Judge Jeannice W. Appenteng
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 10 pages
Adjournments
- Unless exigent circumstances exist, a settlement conference may be rescheduled only by court order on a written motion that is electronically filed and emailed to the Courtroom Deputy at least 10 days beforehand.
- Settlement conference rescheduling requires written motion filed 10 days in advance with full explanation.
- A motion requesting a continuance must fully explain the reasons for the request.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Parties must limit settlement letters to six pages, exclusive of exhibits, unless they obtain leave of Court, which may be obtained by emailing the Courtroom Deputy.
Settlement Letter
6 pages
Parties must limit settlement letters to six pages double-spaced, exclusive of exhibits, unless they obtain leave of Court, which may be obtained by emailing the Courtroom Deputy.
Settlement Letter
6 pages
Document Format Requirements8 rules
If the settlement conference is by videoconferencing technology, the Court’s staff will hold a test run with the parties at least 30 minutes prior to the conference. All attorneys and party representatives must log on at that time.
The Court will not allow any counsel or party to appear using a cell phone.
All participants must use a computer or tablet or be in the same room as someone with a computer or tablet.
Court reporters must separately bind pages of confidential transcribed deposition testimony and deposition exhibits.
Pages of transcribed deposition testimony or exhibits to depositions that are designated as Confidential Information pursuant to the process set out in this Order must be separately bound by the court reporter and may not be disclosed to anyone except as permitted under this Order;
The Court will not allow any counsel or party to appear using a cell phone. All participants must use a computer or tablet or be in the same room as someone with a computer or tablet.
The chart’s format shall be substantially similar to the example below (landscape orientation is encouraged).
All attorneys are responsible for themselves and their clients in ensuring an error-free settlement conference. This includes functioning cameras, speakers, and microphones without static or interference.
The Court uses the Cisco Webex platform for videoconferences.
Document Filing Requirements47 rules
Witnesses who are not on the lists are barred from testifying unless the proponent shows good cause for the failure to disclose the witness.
DocumentPretrial Order
The joint status report shall contain the following information:
DocumentJoint Status Report
Describe the matter(s) referred to the magistrate judge.
DocumentJoint Status Report
a. Describe the claims and defenses raised by the pleadings, including the basis for federal jurisdiction. b. State the relief sought, including an itemization of damages.
DocumentJoint Status Report
a. Describe the status of any settlement discussions. b. State whether the parties believe a settlement conference would be productive at this time, and if not, briefly explain why.
DocumentJoint Status Report
State whether all parties will consent to have Judge Appenteng conduct all further proceedings in this case, including trial and entry of final judgment, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73.
DocumentJoint Status Report
Indicate the status of any pending motions.
DocumentJoint Status Report
In consent cases, state whether a jury trial is requested, the date when the parties expect to be ready for trial, and the probable length of trial.
DocumentJoint Status Report
State whether the parties anticipate or are engaged in ESI discovery, and, if so, what agreements have been reached regarding ESI and whether there are any areas of disagreement.
DocumentJoint Status Report
A plaintiff’s settlement letter must include the case nature, supporting evidence and legal principles, itemized damages, a settlement demand, and any other information the plaintiff believes would assist the Court.
Plaintiff’s settlement letter must set forth the following information: (a) the nature of the case; (b) a brief summary of the evidence and legal principles that support plaintiff’s theory of liability, damages, and any other relief; (c) an itemization of damages; (d) a settlement demand; and (e) any additional information plaintiff believes would be helpful to the Court in assisting the parties to resolve the dispute.
DocumentPlaintiff Settlement Letter
The subject line of the email shall include the case name, case number, and the date of the settlement conference.
DocumentSettlement Letter Email
The parties must submit a joint status report before the initial status hearing addressing the listed settlement-readiness and participant topics.
