Northern District of Illinois Chambers Communication Rules

No contact with jurors after trial without court permission.

Source text: (xiv) Counsel are not permitted to contact jurors after trial without permission of the Court.

No contact with jury after verdict without court permission.

Source text: 22. talking to jury after verdict

Joint documents must be filed on docket and emailed in Word format to specific mailbox.

Source text: Joint documents of the joint pretrial statement, proposed voir dire, jury instructions and verdict forms must be both filed on the docket and also submitted in Word format to Judge Rowland’s proposed order mailbox: Proposed_Order_Rowland@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

Parties must contact Court systems department 3 weeks before trial for evidence presentation needs.

Source text: At least three weeks prior to trial, the parties shall contact the Court’s systems department (312-435-6045) to coordinate any specific evidence presentation needs.

Settlement statements must be emailed to specific court address.

Source text: All settlement statements should be sent to the Court via the following email address: Settlement_Correspondence_McShain@ilnd.uscourts.gov

Parties must email settlement letters to chambers on same day as opposing counsel with specific subject line format.

Source text: 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.

Parties must attend in person or via videoconference, not by phone.

Source text: The Court will not permit a party, party representative, or an insurance representative merely to be available by telephone during the conference.

Parties must submit settlement letters to the Court via email to the provided chambers address upon sending to opposing counsel.

Source text: Upon submission to the other side, the parties also are required to submit their settlement letters to the Court by e-mail to Settlement_Correspondence_BassEhler@ilnd.uscourts.gov

Counsel responsible for settlement must participate in the initial status hearing, identify attendees with settlement authority, and raise inability to pay at the initial hearing.

Source text: The Court generally will hold an initial status hearing or conference call to set dates for the settlement conference and the exchange of settlement letters. Counsel primarily responsible for representing the parties during the settlement conference must participate in this status hearing or call. Counsel will be expected to identify the individuals who will participate (i.e., not just available via phone) in the settlement conference with settlement authority on behalf of their respective clients, including any insurers, consistent with the requirements of this Standing Order. If a party is claiming an inability or hindrance to pay a judgment, counsel must raise it at this initial hearing and provide verification of that assertion prior to any settlement conference.

Final pretrial conference held 10 days before trial; lead counsel must attend.

Source text: A final pretrial conference will be held approximately ten (10) days prior to trial. The purpose of this conference shall be to avoid surprises and to simplify the trial. At the conference, Judge Holleb Hotaling will address pending motions in limine, objections to witnesses and exhibits, and contested jury instructions, and will discuss trial procedures and scheduling. Lead trial counsel fully prepared and with authority to discuss all aspects of the case must attend.

Settlement statements must be emailed to specific court address.

Source text: All settlement statements should be sent to the Court via the following email address: Settlement_Correspondence_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

Rescheduling or cancellation requires email to chambers as soon as possible.

Source text: If the parties must reschedule, or if they conclude that a settlement conference is not necessary at this time, they should inform chambers (via email to Chambers_McNally@ilnd.uscourts.gov) as soon as possible.

Lead trial counsel must attend final pretrial conference.

Source text: Lead trial counsel fully prepared and with authority to discuss all aspects of the case must attend.

Settlement letters must be emailed to court, not filed with clerk.

Source text: Plaintiff’s counsel shall electronically submit copies of these letters to the Court at Proposed_Order_Valdez@ilnd.uscourts.gov by the date ordered. DO NOT FILE COPIES OF THESE LETTERS IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE.

Settlement conferences held remotely on Webex unless otherwise ordered.

Source text: All conferences will be held remotely on the Webex platform unless otherwise ordered.

Settlement letters must be emailed to specific address, not filed with Clerk or on CM/ECF.

Source text: All settlement letters submitted to the Court should be emailed to the Court at Settlement_Correspondence_Iasparro@ilnd.uscourts.gov. As a reminder, do not file copies of settlement correspondence in the Clerk’s Office or on the CM/ECF system.

Jurors must submit written requests to the Court Security Officer, signed by the foreperson or another juror.

Source text: If you do, however, the only proper way is to give the Court Security Officer a written request, signed by the foreperson, or by some other juror if the foreperson is unwilling to do so.

Jurors must not disclose their numerical division in any communication to the court.

Source text: I caution you, however, with regard to any message or question you might send, that you should never state or specify your numerical division at the time.

Jury must communicate with judge only in writing, signed by presiding juror or another juror, delivered to marshal.

Source text: I do not anticipate that you will need to communicate with me. If you do need to communicate with me, the only proper way is in writing. The writing must be signed by the presiding juror, or, if he or she is unwilling to do so, by some other juror. The writing should be given to the marshal, who will give it to me. I will respond either in writing or by having you return to the courtroom so that I can respond orally.

No communication with jurors without court permission.

Source text: Pursuant to Local Criminal Rule 31.1, no party, agent or counsel shall communicate with any member of a jury without first receiving permission of the court.

Lawyers must obtain court leave before contacting jurors.

Source text: Pursuant to Local Rule 48.1, no lawyer or agent thereof shall ask questions or make comments to a juror without first obtaining leave of court.

Cases must not be tried in news media; court will protect fair trial rights.

Source text: Cases will not be tried in the news media and the court will insure the rights of the parties to a fair trial.

No speaking objections; only brief objections like irrelevant, asked and answered, hearsay.

