Source: http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/LocalRules.aspx?uXo17OGYNv4=
Timestamp: 2017-06-26 00:20:01
Document Index: 517184325

Matched Legal Cases: ['§290', '§1116', '§ 1915', '§ 405', '§ 2254', '§3730', '§ 3730', '§ 3730', '§ 3730', '§ 405', '§ 1383', '§3410', '§1927', '§ 1051', '§2403', '§1782', '§137', '§1331', '§ 405', '§157', '§157', '§157', '§158', '§158', '§1867', '§1920', '§1915', '§1916', '§153', '§1961', '§2041', '§636', '§1983', '§1983', '§1983', '§1447', '§2241', '§2254', '§2255', '§2254', '§2255', '§ 2254', '§ 2255', '§2255', '§ 2255', '§2255', '§2255', '§2242', '§1404', '§1404', '§1404', '§ 652', '§1914', '§401']

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Local RulesRules and Standards for Professional ConductLocal Admiralty RulesPilot Project Regarding Initial Discovery Protocols for Employment Cases Alleging Adverse ActionLocal Criminal RulesLocal Patent RulesInternal Operating ProceduresAlternative Dispute Resolution (Western Division) Local RuleFormsAppendices Local Rule (a)
Plaintiff’s Counsel to File Designation Sheet. At the time of filing a
case, plaintiff's counsel, or if the case is filed pro se, the plaintiff shall
file with the original papers a completed designation sheet (civil cover
sheet). If the case is filed by a person in custody, the staff law clerk or prisoner
correspondence clerk shall complete the designation sheet.
(b) List of Associated Bankruptcy Matters. Pursuant to LR40.3.1, the person filing the petition for withdrawal of
reference, report and recommendation, appeal, motion for leave to appeal, or application
for a writ shall complete the designation sheet required by LR3.1 and shall
include on the sheet a list of any associated bankruptcy cases, adversary
proceedings, non-core proceedings, appeals or motions for leave to appeal, or
application for a writ from such proceedings previously assigned to one or more
Identification of Multidistrict Litigation Proceedings. Where a case is filed as
a tag-along to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding that is before a
judge of this Court, the person filing the designation sheet shall, at the same
time, file an affidavit identifying the number assigned to the MDL proceeding
by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation and the name of the presiding
Amended February 25, 2005; April 2, 2012 LR 3.1. Designation Sheet LR 3.1. Designation Sheet Definition. For purposes of this rule, "affiliate" is defined to include: A. In the case of a corporation, any entity owning more than 5% of the corporation.B. In the case of a general partnership, joint venture, LLC, LLLP, or LLP, any member.C. In the case of any other unincorporated association, any corporate memberIf any such affiliate is itself a partnership, joint venture, LLC, LLLP, LLP or any other unincorporated association, its "affiliates" (as defined above) shall also be included within the definition of "affiliate"(a) Who Must File. Any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, shall file a statement identifying all its publicly held affiliates. If a non- governmental party has no publicly held affiliates, a statement shall be filed to that effect.(b) Time for Filing. A party must file the statement with the complaint or answer, or upon filing a motion, response, or petition, whichever occurs first. The statement is to be attached to the document being filed. A supplement to the statement shall be filed within a reasonable period of time of any change in the information reported. Adopted April 20, 2007 LR 3.2. Notification as to Affiliates LR 3.2. Notification as to Affiliates (a) Definitions. The following
definitions shall apply to this rule:(1) “IFP petition” means a
petition for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, i.e., without
prepayment of prescribed fees.(2) “Financial affidavit”
means the form of affidavit of financial status prescribed by the Court.(b) Prepayment Required. Any document submitted for filing for
which a filing fee is required must be accompanied either by the appropriate
fee or an IFP petition. Not withstanding this provision, the clerk will file
any document including a complaint in a civil action, a notice of appeal, or
other document for which a filing fee is prescribed, without prepayment, but
such filings shall be subject to the sanctions set forth in section (e) of this
Rule.(c) Filing in forma
pauperis. The IFP
petition and the financial affidavit shall be filed and assigned to a judge.
The complaint shall be stamped received as of the date presented. The clerk
shall promptly forward the IFP petition and all other papers to the judge to
whom it is assigned.(d) Date of filing. If the judge grants the IFP
petition, the complaint shall be filed as of the date of the judge’s order
except that where the complaint must be filed within a time limit and the order
granting leave to file is entered after the expiration of that time limit, the
complaint shall be deemed to have been filed:(1) in the case of any
plaintiff in custody, as of the time of the plaintiff’s delivery of the
complaint to the custodial authorities for transmittal to the court; or(2) in the case of any other
plaintiff, as of the time the complaint was received by the clerk.(e) Notice of fees due;
sanctions. Upon
denial of an IFP petition, the clerk shall notify the person filing the
documents of the amount of fees due. If the required fees are not paid within
15 days of the date of such notification, or within such other time as may be
fixed by the court, the clerk shall notify the judge before whom the matter is
pending of the nonpayment. The court may then apply such sanctions as it
determines necessary including dismissal of the action.(f) Order Granting IFP
Petition. Where an
order is entered granting the IFP petition, that order shall, unless
otherwise ordered by the court, stand as authority for the United States
Marshal to serve summonses without prepayment of the required fees. LR 3.3. Payment of Fees in Advance, In Forma Pauperis Matters, Sanctions LR 3.3. Payment of Fees in Advance, In Forma Pauperis Matters, Sanctions In order to
assist the clerk in complying with the requirement to notify the commissioner,
any party filing a pleading, complaint, or counterclaim which raises for the
first time a claim arising under the patent
and trademark laws of the United States (U.S. Code, Titles 15 and 35) shall
file with the pleading, complaint, or counterclaim a separate notice of claims
involving patents or trademarks. That notice shall include for each patent the
information required by 35 U.S.C. §290; and for each trademark the information
required by 15 U.S.C. §1116(c).
LR 3.4. Notice of Claims Involving Patents or Trademarks LR 3.4. Notice of Claims Involving Patents or Trademarks In civil matters in which the plaintiff is authorized to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, service shall be accomplished in the manner set forth in the subsections below.(a) Service upon the United States, an agency of the United States, or officials of the United States or its agencies in their official capacity, shall be accomplished by plaintiff by registered or certified mail pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.4(i), except in certain cases under the Social Security Act that are described in subsection (b).(b) Where a complaint for administrative review is filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) concerning benefits under the Social Security Act, unless otherwise ordered, by agreement with the United States Attorney, no service of initial process (i.e., summons and complaint) shall be required in any case (not limited to in forma pauperis cases). The Social Security Administration will treat notification through the court’s Case Management and Electronic Filing System (CM/ECF) as service under Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.(c) In all cases where a petitioner has filed a habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, regardless of whether or not the $5 filing fee has been paid, service will be pursuant to the agreement, set forth in Appendix 1 to these Local Rules, between the Attorney General of Illinois and the Court.(d) In any action in which the U.S. Marshal has been designated to effectuate service, the U.S. Marshal is requested to send the complaint and appropriate papers for waiver of service to the named defendant (including defendant federal officials sued in their individual capacities) pursuant to Rule 4(d). If a defendant neither returns the waiver nor files a responsive pleading within the required time, the Court will notify the U.S. Marshal of the need for personal service on that defendant. If the U.S. Marshal then effects personal service on the defendant, the Court will impose the costs of service on the defendant consistent with Fed.R.Civ.P.4(d)(2).(e) In actions in which the U.S. Marshal has been designated to effectuate service pursuant to this rule, the following time limits shall apply to waiver of service notice and requests:(1) The notice and request for waiver of service shall allow the defendant a reasonable time to return the waiver, which shall be 30 days after the date on which the request is sent or 60 days after that date if the defendant is addressed outside any judicial district of the United States.(2) A defendant that, before being served with process, timely returns a waiver so requested, is not required to serve an answer to the complaint until 60 days after the date on which the request for waiver of service was sent, or 90 days after that date if the defendant was addressed outside any judicial district of the United States.Amended October 2, 2012. LR 4. Service in In Forma Pauperis Cases LR 4. Service in In Forma Pauperis Cases Except as
otherwise ordered, all filings shall be made in the divisional office of the
division to which the case is assigned provided that a document initiating a
case that should be filed in one of the divisions of this Court may be
presented for filing to the assignment clerk of the other division. In such
instances, the person filing the document should clearly indicate that it is to
be filed in the other division. The case will be numbered and assigned as if it
were filed in the proper division. Following the assignment, the clerk will
promptly forward the papers to the proper divisional office.