Prior to the initial status hearing, the Court will direct the parties to submit a joint status report addressing the following issues: (1) whether the parties have the necessary information to conduct meaningful settlement discussions; (2) the earliest anticipated date when all parties will be ready to participate in a productive settlement conference; (3) whether the parties have engaged in previous settlement discussions and the current status of those discussions; (4) the individuals who will be present at the settlement conference on behalf of their respective parties, consistent with the requirements of this order; and (5) whether there are outstanding lien holders or third parties who must provide information or should participate in the settlement conference.
DocumentJoint Status Report
The parties are required to exchange settlement letters before the conference.
DocumentSettlement Letter
Plaintiff’s settlement demand must be all inclusive and specify each element of monetary and non-monetary relief that plaintiff seeks to settle the case.
DocumentPlaintiff Settlement Demand
All parties shall include within their letters the names and titles of the individuals they anticipate will be attending the settlement conference.
DocumentSettlement Letter
A defendant’s settlement letter must state its defense theory and address the specified points, responsive offer, and helpful additional information.
Defendant’s settlement letter must set forth the theory of defense and shall include the following information: (a) any point(s) in plaintiff’s letter with which the defendant agrees; (b) any point(s) in plaintiff’s letter with which defendant disagrees; (c) a settlement offer that is responsive to the monetary and non-monetary elements of relief that plaintiff seeks in its settlement demand; and (d) any additional information defendant believes would be helpful to the Court in assisting the parties to resolve the dispute.
DocumentDefendant Settlement Letter
Counsel are required to provide the full set of settlement letters to their clients to read prior to the conference.
DocumentSettlement Letters
The parties must select one Alternative for handling deposition testimony and delete the other alternative and this footnote.
DocumentProtective Order
Deposition testimony is protected by this Order only if designated as “CONFIDENTIAL-SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” on the record at the time the testimony is taken. Such designation must be specific as to the portions that include Confidential Information.
DocumentDeposition Testimony
The designation of a document as Confidential Information is a certification by an attorney or a party appearing pro se that the document includes Confidential Information as defined in this order.
DocumentConfidential Designation
Copies of documents marked CONFIDENTIAL-SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER must bear the same marking, except for indices/databases/lists that do not disclose confidential substance.
Any copies that are made of any documents marked “CONFIDENTIAL- SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” must also be so marked, except that indices, electronic databases or lists of documents that do not show substantial portions or images of the text of marked documents and do not otherwise disclose the substance of the Confidential Information are not required to be marked.
DocumentCopy Of Confidential Document
Unless all parties agree on the record at the time the deposition testimony is taken, all deposition testimony taken in this case shall be treated as Confidential Information until the expiration of the following: no later than the 14th day after the transcript is delivered to any party or the witness, and in no event later than 60 days after the testimony was given.
DocumentDeposition Testimony
Use of private LLM or AI platforms requires disclosure of intent to use and confirmation that data will not train public models or be retained beyond litigation.
Privately licensed and secure LLM or AI platforms may be used with industry standard data security provisions only if the person or entity authorized to have access to Confidential Information under the terms of this Order discloses that it plans to use the LLM or AI platform and has ensured the documents or data will not be used to train public models, will not be used to train AI products or tools being used for purposes other than this litigation, and otherwise will not be made accessible to other users of the LLM or AI platform. The person or entity authorized to have access to or AI platform used does not incorporate such documents or data into their training datasets or model parameters or retain such documents or data beyond the conclusion of this litigation.
Applications to the Court for an order relating to materials or documents designated Confidential Information must be by motion.
DocumentMotion
Parties with full settlement authority must attend settlement conference.
Parties with full settlement authority are required to attend the conference. If a party is an individual, that individual must attend. If a party is a corporation or governmental entity, a representative of that corporation or governmental entity (in addition to counsel of record) with full settlement authority must attend.
DocumentSettlement Conference
Parties must submit an exhibit chart for Plaintiff's and Defendant's exhibits stating exhibit number, date, description, relevance, and any objection with the proponent's theory of admissibility.
