall use the Illinois Supreme Court’s statewide approved form of Financial Affidavit or an alternative which is in substantially the form set forth in Appendix O to the Local Rules for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (“Local Rules”).1
Statements should be in substantially the form set forth in Appendix V to the Local Rules.
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
An attorney shall file his or her written appearance or a signed pleading before he or she addresses the Court unless he or she is presenting a motion for leave to appear, by intervention or otherwise.
A motion to withdraw may not be noticed for a trial or contested evidentiary hearing date absent the parties’ agreement or good cause shown in a verified motion, and a client’s failure to meet financial commitments is not good cause.
Court's wording
Absent agreement of the parties or good cause shown in a verified motion for leave to withdraw, no motion to withdraw may be noticed for presentment on a date set by the Court for a trial or other contested evidentiary hearing. “Good cause” for presentment of a motion to withdraw on a trial or hearing date does not include a client’s failure to comply with his or her financial commitments to the attorney.
When disputed issues involve financial matters, the parties must exchange and submit current, sworn, signed Financial Affidavits and may not waive the requirement without leave of Court.
Court's wording
If the issues in dispute involve financial matters (including, but not limited to, a party’s ability to make payments), the parties shall exchange and submit to chambers current, sworn and signed Financial Affidavits. The parties shall use the Illinois Supreme Court’s statewide approved form of Financial Affidavit or an alternative which is in substantially the form set forth in Appendix O to the Local Rules for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (“Local Rules”).1 The parties may not waive this requirement without leave of Court.
Each party must provide a proposed order to the other party and the Court by five business days before the hearing, including specified calculations for financial relief and proposed supporting findings of fact.
Court's wording
Each party shall prepare a proposed form of Order the party will ask the Court to enter if he or she is successful in obtaining the relief he or she seeks, and shall provide a copy of the proposed Order to the other party (or his or her counsel) and to the Court no later than five (5) business days before the hearing. In all cases in which some form of financial relief is sought, the proposed form of Order shall contain the proposing party’s mathematical calculations along with specific dollar figures for each category of relief sought. All proposed Orders shall contain proposed findings of fact which, if supported by the evidence at the hearing and adopted by the Court, would support the relief set forth in the proposed form of Order.
If the hearing is a final hearing in a pre-dissolution case involving the “Disposition of property” (750 ILCS 5/503), the parties shall exchange and submit to chambers current, sworn and signed Statements of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with Local Rule 14.25. The parties may not waive this requirement without leave of Court.
Each party shall file verified written responses to any verified motions or petitions directed at the party and which are to be heard at the evidentiary hearing. The Court may deem a party's failure to file a verified written response to a then-pending verified petition as an admission of any well-pleaded facts in the petition and may grant relief accordingly.
If attorney fees are sought when proofs close, counsel must provide opposing counsel and the Court a current statement of account; it should detail each attorney’s rates, service dates, and time, and be redacted as necessary to protect privilege.
Court's wording
If a party has petitioned for, or intends to petition for attorneys' fees when the proofs are closed at the conclusion of a scheduled hearing, counsel for the requesting party must provide opposing counsel and the Court with a current statement of account for his or her client (redacted to the extent necessary to preserve and protect the attorney-client privilege). The statements of account should reflect each attorney's hourly rate, along with the dates of service and time expended on each date of service.
All attorneys' fees petitions shall include a reference to the specific statutory section and subsection upon which the petition/request is based.
Each party must disclose intended or possible witnesses to the opposing party; witness lists need not be provided to the Court beforehand, and undisclosed witnesses may be barred, subject to stated exceptions and the Court’s discretion.
Court's wording
Each party shall provide the opposing party with a list of the witnesses he or she intends to or may call as witnesses at the evidentiary hearing. The parties do not need to provide their respective witness lists to the Court prior to the hearing. Other than a party or a witness called solely for the purposes of rebuttal or impeachment, any witness not disclosed prior to the hearing may, in the Court's discretion, be barred on the motion of the opposing party. In contested custody cases, the Court assumes, unless informed otherwise, that the court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem and/or court-appointed custody evaluator will be a witness.