LR 5.1. Place of Filing, Division LR 5.1. Place of Filing, Division a)
Electronic Filing Permitted. The
court will accept for filing documents submitted, signed, or verified by
electronic means that comply with procedures established by the court as set
forth in the General Order on Electronic Case
Filing or other similar order.Where
a document is submitted in an electronic format pursuant to procedures
established by the court, submitted in both electronic and paper formats, or
submitted in paper and subsequently produced in an electronic format by court
staff, the electronic version shall be the court's official record. Where a
document is submitted in paper format without an electronic version being
produced, the paper version shall be the court's official record. Where the
electronic version of a document is a redacted version of an unredacted paper
document, the unredacted paper version shall be the court's official record.(b)
Redaction of Transcripts Filed Electronically. If a party or an attorney for a party files a written
request to redact specific portions of a transcript pursuant to either Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2 or Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 49.1, the
court reporter is ordered by the Court to make that redaction. Any other
redaction request must be made by motion to the court.(c)
Paper and Font Size. Each
paper original filed and each paper judge's copy shall be flat and unfolded on
opaque, unglazed, white paper 8½ x 11 inches in size. It shall be plainly
written, typed, printed, or prepared by means of a duplicating process, without
erasures or interlineations which materially deface it.Where
the document is typed, line spacing will be at least 2.0 lines. Where it is
typed or printed,(1)
the size of the type in the body of the text shall be 12 points and that in
footnotes, no less than 11 points, and (2) the margins, left-hand, right-hand, top, and bottom, shall each be a
minimum of 1 inch.(d)
Binding and Tabs. Each paper
original shall be bound or secured at the top edge of the document by a staple
or a removable metal paper fastener inserted through two holes. A paper
original shall not have a front or back cover. A paper original shall not have
protruding tabs. Exhibits or tabs that are part of the paper original shall be
indicated in bold type on a single sheet of paper placed immediately before the
corresponding exhibit or attachment. Unless not reasonably feasible, exhibits
to paper originals shall be 8½ x 11 inches in size. A judge's paper copy shall
be bound on the left side and shall include protruding tabs for exhibits. A
list of exhibits must be provided for each document that contains more than one
exhibit.(e)
Documents Not Complying May be Stricken. Any
document that does not comply with this rule shall be filed subject to being
stricken by the court.(f)
Judge’s Copy. Each person or
party filing a paper version of a pleading, motion, or document, other than an
appearance form, motion to appear pro hac vice , or return of service,
shall file, in addition to the original, a copy for use by the court, with the
exception of documents filed by Persons in Custody. A Person in Custody need
not file a judge’s copy. Where a filing is made electronically of a pleading,
motion, or document other than an appearance form or return of service, a paper
copy shall be provided for the judge within one business day, if the electronically
filed document, including all exhibits, exceeds ten pages in length; provided,
however, that any judge may, by standing order or by order in any case,
dispense with this requirement for documents of greater length or, in the
alternative, may direct that counsel submit a paper copy of any filing,
regardless of length. Delivery of paper copies by overnight mail satisfies this
requirement. Every judge’s paper copy must be bound and tabbed as required by
November 22, 2013 LR 5.2. Form of Documents Filed LR 5.2. Form of Documents Filed (a) Service. Except in the case of an emergency or
unless otherwise ordered, written notice of the intent to present a motion, or
an objection to a magistrate judge’s order or report under F.
R.Civ.P. 72, specifying the date on which the motion or objection is to be
presented, a copy of the motion or objection and any accompanying documents
must be served as follows:(1) Personal service. Personal service must be accomplished
no later than 4:00 p.m. of the second business day preceding the date of
presentment. Personal service shall include actual delivery within the time
specified by this section by a service organization providing for delivery
within a specified time (e.g., overnight service) or by electronic transmission
pursuant to F. R.Civ.P. 5(b)(2)(D) and 5(b)(3).
(2) Mail service. Where the service is by mail, the
notice and documents shall be mailed at least seven days before the date of
presentment. Ex parte motions and agreed motions or objections may be presented
(b) Presentment. Every motion or objection shall be
accompanied by a notice of presentment specifying the date and time on which,
and judge before whom, the motion or objection is to be presented. The date of
presentment shall be not more than 14 days following the date on which the
motion or objection is delivered to the court pursuant to LR78.1. Amended October
2, 2002; March 27, 2003; November 19, 2009
LR 5.3. Motions: Notice of Motions and Objections LR 5.3. Motions: Notice of Motions and Objections Filing of papers shall be with the
clerk unless a particular judge has provided for filing in the judge’s
chambers. The clerk shall maintain a list of the delivery requirements of each
judge and post a copy in a public area of the clerk’s office. Where a motion
is delivered to the clerk that does not comply with the scheduling requirements
established by the judge pursuant to LR78.1 or is scheduled before a judge who, pursuant to this
rule, has directed that the motions are to be delivered to the minute clerk
assigned to the judge or to the judge’s chambers, the clerk shall inform the
person offering the motion of the correct procedure. If the person insists on
delivering it to the clerk, the clerk shall accept it and attach to it a note
indicating that the person delivering it was advised of the scheduling or
LR 5.4. Motions: Filing Notice & Motion LR 5.4. Motions: Filing Notice & Motion (a) General. Proof of service of all papers
required or permitted to be served shall, unless some other method is expressly
required by these rules or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, be made in the
following manner:(1) if the person serving the papers is
an attorney of record in the case, by certificate;
(2) if the person serving the papers is
not an attorney of record in the case, by affidavit, or by written
acknowledgment of service, or by any other proof satisfactory to the court;
(3) if the case is one for which the General Order on Electronic Case Filing applies, in the
manner set forth in that General Order under the heading entitled "Service
of Documents by Electronic Means".
(b) Certificate of
Service. Each
document other than one filed ex parte shall be accompanied by a
certificate of service indicating the date and manner of services and a
statement that copies of documents required to be served by Fed.R.Civ.P.
5(a) have been served. Where the service was by FAX, the certificate shall
be accompanied by a copy of the transaction statement produced by the FAX
machine. Such transaction statement shall include the date and time of service,
the telephone number to which the documents were transmitted, and an
acknowledgment from the receiving FAX machine that the transmission was
received or, in the event that the receiving FAX machine did not produce the
acknowledgment to the transmitting FAX machine, an affidavit or, if by an
attorney, a certificate setting forth the date and time of service and
telephone number to which documents were transmitted.