The parties must submit an exhibit chart, one each for Plaintiff’s exhibits and Defendant’s exhibits. The charts must state the following: (a) the exhibit number; (b) the date of the document or exhibit, if applicable; ... relevance; and (e) whether there is an objection to the exhibit’s admission, and if so, a concise explanation of the objection and the proponent’s theory of admissibility.
DocumentExhibit Chart
The proposed pretrial order must state the estimated number of trial days, propose time limits for openings, closings, and witness examination per side, and state the recommended number of jurors.
State the estimated number of trial days, including jury selection, opening statements, and closing arguments, premised on six-hour to six and one-half hour trial-testimony days (these time periods already account for lunch and breaks). Propose estimated time limits for (a) opening statements per side; (b) closing arguments per side (including an initial close and rebuttal for the plaintiff); and (c) the total number of hours of witness examination per side. Also, state the number of jurors that the parties recommend (subject to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 48(a)).
DocumentPretrial Order
shall itemize damages and other relief sought and provide a concise explanation of the evidentiary basis for each itemization.
DocumentPretrial Order
In numbered paragraphs, state any stipulations and uncontested facts.
DocumentPretrial Order
Each party must provide a witness list in the proposed pretrial order divided into witnesses called, witnesses presented by deposition or prior testimony, and witnesses who might be called.
Each party shall provide a list of the witnesses, including expert witnesses, divided into (a) witnesses who will be called; (b) witnesses whose testimony will be presented by deposition or other prior testimony (indicating whether the presentation will be by reading a transcript or playing a video); and (c) witnesses who might be called or whose testimony might be presented.
DocumentPretrial Order
Likewise, parties must limit the objections to only good-faith objections. Frivolous and boilerplate objections will waste time, because in preparation for the pre-trial conference, the Court will review, as much as possible, the exhibits and the objections.
DocumentExhibit Chart
Grounds not listed may be waived, except for foundation and authentication.
DocumentExhibit Chart
Any substantive exhibit not objected to shall be deemed stipulated to and admissible into evidence by this Order (note: for the exhibit to be entered into the record for the jury’s consideration, the exhibit still must be referred to during trial testimony or otherwise published to the jury).
DocumentExhibit Chart
Identify any existing discovery deadlines. If no discovery schedule exists and the case is referred for discovery supervision, the parties should confer and submit the following information:
DocumentJoint Status Report
a. The deadline for Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) disclosures.
DocumentJoint Status Report
c. A fact discovery completion date. For claims involving medical conditions, fact discovery ordinarily includes treating physician depositions. The parties shall indicate whether the proposed date includes treating physician depositions.
DocumentJoint Status Report
d. If there will be expert discovery, an expert discovery completion date, including dates for the delivery of expert reports and rebuttal reports, if any (or summaries for non-retained expert testimony).
DocumentJoint Status Report
b. A date to issue written discovery requests.
DocumentJoint Status Report
Please note the Court has adopted the Principles of the Seventh Circuit Electronic Discovery Pilot Program and the parties should be familiar with them. In a patent case, the Court will apply the Local Patent Rules for Electronically Stored Information.
DocumentJoint Status Report
State any other matters that should be brought to the Court’s attention for scheduling purposes.
Counsel and the parties are cautioned that failure to attend a settlement conference may subject a party to sanctions.
DocumentSettlement Conference
The pre-conference letters and the settlement conference are governed by Local Rule 83.5 relating to Confidentiality of Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings.
The parties shall, however, make a good faith effort to stipulate to the authenticity of exhibits whenever possible.
DocumentExhibit Chart
In addition to substantive exhibits and Rule 1006 summary exhibits, the chart should also include proposed demonstrative exhibits and any exhibits that are likely to be referred to at trial even though not allowed into evidence.
DocumentExhibit Chart
Do not over-designate exhibits, because we will examine exhibits one-by-one during the pretrial conference, and plainly inadmissible exhibits will needlessly consume time.
DocumentExhibit Chart
The Court expects the parties to address each other with courtesy and respect, and also to speak frankly and openly about their views of the case in this confidential setting.