A post-trial or post-hearing motion must specifically identify whether it relies on newly discovered evidence, a change in the law, or an error applying existing law.
Court's wording
The motion shall specifically state whether it is based on: (1) newly discovered evidence that could not, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been discovered prior to the trial or contested evidentiary hearing; and/or (2) changes in the law applicable to the facts and issues presented at the trial or contested evidentiary hearing; and/or (3) errors in the Court’s application of existing law to the facts and issues presented at the trial or contested evidentiary hearing.
(3) when necessary, include any relevant mathematical calculations.
If the motion is based on “newly discovered evidence,” the motion shall be verified or supported by an affidavit stating, with specificity, why the evidence was not available at the trial or hearing and why it could not have been discovered in the exercise of reasonable diligence.
(2) specifically identify the evidence (i.e. witness testimony and exhibit numbers) which, when considered in light of the cited authorities, compels or otherwise requires reconsideration or modification of the judgment or order entered by the Court.
(2) identify the specific modifications to the Court’s judgment or the Court’s prior order the party believes are required, appropriate or otherwise just;
A motion asserting that the Court misapplied existing law must specifically cite the statutory provisions or Illinois Supreme or Appellate Court cases allegedly misapplied.
Court's wording
If the motion is based on an assertion that the Court erred in its “application of existing law to the facts and issues presented at trial,” the motion shall: (1) provide specific citations to the statutory section and subsections and/or to the specific Illinois Supreme and/or Appellate Court case(s) the party asserts were misapplied;
All post-judgment or post-hearing motions shall: (1) state with specificity the exact relief sought;
A motion based on a change in the law must cite the new or amended statute and its effective date, or the new Illinois Supreme or Appellate Court case relied on.
Court's wording
If the motion is based on a “change in the law,” the motion shall provide a citation to the new or amended statute (including its “effective date”), or to the new Illinois Supreme or Appellate Court case, upon which the party relies for the relief sought in the motion.
If the testimony of a witness or witnesses is critical to the post-trial or post-hearing motion, the moving party shall obtain and supply the Court with a transcript of the relevant portions of the testimony.
- The parties shall use the Illinois Supreme Court’s statewide approved form of Financial Affidavit or an alternative which is in substantially the form set forth in Appendix O to the Local Rules. The parties may not waive this requirement without leave of Court.
If attorney-fee motions, petitions, or requests are at issue, each party’s counsel must submit a current client statement of account, redacted as necessary to protect privilege and reflecting the hourly rate, service dates, and time spent on each date.
Court's wording
- If the issues to be discussed or determined at the pre-trial conference or hearing include motions, petitions or requests for awards of attorneys’ fees, counsel for each party must submit a current statement of account for their respective clients (redacted to the extent necessary to preserve and protect the attorney-client privilege). The statements of account should reflect the attorney’s hourly rate, along with the dates of service and time expended on each date of service.
- A Pre-Trial Memorandum pursuant to Local Rule 14.03 of the Local Rules of the 17th Judicial Circuit (“Local Rules”) in substantially the form set forth in Appendix P to the Local Rules. The parties may not waive this requirement without leave of Court.
- If the issues to be discussed or determined at the pre-trial conference include any disputed financial issues, the parties are must submit current, verified Financial Affidavits. (See, Local Rule 14.02 for further guidance).
The Court may, in its discretion, require any attorney appearing for the first time on behalf of a party to complete and sign a written appearance form before speaking to the Court on behalf of that party.
The parties do not need to provide their respective exhibits or exhibit lists to the Court prior to the hearing, but should bring pre-marked courtesy copies of all exhibits for all parties and for the Court to the hearing.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The listed documents and information must be prepared, exchanged, and/or submitted at least five business days before the scheduled hearing, as specified below.