(c) Filing by FAX Not
Permitted. Documents
to be filed with the court may not be transmitted to the court by FAX. The only
means of filing documents with the court by electronic means is in accordance
with LR 5.2(a) and the General Order on Electronic Case Filing or other similar
(d) Ex Parte
Motion. A motion for
an ex parte order shall be accompanied by an affidavit showing cause
therefor and stating whether or not a previous application for similar relief
LR 5.5. Proof of Service LR 5.5. Proof of Service No pleading, motion [except
for motion to intervene], or other document shall be filed in any case by any
person who is not a party thereto, unless approved by the court. Absent such an
order, the clerk shall not accept any document tendered by a person who is not
a party. Should any such document be accepted inadvertently or by mistake in
the absence of such an order, it may be stricken by the court on its own motion
LR 5.6. Filing Documents by Non-parties LR 5.6. Filing Documents by Non-parties (a) General. The clerk is authorized to accept a complaint for filing and treat that complaint and the accompanying papers as if they were restricted pursuant to LR26.2 where the complaint is accompanied by a written request containing the following:(1) the name, address, and signature of the party or counsel making the request;(2) a statement indicating that the party believes that due to special circumstance which the party will promptly bring to the attention of the judge to whom the case is to be assigned, it is necessary to restrict access to the case at filing;(3) a statement that the party is aware that absent an order extending or setting aside the sealing, the file and its contents will become public on the seventh day following the date of filing; and(4) the attorney’s or party’s e-mail address if the attorney or party is registered as a Filing User of electronic case filing, the caption of the case, and the title of the document. Absent any order to the contrary, the contents of the case file shall be treated as restricted documents as defined by LR26.2 for seven days following the day on which the complaint was filed. Except as otherwise ordered, on the seventh day the file will no longer be treated as restricted.(b) Filings Under 31 U.S.C. §3730. The procedures set forth in section (a) shall also be followed in filing complaints in camera pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730 with the following modifications: (1) the person presenting the complaint for filing in camera shall state in the instructions to the assignment clerk that the complaint is being filed pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730; and (2) unless otherwise ordered by the court, the matter shall remain restricted for the period specified in 31 U.S.C. § 3730. Committee Comment LR5.7 is amended to ensure it is in compliance with LR26.2 – Restricted Documents Amended April 20, 2006 LR 5.7. Filing Cases Under Seal LR 5.7. Filing Cases Under Seal Any document to be filed
under seal shall be filed in compliance with procedures established by the
Clerk of Court and approved by the Executive Committee. Where pursuant to court
order as a restricted or sealed document as defined by LR26.2 is not filed electronically, it must be accompanied
by a cover sheet which shall include the following:(A) the caption of the case,
including the case number;(B) the title "Sealed Document Pursuant to LR26.2";(C) a statement indicating that the document is filed under seal in accordance
with an order of court and the date of that order; and (D) the signature of the attorney of record or unrepresented party filing the
document, the attorney's or party's name and address, including e-mail address
if the attorney or party is registered as a Filing User of electronic case
filing, and the title of the document.Any document purporting to be
a sealed document as defined in LR26.2 that is not filed in compliance with
such procedures shall be processed like any other document. In such instances,
where the document has not been filed electronically, the clerk is authorized
to open the sealed envelope and remove the materials for processing. Amended April 20, 2004; November 5,
2009; May 18, 2012
LR 5.8. Filing Materials Under Seal LR 5.8. Filing Materials Under Seal in
accordance with the general order on electronic case filing and subject to the provisions
of fed. r. civ. p. 5(b)(3), the notice
of electronic filing that is issued through the court's electronic case filing system will constitute service as to
all filing users in a case assigned to the court's
electronic case filing system.
Amended 10/24/16
LR 5.9. Service by Electronic Means LR 5.9. Service by Electronic Means Neither
a brief in support of or in opposition to any motion nor objections to a report
and recommendation or order of a magistrate judge or special master shall
exceed 15 pages without prior approval of the court. Briefs that exceed the 15
page limit must have a table of contents with the pages noted and a table of
cases. Any brief or objection that does not comply with this rule shall be
filed subject to being stricken by the court.
LR 7.1. Briefs: Page Limit LR 7.1. Briefs: Page Limit Where a
complaint for judicial review is filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g) and/or 42 U.S.C. § 1383(c)(3);(a) The complaint shall include the full Social Security number of the
plaintiff, including that of a minor plaintiff not otherwise identified by his
or her full name. If the plaintiff’s application for Social Security benefits
was filed on another person’s wage-record, that person’s Social Security number
shall also be included in the complaint.(b) The Social Security Administration’s filing of the certified administrative
record, in and of itself, shall suffice as the agency’s answer to the
complaint. Amended January 31, 2014; May 23, 2014
LR 8.1. Social Security Cases: Notice of Social Security Number LR 8.1. Social Security Cases: Notice of Social Security Number The
party instituting an action requiring a three-judge court shall advise the
clerk that such a court is requested and shall specify the statute involved. In
such cases counsel shall furnish the clerk with three additional copies of all
pleadings filed and all briefs submitted.
LR 9.1. Three Judge Cases LR 9.1. Three Judge Cases Responsive
pleadings shall be made in numbered paragraphs each corresponding to and
stating a concise summary of the paragraph to which it is directed.
LR10.1 Responsive Pleadings LR10.1 Responsive Pleadings (a)
Standing Order & Form. Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
16, the Court has adopted a standing order on pretrial procedures together
with model pretrial order forms. Copies of the standing order and forms shall be
available from the clerk [see appendix]. The procedures set forth in the
standing order, except for the need to prepare the pretrial order itself, shall
apply to all civil cases except for those in categories enumerated in section
(b) of this rule. As to all other cases, a pretrial order shall be prepared
whenever the judge to whom a case is assigned so orders.(b) Exempted Classes of Cases. The pretrial procedures
adopted pursuant to section (a) of this rule shall not apply to the following
classes of civil cases (The statistical nature of suit (“NS”) codes are shown
in parentheses following the class of cases.):(1)
Recovery of overpayments and student loan cases (NS: 150, 152, 153);(2)
Mortgage foreclosure cases (NS: 220);(3)
Prisoner petitions (NS: 510, 520, 530, 540, 550);(4)
U.S. forfeiture/penalty cases (NS: 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 690);(5)
Bankruptcy appeals and transfers (NS: 420, 421);(6)
Deportation reviews (NS: 460);(7)
ERISA: Collections of Delinquent Contributions;(8)
Social Security reviews (NS: 861, 862, 863, 864, 865);(9)
Tax suits & IRS third party (NS: 870, 871);(10)
Customer challenges 12 U.S.C. §3410 (NS: 875); or(11)
cases brought under the Agricultural
Acts, Economic Stabilization Act, Energy Allocation Act, Freedom of Information Act,
Appeal of Fee Determination Under Equal Access to Justice Act, NARA Title II
(NS: 891, 892, 894, 895, 900, 970) Not
withstanding the provisions of this rule, a pretrial order shall be prepared
whenever the judge to whom a case is assigned so orders. Amended
LR16.1.1 Pretrial Procedures LR16.1.1 Pretrial Procedures 1. IntroductionThis pretrial procedure is intended to secure a just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of the issues. If the type of procedure described below does not appear calculated to achieve these ends in this case, counsel should seek an immediate conference with the judge and opposing counsel so that alternative possibilities may be discussed. Failure of either party to comply with the substance or the spirit of this Standing Order may result in dismissal of the action, default or other sanctions appropriate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 or 37, 28 U.S.C. §1927 or any other applicable provisions.Parties should also be aware that there may be variances in the forms and procedures used by each of the judges in implementing these procedures. Accordingly, parties should contact the minute clerk for the assigned judge for a copy of any standing order of that judge modifying these procedures.2. Scheduling ConferenceWithin 60 days after the appearance of a defendant and within 90 days after the complaint has been served on a defendant in each civil case (other than categories of cases excepted by local Civil Rule 16.1), the court will usually set a scheduling conference (ordinarily in the form of a status hearing) as required by Fed.R.Civ.P. 16. At the conference, counsel should be fully prepared and have authority to discuss any questions regarding the case, including questions raised by the pleadings, jurisdiction, venue, pending motions, motions contemplated to be filed, the contemplated joinder of additional parties, the probable length of time needed for discovery and the possibility of settlement of the case. Counsel will have the opportunity to discuss any problems confronting them, including the need for time in which to prepare for trial.3. Procedures for Complex or