DocumentSettlement Conference
Each such motion must be accompanied by a competent declaration that affirms that the movant has complied the designating party.
DocumentMotion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Settlement letters are not filed on the court docket, are not part of the Court’s record, and are inadmissible as evidence.
These letters are not electronically filed on the court docket, will not be made part of the Court’s record, and will not be admissible as evidence.
Civil cases
Page 2 | B. Pre-Settlement Conference Letters and Further Discussions
Witness lists may be filed as separate ECF documents filed simultaneously with the proposed pretrial order, which must note their separate filing.
The witness lists may be filed as separate ECF documents. If so, the proposed pretrial order shall indicate in this section that the witness list(s) will be filed on the docket simultaneously with the proposed pretrial order.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Final Proposed Pretrial Order
Exhibit charts may be filed as separate ECF documents filed simultaneously with the proposed pretrial order, which must note their separate filing.
The exhibit charts may be filed as separate ECF documents. If so, the proposed pretrial order shall indicate in this section that the exhibit chart(s) will be filed on the docket simultaneously with the proposed pretrial order.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Final Proposed Pretrial Order
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Parties must serve proposed stipulations and uncontested facts on each other no later than 10 business days before the pretrial order's due date, and confer in good faith no later than 5 business days before the due date.
No later than 10 business days before the proposed pretrial order’s due date, the parties must serve on each other proposed stipulations and uncontested facts.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Final Proposed Pretrial Order
Notice of Designation for deposition testimony must be served within the presumptive confidentiality period, or all designation is waived.
Within this time period, a party may serve a Notice of Designation to all parties of record as to specific portions of the testimony that are designated Confidential Information, and thereafter only those portions identified in the Notice of Designation shall be protected by the terms of this Order. The failure to serve a timely Notice of Designation shall waive any designation of testimony taken in that deposition as Confidential Information, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Page 4 | Depositions
Notice of Designation for deposition testimony must be served within 14 days of transcript delivery, or on-record designation is waived.
Within 14 days after delivery of the transcript, a designating party may serve a Notice of Designation to all parties of record identifying the specific portions of the transcript that are designated Confidential Information, and thereafter those portions identified in the Notice of Designation must be protected under the terms of this Order. The failure to serve a timely Notice of Designation waives any designation of deposition testimony as Confidential Information that was made on the record of the deposition, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Page 4 | Depositions
Receiving party must notify designating party in writing within 3 business days of subpoena/order to disclose Confidential Information.
If a receiving party is served with a subpoena or an order issued in other litigation that compels the disclosure of any material or document designated in this action as Confidential Information, the receiving party must notify the designating party in writing immediately and in no event more than 3 business days after
Page 10 | 12. Confidential Information Subpoenaed or Ordered Produced in Other Litigation (a)
Receiving party must promptly deliver a copy of the protective order to the party who issued the subpoena or court order.
The receiving party must also deliver a copy of this Order promptly to the party in the other action that caused the subpoena or order to issue.
Page 11 | Confidential Information
Receiving party must immediately provide written notice to the subpoena or court order issuer that requested material is subject to the protective order.
The receiving party also must immediately inform in writing the party who caused the subpoena or order to issue in the other litigation that some or all of the material the subpoena or order seeks is the subject of this Order.
Page 11 | Confidential Information
Designating party must respond to confidentiality designation challenge within 5 business days.
The designating party must respond to the challenge within 5 business days.
Page 9 | 9. Challenges by a Party to Designation as Confidential Information (a) Meet and Confer
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Parties must submit courtesy copies of submissions exceeding ten pages, counting exhibits.
Parties must submit courtesy copies of any submissions (inclusive of exhibits) longer than ten pages.
Civil cases
Page 3 | B. Pre-Settlement Conference Letters and Further Discussions
Courtesy copies required for submissions over 10 pages.
Parties must submit courtesy copies of any submissions (inclusive of exhibits) longer than ten pages.
