**District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings** was appointed to the Northern District of Illinois by President Joseph R. Biden in 2023. Judge Cummings was born in 1962. He served as a law clerk for Judge Ann Claire Williams of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 1987 to 1989. He was then an associate and ultimately co-managing partner at Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C. in Chicago from 1989 to 2019, specializing in employment discrimination, civil rights, and whistleblower protection cases. He served as counsel to Barack Obama from 1996 until Obama's Senate election in 2004. He served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Illinois from 2019 to 2023 before being elevated to district judge. **Education** - Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1987 - Michigan State University, B.A., with high honors, 1984 **Career** - U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Illinois (2019–2023) - Co-Managing Partner, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C., Chicago (1989–2019) - Counsel to Barack Obama (1996–2004) - Law Clerk, Hon. Ann Claire Williams, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1987–1989)
**Courthouse:** Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604 **Chambers:** Room 1278 **Phone:** (312) 435-5630 **Fax:** (312) 777-3810 **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Chez Chambers, (312) 435-6051, Room 1218 - Court Reporter: Joene Hanhardt, (312) 435-6874, Room 1222
The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings. Courtesy copies not required for settlement letters.
Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings' rule states these limits: 6 pages. Excludes exhibits. Settlement letters limited to 6 pages (excluding exhibits).
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Two sets of exhibit binders with objected-to exhibits due one week before pretrial conference.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Two binders of final exhibits due day before trial.
Parties may contact Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings' chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. No contact with jurors after trial without court permission.
Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings. The request must include reason for request and affects other dates. Settlement conferences can only be rescheduled by court order with 14-day advance written motion and supporting affidavit.
Bundling is encouraged for covered papers before Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings. Multiple motions in limine should be filed in one document.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Objections to the preliminary jury instructions and requests for variation must be brought to the Court's attention at or before the final pretrial conference.
Two sets of exhibit binders with objected-to exhibits due one week before pretrial conference.
Two binders of final exhibits due day before trial.
Motions in limine due three weeks before pretrial conference; responses due one week before.
Parties must meet and confer on motions in limine before filing.
Multiple motions in limine should be filed in one document.
Responses to motions in limine should be filed in one document.
Parties must meet and confer on jury instructions before pretrial conference.
No recess requests before cross-examination; proceed immediately unless natural recess timing.
Juror questions allowed in civil trials; in criminal trials only if all parties agree.
Interim statements permitted for lengthy trials.
No contact with jurors after trial without court permission.
Counsel may approach witnesses without permission.
No speaking objections; only brief objections like irrelevant, asked and answered, hearsay.
No contact with jury after verdict without court permission.
Criminal defendants must attend pretrial conference unless personally waived.
Pretrial submissions due five business days before conference.
Witness identity must be disclosed at least one day before trial day.
All exhibits must be provided to opposing counsel, Court, and witnesses before trial.
Chambers can be reached by telephone at (312) 435-5630.
Chambers can be reached by fax at (312) 777-3810.
The Courtroom Deputy (Chez Chambers) can be reached by telephone at (312) 435-6051.
Objections to the preliminary jury instructions and requests for variation must be brought to the Court's attention at or before the final pretrial conference.
Joint status report on settlement required within 14 days of minute order.
Joint status report must address 6 specific settlement issues.
Pre-conference settlement letters must be emailed to chambers on same day as opposing counsel.
Plaintiff’s settlement letter must include summary of evidence and legal principles.
Settlement letters limited to 6 pages (excluding exhibits).
Counsel must provide settlement letters to clients before conference.
Courtesy copies not required for settlement letters.
Settlement conferences can only be rescheduled by court order with 14-day advance written motion and supporting affidavit.