Protracted DiscoveryIf at any time during the scheduling conference or later status, hearings it appears that complex or protracted discovery will be sought, the court may(a) determine that the Manual on Complex Litigation 2d be used as a guide for procedures to be followed in the case, or(b) determine that discovery should proceed by phases, or(c) require that the parties develop a joint written discovery plan under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26 (f).If the court elects to proceed with phased discovery, the first phase will address information necessary to evaluate the case, lay the foundation for a motion to dismiss or transfer, and explore settlement. At the end of the first phase, the court may require the parties to develop a joint written discovery plan under Fed.R.Civ.P. 26 (f) and this Standing Order.If the court requires parties to develop a discovery plan, such plan shall be as specific as possible concerning dates, time, and places discovery will be sought and as to the names of persons whose depositions will be taken. It shall also specify the parties' proposed discovery closing date. Once approved by the court, the plan may be amended only for good cause. Where the parties are unable to agree on a joint discovery plan, each shall submit a plan to the court. After reviewing the separate plans, the court may take such action as it deems appropriate to develop the plan.Where appropriate, the court may also set deadlines for filing and a time framework for the disposition of motions.4. Discovery Closing DateIn cases subject to this Standing Order, the court will, at an appropriate point, set a discovery closing date. Except to the extent specified by the court on motion of either party, discovery must be completed before the discovery closing date. Discovery requested before the discovery closing date, but not scheduled for completion before the discovery closing date, does not comply with this order.5. SettlementCounsel and the parties are directed to undertake a good faith effort to settle that includes a thorough exploration of the prospects of settlement before undertaking the extensive labor of preparing the Order provided for in the next paragraph. The court may require that representatives of the parties with authority to bind them in settlement discussions be present or available by telephone during any settlement conference.If the parties wish the court to participate in a settlement conference, counsel should ask the court or the minute clerk to schedule such conference. In a case where the trial will be conducted without a jury, particularly as the case nears the date set for trial, the preferred method of having the court preside over settlement talks is for the assigned judge to arrange for another judge to preside or to refer the task to a magistrate judge. If the case has not been settled and is placed on the court's trial calendar, settlement possibilities should continue to be explored throughout the period before trial. If the case is settled, counsel shall notify the minute clerk promptly and notice up the case for final order.6. Final Pretrial OrderThe court will schedule dates for submission of a proposed final pretrial order ( Order ) and final pretrial conference ( Conference ) in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 16. In the period between notice and the date for submission of the pretrial order:(a) Counsel for all parties are directed to meet in order to (1) reach agreement on any possible stipulations narrowing the issues of law and fact, (2) deal with nonstipulated issues in the manner stated in this paragraph and (3) exchange copies of documents that will be offered in evidence at the trial. The court may direct that counsel meet in person (face-to-face). It shall be the duty of counsel for plaintiff to initiate that meeting and the duty of other counsel to respond to plaintiff's counsel and to offer their full cooperation and assistance to fulfill both the substance and spirit of this standing order. If, after reasonable effort, any party cannot obtain the cooperation of other counsel, it shall be his or her duty to advise the court of this fact by appropriate means.(b) Counsels meeting shall be held sufficiently in advance of the date of the scheduled Conference with the court so that counsel for each party can furnish all other counsel with a statement ( Statement ) of the issues the party will offer evidence to support. The Statement will (1) eliminate any issues that appear in the pleadings about which there is no controversy, and (2) include all issues of law as well as ultimate issues of fact from the standpoint of each party.(c) It is the obligation of counsel for plaintiff to prepare from the Statement a draft Order for submission to opposing counsel. Included in plaintiff's obligation for preparation of the Order is submission of it to opposing counsel in ample time for revision and timely filing. Full cooperation and assistance of all other counsel are required for proper preparation of the Order to fulfill both the substance and spirit of this Standing Order. All counsel will jointly submit the original and one copy of the final draft of the Order to the judge's chambers (or in open court, if so directed) on the date fixed for submission.(d) All instructions and footnotes contained within the Final Pretrial Order form promulgated with this Standing Order must be followed. They will be binding on the parties at trial in the same manner as though repeated in the Order. If any counsel believes that any of the instructions and/or footnotes allow for any part of the Order to be deferred until after the Order itself is filed, that counsel shall file a motion seeking leave of court for such deferral.(e) Any pending motions requiring determination in advance of trial (including, without limitation, motions in limine, disputes over specific jury instructions or the admissibility of any evidence at trial upon which the parties desire to present authorities and argument to the court) shall be specifically called to the court's attention not later than the date of submission of the Order.(f) Counsel must consider the following matters during their conference:(1) Jurisdiction (if any question exists in this respect, it must be identified in the Order);(2) Propriety of parties; correctness of identity of legal entities; necessity for appointment of guardian, administrator, executor or other fiduciary, and validity of appointment if already made; correctness of designation of party as partnership, corporation or individual d/b/a trade name; and(3) Questions of misjoinder or nonjoinder of parties.7. Final Pretrial ConferenceAt the Conference each party shall be represented by the attorneys who will try the case (unless before the conference the court grants permission for other counsel to attend in their place). All attending attorneys will familiarize themselves with the pretrial rules and will come to the Conference with full authority to accomplish the purposes of F.R.Civ.P. 16 (including simplifying the issues, expediting the trial and saving expense to litigants). Counsel shall be prepared to discuss settlement possibilities at the Conference without the necessity of obtaining confirmatory authorization from their clients. If a party represented by counsel desires to be present at the Conference, that party's counsel must notify the adverse parties at least one week in advance of the conference. If a party is not going to be present at the Conference, that party's counsel shall use their best efforts to provide that the client can be contacted if necessary. Where counsel represents a governmental body, the court may for good cause shown authorize that counsel to attend the Conference even if unable to enter into settlement without consultation with counsel’s client.8. Extensions of Time for Final Pretrial Order or ConferenceIt is essential that parties adhere to the scheduled dates for the Order and Conference, for the Conference date governs the case's priority for trial. Because of the scarcity of Conference dates, courtesy to counsel in other cases also mandates no late changes in scheduling. Accordingly, no extensions of the Order and Conference dates will be granted without good cause, and no request for extension should be made less than 14 days before the scheduled Conference.9. Action Following Final Pretrial ConferenceAt the conclusion of the Conference the court will enter an appropriate order reflecting the action taken, and the case will be added to the civil trial calendar. Although no further pretrial conference will ordinarily be held thereafter, a final conference may be requested by any of the parties or ordered by the court prior to trial. Any case ready for trial will be subject to trial as specified by the court.10. Documents Promulgated with the Standing OrderAppended to this Standing Order are the following:(a) a form of final pretrial order;(b) a form for use as Schedule (c), the schedule of exhibits for the final pretrial order;(c) a form of pretrial memorandum to be attached to the completed final pretrial order in personal injury cases;(d) a form of pretrial memorandum to be attached to the completed final pretrial order in employment discrimination cases; and (e) guidelines for preparing proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. Each of the forms is annotated to indicate the manner in which it is to be completed. FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM FOR USE IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM FOR USE IN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CASES GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW The above forms are available from the clerk's office. Adopted June 26, 1985; Amended November 27, 1991 and March 9, 1995 LR16.1 . Standing Order Establishing Pretrial Procedure LR16.1 . Standing Order Establishing Pretrial Procedure At
the discretion of the court pretrial conferences or status hearings held
pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(a) may be conducted by telephone or other
appropriate means. The court may require parties to provide written status
reports in advance of any such hearing.