Civil cases
Page 3 | B. Pre-Conference Settlement Letters
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
AI models, inputs, and outputs derived from Confidential Information are deemed Confidential and restricted to use in this litigation.
Finally, any LLM or AI models, AI inputs, and any AI outputs developed using Confidential Information produced in this litigation are deemed Confidential and cannot be used for any purpose other than prosecuting or defending this litigation.
Page 8 | Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Model Platforms and Services
This Order does not authorize filing under seal; parties must comply with LR 26.2 to file Confidential Information under seal.
7. Filing of Confidential Information. This Order does not authorize the filing of any document under seal. Any party wishing to file a document designated as Confidential Information under seal in connection with a motion, brief or other submission to the Court must comply with LR 26.2. Parties must use
Page 8 | Filing of Confidential Information
Parties may not withhold discovery information for protection greater than this Order without moving for a special protection order.
No party may withhold information from discovery, unless privilege is asserted, on the ground that it requires protection greater than that afforded by this Order without the party moving for an order requiring such special protection.
Page 9 | 8. No Greater Protection of Specific Documents
Challenged Confidential Information must remain treated as confidential until court rules.
However, until the Court rules on the challenge, the parties must continue to treat the challenged materials as Confidential Information.
Page 10 | 9. Challenges by a Party to Designation as Confidential Information (b) Judicial Intervention
Parties must raise Confidential Information use at trial via motion or pretrial memorandum without disclosing the information.
A party that intends to present or that anticipates that another party may present Confidential information at a hearing or trial must bring that issue to the Court’s and parties’ attention by motion or in a pretrial memorandum without disclosing the Confidential Information.
Page 10 | 11. Use of Confidential Documents or Information at Trial
Any party or interested member of the public may challenge the sealing of documents, with the party asserting confidentiality bearing the burden of proving the sealing is proper.
A party or interested member of the public has a right to challenge the sealing of documents that have been filed under seal, and the party asserting confidentiality has the burden of demonstrating the propriety of filing under seal.
Page 11 | Confidential Information
Counsel may retain attorney work product (without verbatim substantial Confidential Information) and one complete set of all filed documents (including sealed) after litigation, subject to the protective order.
Notwithstanding the above requirements to return or destroy documents, counsel may retain: (1) attorney work product, including an index that refers or relates to designated Confidential Information so long as that work product does not duplicate verbatim substantial portions of Confidential Information; and (2) one complete set of all documents filed with the Court including those filed under seal. Any retained Confidential Information is subject to this Order’s protection.
Page 12 | Confidential Information
Parties may agree to destruction of Confidential Information with certification instead of return, and waive requirements to locate e-mails or Confidential Information in deposition transcripts or expert reports.
The parties may choose to agree that the receiving party shall destroy documents containing Confidential Information and certify the fact of destruction, and that the receiving party shall not be required to locate, isolate and return e-mails (including attachments to e-mails) that may include Confidential Information, or Confidential Information contained in deposition transcripts or drafts or final expert reports.
Page 12 | Confidential Information
Settlement conference statements are confidential and inadmissible at trial under Local Rule 83.5.
The pre-conference letters and the settlement conference are governed by Local Rule 83.5 relating to Confidentiality of Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings. Any statements made by any party during the settlement conference will not be admissible at trial.
Civil cases
Obligations regarding Confidential Information apply for as long as a party has possession, custody, or control of such information.
The obligations set forth in this paragraph remain in effect while the party has in its possession, custody, or control Confidential Information of the other party to this case.
Page 11 | Confidential Information
Confidential Information and documents marked CONFIDENTIAL-SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER must be returned to the producing party within 63 days of final judgment or dismissal, with specified exceptions.
Within 63 days after dismissal or entry of final judgment not subject to further appeal, all Confidential Information and documents marked “CONFIDENTIAL-SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER” under this Order, including copies as defined in Paragraph 3(a), must be returned to the producing party unless: (1) the document has been offered into evidence or filed without restriction as to disclosure; (2) the parties agree to destruction to the extent practicable in lieu of return; 5 or (3) as to documents bearing the notations, summations, or other mental impressions of the receiving party, that party elects to destroy the documents and certifies to the producing party that it has done so.
