Judge Elaine E. Bucklo
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Filing Requirements26 rules
Objections. A statement of any objections to each exhibit. Objections not made in the final pretrial order will be deemed waived absent a showing of good cause.
Objections. A statement of any objections to the calling of any witness. Objections not made in the final pretrial order will be deemed waived absent a showing of good cause.
Daubert objections must be noted in the final pretrial order but should be set forth in a separate motion in limine.
Any witness not listed in the final pretrial order will be precluded from testifying absent a showing of good cause, except that each party reserves the right to call such rebuttal witnesses (who are not presently identifiable) as may be necessary.
The parties shall jointly prepare and submit, on the date set by the court, a Final Pretrial Order containing the following , absent prior modification by the court:
Any exhibit not listed in the final pretrial order will be excluded from evidence absent a showing of good cause.
For each deposition witness, the Final Pretrial Order must include a chart of page/line designations, objections with bases, and asserted bases of admissibility; unmade objections are deemed waived absent good cause.
Court's wording
Depositions. For each witness whose deposition will be used, a chart containing the following information: (a) a listing, by page and line, of the testimony that each side seeks to present; (b) a concise statement of objections to any testimony and the basis for the objection; and (c) a concise statement of the asserted basis of admissibility. Objections not made in the final pretrial order will be deemed waived absent a showing of good cause.
In diversity cases where Illinois law provides the rule of decision, the use of IPI instructions as to issues of substantive law is required.
Trial briefs are not expected by the court and will not be accepted absent prior leave of court.
is to be delivered to the court at the start of trial
The final pretrial order must include a cover document with the case caption and title FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER that recites all categories of materials are included, contains the required control-of-trial language, and is signed by counsel for each party with a space for the court's signature.
- Document
- Final pretrial order
Must include
- •Caption
Court's wording
The final pretrial order should be submitted to the court with a cover document setting forth the case caption and the title FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER. The cover document must (a) recite that each of the foregoing categories of materials is included; (b) must state that "This order will control the course of the trial and may not be amended except by consent of the parties, or by order of the court to prevent manifest injustice"; and (c) must be signed by counsel for each of the parties and contain a space for the court's signature.
Jurisdiction: A concise statement of subject matter jurisdiction, and if jurisdiction is disputed, the nature and basis of the dispute.
Claims. A concise statement (1 or 2 short paragraphs) of the claim (s) of the plaintiff(s), defense(s) of defendant(s), and all counterclaims and cross claims. In a jury trial, this statement will be read to the jury during voir dire.
Witnesses. A list of names and addresses of all witnesses: (a) who will be called; (b) who may be called; and (c) whose deposition will be used. In a jury trial, this list will be read to the jury during voir dire.
The Final Pretrial Order must state each expert witness's subject(s) of expertise and any objections to the calling or qualifications of the witness, and unmade objections are deemed waived absent good cause.
Court's wording
Expert witnesses. A statement of the subject(s) of each expert witness' expertise, and a statement of any objections to the calling or qualifications of the witness (Daubert objections must be noted in the final pretrial order but should be set forth in a separate motion in limine.) Objections not made in the final pretrial order will be deemed waived absent a showing of good cause.
Relief sought. An itemization of damages and other relief sought.
Exhibits. A schedule of all exhibits a party may introduce at trial, as well as any demonstrative exhibits or evidence, identified by trial exhibit number , with a brief description of each exhibit.
Include
- •Exhibit list
Settlement History. A statement briefly summarizing the history and current status of settlement negotiations.
If any exhibit is to be displayed to the jury, the party intending to display the exhibit must make sufficient copies for all jurors or must use an enlargement or projection of the exhibit.
For jury trials, parties must submit proposed objections, modifications, additions to Judge Bucklo's general voir dire questions (available from chambers or the court's web page and not to be duplicated) plus any case-specific proposed voir dire.
Court's wording
Proposed voir dire. For a jury trial, proposed voir dire. Judge Bucklo has her own set of general voir dire questions, which can be obtained from chambers or this court's web page. These questions need not be duplicated in the final pretrial order. The parties are to submit any proposed objections, modifications, and additions to these general questions , as well as any proposed voir dire specific to the case.
The parties must submit one joint set of jury instructions, listing objections with citations immediately after disputed instructions and attaching any competing instruction.