LR16.2. Pretrial Conferences and Status Hearings. LR16.2. Pretrial Conferences and Status Hearings. (a) Program Established. A program for voluntary mediation is
established for cases arising under the Federal
Trademark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051-1127 (“the Lanham Act”). (b) Procedures. The voluntary mediation program shall
follow the procedures approved by the Executive Committee. The procedures
outline the responsibilities of counsel and the parties in cases that are
eligible for the mediation program. Copies of the procedures may be obtained
from the clerk. (c) Confidentiality. All mediation proceedings, including
any statement made by any party, attorney or other participant, shall, in all
respects, be privileged and not reported, recorded, placed in evidence, made
known to the trial court or jury, or construed for any purpose as an admission.
No party shall be bound by anything done or said at the conference unless a
settlement is reached, in which event the settlement shall be reduced to
writing and shall be binding upon all parties.
LR16.3. Voluntary Mediation Program LR16.3. Voluntary Mediation Program Any
proposed settlement of an action brought by or on behalf of an infant or
incompetent shall not become final without written approval by the court in the
form of an order, judgment or decree. The court may authorize payment of
reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses from the amount realized in such an
LR17.1. Actions By or On Behalf of Infants or Incompetents LR17.1. Actions By or On Behalf of Infants or Incompetents In order to
assist the court in its statutory duty under 28 U.S.C. §2403,
counsel raising a question of the constitutionality of an Act of Congress
affecting the public interest shall promptly advise the court in writing of
such fact.
LR24.1. Notice of Claims of Unconstitutionality LR24.1. Notice of Claims of Unconstitutionality Rule 26(f) meetings may be conducted
by telephone. Unless otherwise
(1) parties need not present
outlining the discovery plan at the preliminary pretrial
conference, and (2) the
initial status hearing
shall be the scheduling conference referred
to in Fed.R.Civ.P.16.
LR26.1. Scheduling Conference LR26.1. Scheduling Conference (a) Definitions. As used in this rule the term: "Sealed
document" means a document that the court has directed be maintained under
seal electronically or, where the court allows a sealed document to be filed
non-electronically, within a sealed enclosure such that access to the document
requires breaking the seal of the enclosure; and “Sealing order" means any
order restricting access to one or more documents filed or to be filed with the
court.(b) Sealing Order. The court may for good cause
shown enter an order directing that one or more documents be filed under seal.
No attorney or party may file a document under seal without order of court
specifying the particular document or portion of a document that may be filed
under seal.(c) Sealing Motion for Documents filed Electronically. Any party wishing to file a
document or portion of a document electronically under seal in connection with
a motion, brief or other submission must: (1) provisionally file the document
electronically under seal; (2) file electronically at the same time a
public-record version of the brief, motion or other submission with only the
sealed document excluded; and (3) move the court for leave to file the document
under seal. The sealing motion must be filed before or simultaneously with the
provisional filing of the document under seal, and must be noticed for
presentment promptly thereafter. Any document filed under seal without such a
sealing motion may be stricken by the court without notice.(d) Sealing Motion for Documents not filed Electronically. Where the court has permitted
documents to be filed non-electronically, the party seeking to file a document
under seal must, before filing the document, move the court for a sealing order
specifying the particular document or portion of a document to be filed under
seal. The final paragraph of the order shall state the following information:
(1) the identity of the persons, if any, who are to have access to the
documents without further order of court; and (2) instructions for the
disposition of the restricted documents following the conclusion of the case. A
copy of the sealing order must be included with any document presented for
filing under seal. The attorney or party submitting a restricted document must
file it in a sealed enclosure that conspicuously states on the face of the
enclosure the attorney's or party's name and address, including e-mail address
if the attorney is registered as a Filing User of electronic case filing, the caption
of the case, and the title of the document.(e) Copies Served on Counsel and Judge’s Paper Courtesy Copy. Any sealed document
served on any other party and any judge’s paper courtesy copy must be a
complete version, without any redactions made to create the public-record
version unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown.(f) Docket Entries. The court may on written
motion and for good cause shown enter an order directing that the docket entry
for a sealed document show only that a sealed document was filed without any
notation indicating its nature. Unless the Court directs otherwise, a sealed
document shall be filed pursuant to procedures referenced by Local Rule 5.8.(g) Inspection of Sealed Documents. The clerk shall maintain a
record in a manner provided for by internal operating procedures approved by
the Court of persons permitted access to sealed documents that have not been
filed electronically. Such procedures may require anyone seeking access to show
identification and to sign a statement to the effect that they have been
authorized to examine the sealed document.(h) Disposition of Sealed Non-electronic Documents. When a case is closed in
which an order was entered pursuant to section (b) of this rule, the clerk
shall maintain the documents filed under seal non-electronically as sealed
documents for a period of 63 days following the final disposition including appeals.
Except where the court in response to a request of a party made pursuant to
this section or on its own motion orders otherwise, at the end of the 63 day
period the clerk shall notify the attorney or party who filed the documents
that the documents must be retrieved from the clerk’s office within 30 days of
notification. If the parties do not retrieve the sealed documents within 30
days, the clerk shall destroy the documents. Amended October 2, 2012
LR26.2. Sealed Documents LR26.2. Sealed Documents Except as provided by this
rule, discovery materials, including disclosure of expert testimony, shall not
be filed with the court. The party serving the discovery materials or taking
the deposition shall retain the original and be custodian of it. The court, on
its own motion, on motion of any party, or on application by a non-party, may
require the filing of any discovery materials or may make provisions for a
person to obtain a copy at that person’s own expense. Where discovery materials are
offered into evidence as an exhibit, the attorney producing them will retain
them unless the court orders them deposited with the clerk. Where the court
orders them deposited, they will be treated as exhibits subject to the
provisions of LR79.1.
LR26.3. Discovery Materials Offered in Evidence as Exhibit LR26.3. Discovery Materials Offered in Evidence as Exhibit Where an interested person requests to take the testimony or statement of any person pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1782 for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal, notice to the parties before the foreign or international tribunal must be provided except where the requesting party shows cause why notice could not be given. Where the request is sought by a letter rogatory or request made by a foreign or international tribunal, the request may be made ex parte. Amended June 2, 2011 LR26.4. Testimony for Use in Foreign Tribunals LR26.4. Testimony for Use in Foreign Tribunals An order appointing an
attorney to represent the absent expected adversary party and to cross-examine
the proposed witness pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
27(a)(2) shall set the attorney’s compensation including expenses. The compensation
so set shall be paid by the petitioner prior to the appearance of the appointed
attorney at the examination.
LR27.1. Depositions: Fees for Attorneys Appointed to Represent Absent Party LR27.1. Depositions: Fees for Attorneys Appointed to Represent Absent Party A
party answering interrogatories shall set forth immediately preceding each
answer a full statement of the interrogatory to which the party is responding.
When objecting to an interrogatory or to the answer to an interrogatory, a
party shall set forth the interrogatory or the interrogatories and answer
thereto immediately preceding the objection.