Page 12 | Confidential Information
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties challenging confidentiality designation must confer directly with designating party in good faith before judicial intervention.
A party challenging the designation of Confidential Information must do so in good faith and must begin the process by conferring directly with the designating party.
Page 9 | 9. Challenges by a Party to Designation as Confidential Information (a) Meet and Confer
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unless exigent circumstances exist, a settlement conference may be rescheduled only by court order on a written motion that is electronically filed and emailed to the Courtroom Deputy at least 10 days beforehand.
Absent exigent circumstances, no conference shall be rescheduled except by court order pursuant to a written motion electronically filed and emailed to the Courtroom Deputy not less than 10 days in advance of the conference.
Civil cases
Page 5 | G. Failure to Appear and Cancellation of the Conference
A motion requesting a continuance must fully explain the reasons for the request.
The motion shall fully explain the reasons for the requested continuance.
Civil cases
Page 5 | G. Failure to Appear and Cancellation of the Conference
Settlement conference rescheduling requires written motion filed 10 days in advance with full explanation.
Absent exigent circumstances, no conference shall be rescheduled except by court order pursuant to a written motion electronically filed and emailed to the Courtroom Deputy not less than 10 days in advance of the conference. The motion shall fully explain the reasons for the requested continuance.
Civil cases
Chambers Communication Rules
Each party must email its settlement letter to chambers on the day it provides the letter to opposing counsel.
Each party shall email a copy of its letter to the Court’s chambers on the same day that it is provided to opposing counsel.
Civil cases
Page 2 | B. Pre-Settlement Conference Letters and Further Discussions
Settlement letters must be submitted to chambers at the stated email address.
The email address for the submission of settlement letters to the Court is Settlement_Correspondence_Appenteng@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 2 | B. Pre-Settlement Conference Letters and Further Discussions
Parties must email settlement letters to chambers on same day as opposing counsel with specific subject line format.
Each party shall email a copy of its letter to the Court's chambers on the same day that it is provided to opposing counsel. The subject line of the email shall include the case name, case number, and the date of the settlement conference.
Civil cases
Page 2 | B. Pre-Conference Settlement Letters
Parties must attend in person or via videoconference, not by phone.
The Court will not permit a party, party representative, or an insurance representative merely to be available by telephone during the conference.
Civil cases
Page 4 | C. Persons Required to Attend the Settlement Conference
If the parties conclude that a settlement conference is no longer necessary, they should email the Courtroom Deputy as soon as possible.
If the parties conclude that a settlement conference is no longer necessary, they should inform the Court via email to the Courtroom Deputy as soon as possible.
Civil cases
Page 5 | G. Failure to Appear and Cancellation of the Conference
Counsel concerned about the technology may email the Courtroom Deputy to arrange a test run several days before the conference.
Any counsel may email the Courtroom Deputy for a test run several days before the conference if they are concerned about the technology.
Civil cases
Page 5 | E. Videoconference Procedures
Settlement letters must be emailed to specific address and are not part of court record.
The email address for the submission of settlement letters to the Court is Settlement_Correspondence_Appenteng@ilnd.uscourts.gov. These letters are not electronically filed on the court docket, will not be made part of the Court's record, and will not be admissible as evidence.
Civil cases
Page 2 | B. Pre-Conference Settlement Letters
If the parties conclude that a settlement conference is no longer necessary, they should inform the Court via email to the Courtroom Deputy as soon as possible.
If the parties conclude that a settlement conference is no longer necessary, they should inform the Court via email to the Courtroom Deputy as soon as possible.
Civil cases
Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives
The Court encourages parties and counsel to give junior lawyers opportunities for substantive participation in the settlement conference.
The Court encourages the parties and counsel to consider providing opportunities to junior lawyers to substantively participate in the settlement conference.
Civil cases
Page 4 | D. Conference Format