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 201(c) and 219(c), and in order to make efficient use of the parties’ and the Court’s time, to allow for adequate preparation, to prevent unfair surprise and to facilitate settlement, the Court orders each party to prepare, exchange with the opposing party or his/her counsel, and/or submit to the Court (as indicated below) the following documents and information at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date:
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
Unless the Court orders otherwise or waives the requirement, each party must prepare and submit the required documents at least five business days before the scheduled pre-trial conference.
Unless otherwise ordered or waived by the Court, and in order to make efficient use of the parties’ and the Court’s time, the Court requires that each party prepare and submit the following documents, with copies to the opposing party, at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled pre-trial conference:
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 1 – Courtroom 216 (Pre-Trial Settlement Conferences)
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Each party must give the opposing party copies of exhibits intended for use or admission, except exhibits intended for impeachment or direct rebuttal.
Each party shall tender to the opposing party (directly or through the party's attorney) copies of each exhibit (see Local Rules, Appendix T) he or she intends to use and/or to offer into evidence at the evidentiary hearing for any purpose other than impeachment of a witness or direct rebuttal of a witness' testimony.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
The Circuit Clerk must mail a copy of the Order to all attorneys and parties of record.
The Circuit Clerk shall mail a copy of this Order to all attorneys and/or parties of record.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Exhibit A — Order Striking / Denying Post-Judgment or Post-Hearing Motion or Petition
Each party must provide the opposing party copies of the required documents at least five business days before the scheduled pre-trial conference, unless the Court orders otherwise or waives the requirement.
Unless otherwise ordered or waived by the Court, and in order to make efficient use of the parties’ and the Court’s time, the Court requires that each party prepare and submit the following documents, with copies to the opposing party, at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled pre-trial conference:
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 1 – Courtroom 216 (Pre-Trial Settlement Conferences)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Parties should bring pre-marked courtesy copies of all exhibits for all parties and the Court to the hearing.
The parties do not need to provide their respective exhibits or exhibit lists to the Court prior to the hearing, but should bring pre-marked courtesy copies of all exhibits for all parties and for the Court to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
A statement of account provided in support of an attorney-fee petition must be redacted to the extent necessary to protect attorney-client privilege.
If a party has petitioned for, or intends to petition for attorneys' fees when the proofs are closed at the conclusion of a scheduled hearing, counsel for the requesting party must provide opposing counsel and the Court with a current statement of account for his or her client (redacted to the extent necessary to preserve and protect the attorney-client privilege).
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
When submitting a statement of account for an attorney-fee matter, counsel must redact it to the extent necessary to preserve and protect attorney-client privilege.
- If the issues to be discussed or determined at the pre-trial conference or hearing include motions, petitions or requests for awards of attorneys’ fees, counsel for each party must submit a current statement of account for their respective clients (redacted to the extent necessary to preserve and protect the attorney-client privilege). The statements of account should reflect the attorney’s hourly rate, along with the dates of service and time expended on each date of service.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 1 – Courtroom 216 (Pre-Trial Settlement Conferences)
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions raising pleading or discovery deficiencies may not be filed and noticed for presentment on the contested-hearing date.
Motions raising alleged pleading deficiencies or discovery deficiencies may not be filed and noticed for presentment on the date set for a contested hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
All relevant discovery and necessary motion practice must be completed before the parties request and receive a contested-hearing date.
All relevant discovery and all necessary motion practice is to be completed before the parties request and receive a contested hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
Oral discovery motions will not be entertained on the hearing date.
Oral motions regarding discovery matters will not be entertained on the date set for hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
Petitions or motions filed after an evidentiary hearing is scheduled and noticed for presentment on the hearing date will not be heard absent the parties’ express agreement.
Petitions or motions filed after the Court schedules an evidentiary hearing and noticed for presentment on the date of the hearing will not be heard unless by express agreement of the parties.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
No oral argument will be scheduled or heard on these motions unless the Court specifically requests and directs it.