Court's wording
Joint instructions. The parties shall submit one set of jury instructions. Where there is disagreement, the objection, with citation to authority, shall be listed immediately following the instruction. If necessary, a competing instruction shall be placed with the instruction upon which there is disagreement.
Proposed jury instructions. For a jury trial, proposed jury instructions. For general instructions, please use the Seventh Circuit's Pattern Civil Jury Instructions, which can be found on that Court's website, www.ca7.uscourts.gov.
Proposed findings and conclusions. For a bench trial, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Type and length of trial. A statement of whether the trial will be a bench trial or jury trial, and a realistic estimate of the length of the trial.
It is then the responsibility of plaintiff's counsel, with full cooperation from defendant's counsel, to assemble the final pretrial order for filing.
Defendant's written response must include objections, changes, and additions to plaintiff's draft, plus defendant's own portions such as witness and exhibit lists and objections to exhibits and deposition testimony.
- Document
- Pretrial order response
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Court's wording
Defendant's counsel must respond in writing to plain ti ff’s draft no later than fourteen (14) days before the final pretrial order is due, including any objections, changes, and additions to plaintiff's draft, as well as defendant's portions of the draft pretrial order (e.g., defendant’s witness and exhibit lists, and objections to exhibits and deposition testimony listed by plaintiff).
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responses to motions in limine must be filed and served no later than 14 days after the motions in limine are filed and served.
Any responses must be filed and served no later than fourteen (14) days thereafter.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Other Items to be Submitted Prior to Final Pretrial Conference
Motions in limine must be filed and served concurrently with the final pretrial order.
Any motions in limine must be filed and served along with the final pretrial order.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Other Items to be Submitted Prior to Final Pretrial Conference
The parties must meet and confer no later than 7 days before the final pretrial order is due to discuss their drafts and reach agreement to the extent possible.
The parties must meet and confer no later than seven (7) days before the final pretrial order is due to discuss their respective drafts and to reach agreement to the extent possible.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Instructions for Compiling Final Pretrial Order
Defendant's counsel must respond in writing to plaintiff's draft pretrial order no later than 14 days before the final pretrial order is due.
Defendant's counsel must respond in writing to plain ti ff’s draft no later than fourteen (14) days before the final pretrial order is due, including any objections, changes, and additions to plaintiff's draft, as well as defendant's portions of the draft pretrial order (e.g., defendant’s witness and exhibit lists, and objections to exhibits and deposition testimony listed by plaintiff).
Civil cases
Page 3 | Instructions for Compiling Final Pretrial Order
directly to Judge Bucklo's court reporter at least seven (7) days prior to trial.
directly to Judge Bucklo's court reporter at least seven (7) days prior to trial.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Other Items to be Submitted Prior to Final Pretrial Conference
Plaintiff's counsel must prepare the initial draft of the final pretrial order and provide it to defendant's counsel no later than 21 days before the final pretrial order is due.
Plaintiff's counsel has the responsibility to prepare the initial draft of the final pretrial order and must provide a draft to defendant's counsel no later than twenty-one (21) days before the date the final pretrial order is due.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Instructions for Compiling Final Pretrial Order
Filing Bundling Requirements
The motions should not be bound with the final pretrial order.
The motions should not be bound with the final pretrial order.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Other Items to be Submitted Prior to Final Pretrial Conference
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A final pretrial conference will be held before trial to address motions in limine, witness and exhibit objections, and contested jury instructions, and trial counsel fully prepared with authority to discuss all aspects of the case must attend.
A final pretrial conference will be held before trial. The court will address pending motions in limine, objections to witnesses and exhibits, and contested jury instructions, and it will discuss trial procedures and scheduling. Trial counsel fully prepared and with authority to discuss all aspects of the case must attend.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Final Pretrial Conference
Chambers Communication Rules
At trial, each party must also submit its proposed findings and conclusions via email.
At trial, each party shall also submit via email its proposed findings and conclusions.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Preparation of Final Pretrial Order for Civil Cases Before Judge Bucklo
At trial, the parties must submit via email their joint set of jury instructions incorporating the court's changes.
At trial, the parties shall submit via email their joint set of jury instructions which incorporates the court's changes.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Preparation of Final Pretrial Order for Civil Cases Before Judge Bucklo