LR33.1. Interrogatories, Form of Answer, Objections LR33.1. Interrogatories, Form of Answer, Objections (a) Commencing Proceedings. A proceeding to adjudicate a person in civil contempt of court, including a case provided for in Fed.R.Civ.P. 37(b)(2)(D), shall be commenced by the service of a notice of motion or order to show cause. The affidavit upon which such notice of motion or order to show cause is based shall set out with particularity the misconduct complained of, the claim, if any, for damages occasioned thereby, and such evidence as to the amount of damages as may be available to the moving party. A reasonable counsel fee, necessitated by the contempt proceeding, may be included as an item of damage. Where the alleged contemnor has appeared in the action by an attorney, the notice of motion or order to show cause and the papers upon which it is based may be served upon that attorney; otherwise service shall be made personally, in the manner provided for by Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 for the service of a summons. If an order to show cause is sought, such order may, upon necessity shown therefor, direct the United States marshal to arrest the alleged contemnor. The order shall fix the amount of bail and shall require that any bond signed by the alleged contemnor include as a condition of release that the alleged contemnor will comply with any order of the court directing the contemnor to surrender.(b) Trial. If the alleged contemnor puts in issue the alleged misconduct giving rise to the contempt proceedings or the damages thereby occasioned, the alleged contemnor shall upon demand therefor be entitled to have oral evidence taken thereon, either before the court or before a master appointed by the court. When by law the alleged contemnor is entitled to a trial by jury, unless a written jury demand is filed by the alleged contemnor on or before the return day or adjourned day of the application, the alleged contemnor will be deemed to have waived a trial by jury.(c) Order Where Found in Contempt. In the event the alleged contemnor is found to be in contempt of court, an order shall be entered—(1) reciting or referring to the verdict or findings of fact upon which the adjudication is based;(2) setting forth the amount of damages to which the complainant is entitled;(3) fixing the fine, if any, imposed by the court, which fine shall include the damages found, and naming the person to whom such fine shall be payable;(4) stating any other conditions, the performance whereof will operate to purge the contempt; and(5) directing the arrest of the contemnor by the United States marshal and the confinement of the contemnor until the performance of the condition fixed in the order and the payment of the fine, or until the contemnor be otherwise discharged pursuant to law.Unless the order otherwise specifies, the place of confinement shall be either the Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, Illinois, or the Winnebago County jail in Rockford, Illinois. No party shall be required to pay or to advance to the marshal any expenses for the upkeep of the prisoner. Upon such an order, no person shall be detained in prison by reason of non-payment of the fine for a period exceeding 6 months. A certified copy of the order committing the contemnor shall be sufficient warrant to the marshal for the arrest and confinement. The aggrieved party shall also have the same remedies against the property of the contemnor as if the order awarding the fine were a final judgment.(d) Discharge Where No Contempt. Where a finding of no contempt is entered, the alleged contemnor shall be discharged from the proceeding. The court may in its discretion for good cause shown enter judgment against the complainant and for the alleged contemnor for the latter’s costs and disbursements and a reasonable counsel fee. LR37.1. Contempts LR37.1. Contempts To
curtail undue delay and expense in the administration of justice, this court
shall hereafter refuse to hear any and all motions for discovery and production
of documents under Rules 26 through 37 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
unless the motion includes a statement (1) that after consultation in person or
by telephone and good faith attempts to resolve differences they are unable to
reach an accord, or (2) counsel's attempts to engage in such consultation were
unsuccessful due to no fault of counsel's. Where the consultation occurred,
this statement shall recite, in addition, the date, time and place of such
conference, and the names of all parties participating therein. Where counsel
was unsuccessful in engaging in such consultation, the statement shall recite
the efforts made by counsel to engage in consultation.
LR37.2. Motion for Discovery and Production LR37.2. Motion for Discovery and Production (a) General. The rules of this Court and any
procedures adopted by the Court that deal with the assignment and reassignment
of cases shall be construed to secure an equitable distribution of cases, both
in quantity and kind, among the judges. Except as specifically provided by the
rules of this Court or by procedures adopted by the Court, the assignment of
cases shall be by lot.(b) Supervision of
Assignment System.
The assignment of cases to calendars and judges and the preparation of
calendars and supplements thereto shall be done solely under the direction of
the Executive Committee by the clerk or a deputy clerk who is designated by the
clerk as an assignment clerk.(c) Contempt. Any person who violates the case
assignment procedures shall be punished for contempt of court.(d) Condition of
Reassignment. No case
shall be transferred or reassigned from the calendar of a judge of this Court
to the calendar of any other judge except as provided by the rules of this
Court or as ordered by the Executive Committee.(e) Calendars. In each Division of the Court there
shall be criminal, civil and Executive Committee calendars. The cases on the
criminal and civil calendars of the court shall be assigned among the judges in
the manner prescribed by the rules of this Court. The cases so assigned shall
constitute the calendars of the judges. The calendar of the Executive Committee
shall consist of the following classes and categories of cases:(1) civil cases to be
transferred to another judge or district for multidistrict litigation pursuant
to procedures adopted by the Court;(2) criminal cases to be held
on the Committee’s Fugitive Calendar pursuant to procedures adopted by the
Court;(3) such cases as are
assigned to the Executive Committee for purposes of reassignment; and(4) such other cases as the
Executive Committee directs be assigned to its calendar.(f) Calendar of Departing
Judge. Cases on the
calendar of a judge who dies, resigns, or retires ("departing judge")
shall be reassigned as soon as possible under the direction of the Executive
Committee, pro rata by lot among the remaining judges, provided that the
Committee may direct that such calendar be transferred in its entirety or in
part to form the calendar of a newly-appointed district judge where the
departing judge was a district judge, or to form the calendar of a
newly-appointed magistrate judge where the departing judge was a magistrate
judge. Referrals pending before a departing magistrate judge shall be
considered returned to the calendar of the district judge before whom the
underlying case is pending, provided that the Executive Committee may direct
that they be maintained as a calendar for a newly-appointed magistrate judge.
Where a judge wishes to re-refer a case returned to that judge’s calendar
pursuant to this section, the procedure set forth in LR72.1 shall be followed except that where the Executive
Committee approves the referral, it shall direct the clerk to assign it by lot.(g) Calendar for New
Judge. A calendar
shall be prepared for a newly-appointed judge ("new judge") to which
cases shall be transferred by lot, under the direction of the Executive
Committee in such number as it may determine. Where the new judge is a
magistrate judge, the calendar shall include referrals made pursuant to LR72.1 and LCrR50.3(d) and cases assigned pursuant to LR73.1 which shall be transferred by lot, under the
direction of the Executive Committee in such number as it may determine. The
new magistrate judge will be the designated magistrate judge in all matters on
that judge’s calendar. Where a magistrate judge is appointed to succeed a
leaving magistrate judge, the Executive Committee may direct that the new judge
be the designated magistrate judge in all cases in which the former was the
designated magistrate judge at the time of the former’s death, retirement, or
resignation. Once a referral has been transferred to a newly appointed judge,
as part of the new calendar, it remains with the new judge "as the
designated judge".Committee Comment. 28 U.S.C. §137 provides in part as follows:The business of the court
having more than one judge shall be divided among the judges as provided by the
rules and orders of the court. The chief judge of the district shall be
responsible for the observance of such rules and orders, and shall divide the
business and assign the cases so far as such rules and orders do not otherwise
prescribe.This Court has used a random
assignment system for more than 50 years. As stated in section (a), an important
goal of the system is to achieve "an equitable distribution of cases, both
in quantity and kind, among the judges." Over the years the system grew in
complexity. In part, this was a result of increases in the size of the Court,
the complexity of its organization and the size of its caseload. It was also a
result of a more sophisticated understanding of how the "equitable
distribution" should be achieved.An equally important goal is
implicit in the sanctions found in section (c). This is that no one should be
able to manipulate the assignment system in order to determine in advance which
judge will get a case where the assignment is by lot.As part of the process of
renumbering the rules to comply with the uniform system adopted by the Judicial
Conference of the United States in March 1996, the Court significantly revised
its assignment rules. Much of the detail formerly included in local General
Rules 2.00 and 2.44, the former assignment rules, has been moved from the rules
to procedures adopted by general order. Because of the importance of the
assignment system, the Court included this summary to provide parties and
counsel with a basic overview of the way in which cases are assigned in this
Court.The Court is divided into two
divisions: the Eastern at Chicago and the Western at Rockford. Eastern and
Western Division cases can be distinguished by their case numbers. Case numbers
in the Eastern Division start with the number 1 each year. In the Western
Division they start with 50,001.There are 22 district
judgeships and 10 magistrate judgeships authorized for the Court. One district
judgeship and one magistrate judgeship are authorized for the Western Division,
the remainder are all authorized for the Eastern Division. Cases filed in the
Western Division are generally assigned to the Western Division judge. The
magistrate judge of that division usually supervises pretrial matters in civil
cases.Most of the provisions of the
random assignment system apply only to the Eastern Division. For assignment
purposes civil cases are grouped into categories, usually by the type of case.