No oral argument will be scheduled or heard on a post-judgment or post-hearing motion unless at the specific request and direction of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 4 – Courtroom 216 (Post-Trial or Post-Hearing Motions)
After notice and presentment of a timely motion, the opposing party may be given a reasonable period to file a written response.
Upon notice and presentment of a timely filed post-judgment or post-hearing motion, the opposing party may be provided with a reasonable period of time to file a written response.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 4 – Courtroom 216 (Post-Trial or Post-Hearing Motions)
After receiving any written response, the Court may decide the motion on the written submissions and issue an oral or written decision by the date it sets.
Upon receipt of the opposing party's written response (if any) the Court may decide the motion on the written submissions and issue an oral or a written decision on or before the date set by the Court for decision.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 4 – Courtroom 216 (Post-Trial or Post-Hearing Motions)
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Opposing counsel should consider the cited professional aspirations when deciding whether to object to or agree to continuances associated with withdrawal motions or attorney substitutions.
Opposing counsel in cases involving motions to withdraw and substitutions of attorneys shall keep in mind the “Statement of Professional Aspirations for the Legal Profession in the 17th Judicial Circuit” in evaluating whether to object or agree to continuances associated with those motions.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 3 – Courtroom 216 (Appearance & Withdrawal of Attorneys)
A substituting attorney is expected to meet existing deadlines and be prepared for scheduled proceedings unless the parties agree otherwise or good cause is shown in a verified motion to continue.
Absent agreement of the parties or good cause shown in a verified motion to continue, an attorney substituting into a case for another attorney is expected to comply with all existing deadlines and to be prepared for all previously scheduled pre-trial settlement conferences, trials and/or contested evidentiary hearings.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 3 – Courtroom 216 (Appearance & Withdrawal of Attorneys)
The Court may cancel or continue a hearing if it has not received the required proposed orders.
The Court may, in its discretion, cancel or continue any hearing with respect to which it has not received proposed orders as required by this Standing Order.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
If Standing Order No. 2 requirements remain unmet at least five business days before trial or hearing, the Court may cancel and continue the hearing and require the non-compliant party to pay reasonable associated costs or attorneys' fees.
If the mandatory requirements of this Standing Order No. 2 have not been complied with at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled trial or hearing, the Court may, on its own initiative or on the oral or written motion of any party made before or on the date of the trial or hearing, exercise its discretion to: - (1) Default the non-compliant party as to any or all of the relief sought by the pending motion(s) or petition(s) seeking relief from the non-compliant party; and/or - (2) Strike or dismiss any or all of the pending motion(s) or petition(s) of the non-compliant party scheduled to be heard at the trial or hearing; and/or - (3) Place any necessary or appropriate limitations on the non-compliant party's presentation of testimony or other evidence; and/or - (4) Cancel and continue the hearing to a future date and require the non-compliant party to pay any reasonable costs and/or attorneys' fees associated with the cancellation and continuance; and/or - (5) Enter any other orders as are just in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 219(c) and the Court's inherent case management authority.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
Chambers Communication Rules
The Court requests that the parties notify it as soon as reasonably possible if they agree in advance that the hearing will not proceed.
The Court requests that, if the parties determine by agreement in advance of the scheduled date and time that the hearing will not proceed, the Court be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 2 – Courtroom 216 (Contested Hearings)
The Court requests that the parties notify it as soon as reasonably possible if they agree in advance that the scheduled pre-trial settlement conference will not proceed.
The Court requests that, if the parties determine by agreement in advance of the scheduled date and time that the pre-trial settlement conference will not proceed, the Court be notified as soon as reasonably possible.
Civil cases
Page 2 | DOMESTIC RELATIONS — STANDING ORDER NO. 1 – Courtroom 216 (Pre-Trial Settlement Conferences)