Source text: 21. no speaking objections, unless requested; just – irrelevant, asked and answered, hearsay

Parties must inform chambers promptly if settlement conference needs rescheduling or cancellation.

Source text: If the parties are required to reschedule or if they have concluded that a settlement conference is not necessary, they should inform chambers as soon as possible.

Evidence projection systems require 4-week advance request to Alexander Zeier.

Source text: The Court has a limited number of evidence projection systems, which may or may not be available. Parties who would like access to evidence projection systems are advised to make a request as early as possible (four weeks prior to trial is suggested) to Alexander Zeier, the Courtroom Technology Administrator. He may be reached at (312) 435-6045. Parties will be permitted to use their own evidence projection systems, upon reasonable terms, if a request is made in advance of trial.

Parties must email chambers to reschedule or cancel settlement conference.

Source text: If the parties must reschedule, or if they conclude that a settlement conference is not necessary at this time, they should inform chambers (via email to Chambers_McShain@ilnd.uscourts.gov) as soon as possible.

Parties must promptly notify Court if settlement reached, conference rescheduled, or deemed unnecessary.

Source text: On occasion, the exchange of settlement letters will lead directly to a settlement. If it does, the parties are to notify the Court as soon possible so we may attempt to schedule another case in your time slot. Similarly, if the parties must reschedule, or have concluded that a settlement conference is not necessary or helpful at this time, they should inform Chambers as soon as possible.

Jury should not indicate numerical division in written communications to judge.

Source text: [If you do communicate with me, you should not indicate in your note what your numerical division is, if any.]

Court has limited evidence projection systems; request in advance from Joe Novak at (312) 435-6045; parties may use own systems with advance request.

Source text: The Court has a limited number of evidence projection systems, which may or may not be available for use on particular dates. Parties desiring access to the Court’s evidence projection systems are advised to submit a request as far in advance as possible to Joe Novak, the Courtroom Technology Administrator. Mr. Novak may be reached at (312) 435-6045. Parties will be permitted to use their own evidence projection systems, upon reasonable terms, if a request is made in advance of trial.

Contact Systems Department at 312.435.6045 for courtroom display technology instruction.

Source text: If you need instruction on the courtroom display technology equipment, please call the Systems Department (312.435.6045) within the Clerk's Office.

Counsel may approach witnesses without permission.

Source text: 20. can always approach witness without permission

Settlement conferences conducted remotely via video conferencing unless otherwise ordered.

Source text: Unless otherwise ordered, all settlement conferences will be conducted remotely via video conferencing.

Initial status conference scheduled approximately 45 days after complaint filing.

Source text: The initial status conference will be set by minute order and ordinarily will be held approximately 45 days after the filing of the complaint.

Digital evidence projection system available; training recommended 4 weeks before trial.

Source text: The courtroom is equipped with a digital evidence projection system. The Court expects parties to be familiar with and use this system. As early as possible prior to trial (four weeks prior to trial is suggested), counsel should contact Alexander Zeier, the Courtroom Technology Administrator, to schedule a training session. He may be reached at (312) 435-6045.

Parties must promptly notify Judge Ellis' courtroom deputy about rescheduling or cancellation.

Source text: If the parties are required to reschedule or if they have concluded that a settlement conference is not necessary, they must inform Judge Ellis’ courtroom deputy as soon as possible.

Counsel may request technology test run with Courtroom Deputy days before conference.

Source text: Any counsel may email the Courtroom Deputy for a test run several days before the conference if they are concerned about the technology.

Settlement letters must be emailed to specific address and are not part of court record.

Source text: 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.

Parties must email Courtroom Deputy if settlement conference is no longer necessary.

Source text: 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.

Counsel encouraged to meet in person or by phone to discuss joint status report; discouraged from trading dueling drafts by email.

Source text: Counsel are encouraged to meet in person or by telephone to discuss the joint status report. Trading dueling draft reports by email without any other communication is discouraged.

Court conducts ex parte communications about settlement letters; telephonic communications docketed, email follow-ups may not be.

Source text: As part of the pre-settlement process, the Court frequently conducts ex parte conversations with any party about the issues raised in its letter or the productivity of any settlement conference. The Court typically notifies counsel before beginning ex parte communications, begins such communications with ex parte telephone calls with both sides, and makes a docket entry to reflect each telephonic communication. The Court will not necessarily make a docket entry for each follow-up ex parte email communication.

Evidence projection systems are limited and requests should be made to Courtroom Deputy.

Source text: The Court has a limited number of evidence projection systems which may or may not be available depending on how early a request is made. Any such request should be made to Judge Weisman's Courtroom Deputy.

Parties may use own projection systems with advance request.

Source text: Parties will be permitted to use their own projection systems (upon reasonable terms) if a request is made in advance of trial.

Judge will respond to juror requests in writing or by recalling them to court.

Source text: I will then respond as promptly as possible, either in writing or by having you return to the courtroom so that I can respond orally.

Preliminary injunction hearings scheduled Wednesdays/Fridays at 10:30 AM via teleconference unless good cause shown.

Source text: The court sets preliminary injunction hearings on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. All such hearings will be held by teleconference unless a litigant shows good cause for holding an in-person hearing.

Hearing requests via email to Chambers_Gottschall@ilnd.uscourts.gov with all counsel copied.

Source text: A hearing may be requested by sending an email message copying all counsel of record to Chambers_Gottschall@ilnd.uscourts.gov.