The case types chosen for each category are expected over the long run to
generate about the same amount of judicial work. Criminal cases are grouped in
a similar fashion.The current assignment system
is computer based. A separate assignment deck is kept for each category. (Prior
to the introduction of the computerized assignment system, physical decks of
assignment cards were used. The terms "assignment deck" and even "assignment
card" continue in use as metaphors to describe the manner in which the
computer operates.) In the deck the name of each regular active judge on full
assignment appears an equal number of times. The name of the chief judge
appears half as often as a regular active judge. The ratios for senior judges
depend on the caseloads they are carrying, varying from being no different from
that of a regular active judge, to a one-half share less than all of the
categories.As part of filing a new case,
the assignment clerk enters the case category information into the assignment
system. The system keeps track of cases processed and automatically shows the
next available case number.Once the case number and
category are verified, the computer uses a shuffle procedure to pick a name
from one of the unused names remaining in the assignment deck for the category
selected. For obvious security reasons, the deputies assigning the cases do not
have access to the software that sets up the assignment decks. The deputies
responsible for setting up the decks do not assign cases. This system together
with the changes in the make up of the deck due to equalization and the
shuffling of the names prior to the actual assignment assures that staff cannot
determine in advance the name of the judge to whom a case will be assigned.The assignment system also
handles the reassignment of cases. Cases are reassigned for a variety of
reasons. The most frequent is the need to reassign a case because it is related
to one pending on another judge’s calendar. Recusals result in reassignments or
equalization. When a new judge takes office, cases are reassigned from the
calendars of sitting judges. When a judge leaves, the cases on the judge’s
calendar are reassigned among sitting judges. There are even provisions in the
procedures for reassignments due to errors made at assignment.When a judge is appointed to
the Court an initial calendar is prepared. It consists of civil cases equal in
number to the average number of civil and criminal cases pending on the
calendars of sitting judges. The new judge gets only civil cases in the initial
calendar. A civil case that was twice previously reassigned to form a new
calendar cannot be reassigned a third time for that reason. Any civil case in
which the trial is in process or has been held and the case is awaiting final
ruling also cannot be reassigned. The remaining cases are arranged in case
number order and a random selection is made. In this way the age distribution
of the cases on the new judge’s initial calendar reflects the average age
distribution of all civil cases pending. Such a distribution serves to provide
the new judge with a calendar that is reasonably close to the average in terms
of workload. Amended May 28, 2014
LR40.1. Assignment of Cases: General LR40.1. Assignment of Cases: General (a) Assigning New Case. The assignment clerk shall file each new case in accordance
with procedures approved by the Court.(b) Cases Filed After hours. A judge accepting a case for filing as an emergency matter
outside of the normal business hours of the clerk’s office shall cause the
initiating documents to be delivered to the clerk’s office as early as
practicable on the next business day. On receipt of the initiating documents,
the assignment clerk shall process the case in accordance with section (a).(c) Mail-in Cases. All cases received through the mail for filing shall be filed
and assigned in accordance with section (a). The process of filing and
assignment shall be completed on the day of receipt, provided that all
necessary initiating documents and filing fees are submitted.
LR40.2. Assignment Procedures LR40.2. Assignment Procedures (a) To Executive
following cases or categories of cases shall be assigned to the calendar of the
Executive Committee on filing:(1) disciplinary cases
brought pursuant to LR83.25 through LR83.31; and(2) Such other cases as the
chief judge may direct.(b) To Specific Judge. In each of the following instances,
the assignment clerk shall assign the case to a judge in the manner specified:(1) Cases filed by Persons
in Custody. Any petition for writ of habeas corpus ("habeas corpus
petition") or any complaint brought under the Civil Rights Act or 28
U.S.C.§1331 challenging the terms or the conditions of confinement
("civil rights complaint") filed by or on behalf of a person in
custody shall be assigned in the same manner as other civil cases except that—(A) a subsequent habeas
corpus petition shall be assigned to the judge to whom the most recently filed
petition was assigned;(B) a subsequent civil rights
complaint shall be assigned to the judge to whom the most recently filed
complaint was assigned;(C) a habeas corpus petition
to be assigned by lot shall be assigned to a judge other than the judge or
judges to whom civil rights complaints filed by or on behalf of the petitioner
have been assigned; and(D) a civil rights complaint
judges to whom habeas corpus petitions filed by or on behalf of the plaintiff
have been assigned.(2) Re-filing of Cases
Previously Dismissed. When a case is dismissed with prejudice or without,
and a second case is filed involving the same parties and relating to the same
subject matter, the second case shall be assigned to the judge to whom the
first case was assigned. The designation sheet presented at the time the second
case is filed shall indicate the number of the earlier case and the name of the
judge to whom it was assigned.(3) Removal of Cases
Previously Remanded. When a case previously remanded is again removed, it
shall be assigned to the judge who previously ordered it to be remanded.(4) Petitions to Enforce
Summonses Issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Where two or more
petitions to enforce summonses issued by the Internal Revenue Service
("I.R.S") are presented for filing and the summonses involve the same
taxpayer, the first petition shall be assigned by lot in accordance with the
rules of this Court and any other petition shall be assigned directly to the
judge to whom the first was assigned. The person presenting such petitions for
filing shall notify the assignment clerk that they involve the same taxpayer.
This section of shall not be construed as authorizing the direct assignment of
petitions to enforce administrative process other than summonses issued by the
I.R.S.(5) Cases filed to
enforce, modify, or vacate judgment. Proceedings to enforce, modify, or
vacate a judgment should be brought within the case in which the judgment was
entered. If a separate case is filed for the purpose of enforcing, modifying,
or vacating a judgment entered in a case previously filed in this District, the
case shall be assigned directly to the judge to whom the earlier case was
assigned.(6) Tag-along cases in
multidistrict proceedings. Where a civil case is filed as a potential
tag-along action to a multidistrict litigation ("MDL") proceeding pending
in the district, it shall be assigned directly to the judge handling the MDL
proceeding. The judge handling the MDL proceeding may, at that judge’s
discretion, transfer to the Executive Committee for reassignment by lot any
case assigned pursuant to this Rule that either—(A) the MDL Panel determines
should not be included in the MDL proceeding, or(B) the judge assigned to the
MDL proceeding determines pursuant to Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure of the Judicial Panel on
Multidistrict Litigation is not a tag-along case, or(C) requires trial following
the completion of the consolidated discovery.(c) Direct Assignment in Social
Security Cases. In a proceeding for judicial review of a final decision by
the Commissioner of Social Security pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g), when a district judge or magistrate judge remands the case for
further administrative proceedings, any subsequent proceedings in the district
court involving that matter shall be assigned to the district and magistrate
judge to which the preceding action for judicial review was originally
assigned. Comment. The inclusion of section (c) will
ensure that the judicial officer who originally decided to remand the case be
assigned to review any subsequent appeals after remand to the Social Security
Administration. LR40.3. Direct Assignment of Cases LR40.3. Direct Assignment of Cases (a) Referral to Bankruptcy
Judges. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§157(a), all cases under Title 11 U.S.C.
and all proceedings arising under Title 11 U.S.C.
or arising in or related to any cases under Title 11 U.S.C.
are referred to the bankruptcy judges of this District.(b) Assignment by Lot. Except as provided by sections (c)
and (d), each of the following items shall be assigned by lot to a district
judge:(1) motions pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§157(d) (including a recommendation by a bankruptcy judge) for the
withdrawal of the reference of a bankruptcy (“B”) case, or of a contested
matter or adversary (“A”) proceeding within a bankruptcy case;(2) objections to proposed
findings of fact and conclusions of law of a bankruptcy judge filed pursuant to
U.S.C.§157(a)(1);(3) appeals pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§158(a)(1);(4) motions for leave to
appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §158(a)(3); and(5) applications for a writ
of mandamus or a similar writ in connection with a bankruptcy case, contested
matter, or adversary proceeding.All such assignments shall be
made using the Civil II assignment category, except that objections to proposed
findings and conclusions shall be assigned using the Civil III assignment
category. The clerk is directed to assign a case so designated to the judge on
whose calendar the previously filed case was assigned.(c) Direct Assignment for
Rehearing. Whenever
there is activity in bankruptcy court following a district judge’s
consideration of any of the items described in section (b), any subsequent
proceedings in the district court involving that item shall be assigned to the
district judge who considered the item initially.(d) Relatedness. The provisions of LR 40.4 are applicable to the items described in section
(b).(e) Designation Sheet. The person filing any of the items
described in paragraph (b) shall complete the designation sheet required by LR3.1 and include on the sheet a designation of any such
item, previously heard by the district court, that the filer believes would
require direct assignment of the filing pursuant to this rule. LR40.3.1 Assignments Involving Bankruptcy LR40.3.1 Assignments Involving Bankruptcy (a) Definitions. Two or more civil cases may be
related if one or more of the following conditions are met:(1) the cases involve the
same property;(2) the cases involve some of
the same issues of fact or law;(3) the cases grow out of the
same transaction or occurrence; or(4) in class action suits,
one or more of the classes involved in the cases is or are the same.(b) Conditions for
Reassignment. A case
may be reassigned to the calendar of another judge if it is found to be related
to an earlier-numbered case assigned to that judge and each of the following
criteria is met:(1) both cases are pending in
this Court;(2) the handling of both
cases by the same judge is likely to result in a substantial saving of judicial
time and effort;(3) the earlier case has not
progressed to the point where designating a later filed case as related would
be likely to delay the proceedings in the earlier case substantially; and(4) the cases are susceptible
of disposition in a single proceeding.(c) Motion To Reassign. A motion for reassignment based on
relatedness may be filed by any party to a case. The motion shall—(1) set forth the points of
commonality of the cases in sufficient detail to indicate that the cases are
related within the meaning of section (a), and(2) indicate the extent to
which the conditions required by section (b) will be met if the cases are found
to be related.A copy of the complaint or
other relevant pleading in each of the higher-numbered cases that are the
subject of the motion shall be attached to the motion.The motion shall be filed in
the lowest-numbered case of the claimed related set and noticed before the
judge assigned to that case. Where all of the cases claimed to be related are
assigned to magistrate judges on consent, then the motion shall be filed with
the magistrate judge before whom the lowest-numbered case is pending. Where one
or more of the cases claimed to be related is assigned to a magistrate judge on
consent and one or more of the remaining cases is assigned to a district judge,
the motion shall be filed with the district judge having the lowest-numbered
case.In order that all parties to
a proceeding be permitted to respond on the questions of relatedness and
possible reassignment, such motions should not generally be filed until after
the answer or motions in lieu of answer have been filed in each of the
proceedings involved.(d) Ruling on Motion. The
judge to whom the motion is presented may consult with the judge or judges
before whom the other case or cases are pending. The judge shall enter an order
finding whether or not the cases are related within the meaning of the rules of
this Court and, if they are, whether the higher-numbered case or cases should
be reassigned.Where the judge finds that
the cases are related and that reassignment should take place, a copy of that
finding will be forwarded to the Executive Committee together with a request
that the Committee reassign the higher-numbered case or cases.A copy of any finding that
cases either are or are not related and, if they are, that reassignment should
or should not take place shall also be sent to each of the judges on whose
calendar one or more of the higher-numbered cases is or are pending. Any judge
to whom one or more of the cases involved is or are assigned may seek a review
of the finding by the Executive Committee. The order entered by the Committee following
review shall be final. Amended November 2, 2010
LR40.4. Related Cases, Reassignment of Cases as Related LR40.4. Related Cases, Reassignment of Cases as Related (a) General. This rule shall not apply to remands resulting from appeals of summary judgments or interlocutory orders unless the mandate or order remanding the case indicates that it is to be reassigned to a judge other than the judge to whom the case was previously assigned (“prior judge”). Whenever a mandate from the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or the Seventh Circuit is filed with the clerk indicating that the case appealed is remanded for a new trial, the case shall be assigned to the Executive Committee, except(1) if the mandate or accompanying opinion indicates that the case is to be retried by the prior judge, then the case shall remain on that judge’s calendar, or(2) where the prior judge is no longer sitting and the case is an Eastern Division case, it will be reassigned by lot, or(3) where the prior judge is no longer sitting and the case is a Western Division case, it will be assigned to the Western Division judge.(b) Notice by Clerk. When a case is reassigned to the Executive Committee pursuant to section (a), the clerk shall forthwith notify all parties of record by mail that the mandate has been filed and that unless a stipulation is filed by all parties within 14 days after the date of the notice indicating that all parties wish the case returned to the prior judge, the case will be reassigned to another judge.(c) Reassignment. When a stipulation is filed indicating that the parties wish the case assigned to the prior judge, the Executive Committee shall reassign the case to that judge. When no such stipulation is filed, the Executive Committee shall direct that the case be reassigned to a judge other than the prior judge. A case reassigned pursuant to this rule shall be treated for assignment purposes as a new case. The judge receiving the case is not authorized to transfer a similar case to the Executive Committee for reassignment to the prior judge. Amended November 19, 2009 LR40.5. Remands, Procedures for Following Appeals LR40.5. Remands, Procedures for Following Appeals Cases which have been inactive for
more than six months may be dismissed for want of prosecution.An order of dismissal for want of
prosecution or an order of default may be entered if counsel fails to respond
to a call of the case set by order of court. Notice of the court call shall be
by publication or as otherwise provided by the court. In the Eastern Division
publication shall be in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin unless the court provides
LR41.1. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution or By Default LR41.1. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution or By Default The
validity of the subpoena shall not be affected by attaching or delivering of a
note or other memorandum containing instructions to a witness regarding the
exact date, time, and place the witness is required to appear.
LR45.1. Attaching a Note to the Subpoena Permitted LR45.1. Attaching a Note to the Subpoena Permitted (a) General. The chief judge shall from time to time enter such orders
as may be required to summon petit jurors for the court. Except as provided for
in section (b), petit jurors shall be assigned to a single jury pool and
reassigned for service upon the request of each judge. The jury pool shall be
under the supervision of the clerk. Unless otherwise ordered a copy of the jury
list showing the name, town and ZIP code of each juror summoned shall be
available for viewing on the first day of the service period.(b) Separate Panels. Where the extraordinary nature of a trial indicates that
administrative efficiency will be improved and substantial judicial time will
be saved through the use of a separate panel of petit jurors, the chief judge
may, at the request of the trial judge, direct that such a separate jury panel
be summoned.(c) Qualification Forms are
Confidential. Juror qualification forms completed
by the jurors shall be confidential. Such forms shall not be made available for
inspection except upon order of the chief judge or upon order of the assigned
judge in connection with the preparation or presentation of a motion
challenging compliance with selection procedures pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §1867. Orders directing that the juror qualification forms be made
available for inspection shall specify the terms of the inspection, including
the forms to be inspected, the names of the persons authorized to make the
inspection, and any conditions required regarding the release of information
contained on the forms.
LR47.1. Juries LR47.1. Juries (a) Appointment. The court may grant a motion for the appointment of a
master in a civil action where the parties stipulate in writing to such an
appointment. The stipulation shall indicate whether the master is to report
upon particular issues or upon all the issues. The procedure covering such a
reference shall be the same as that governing any other reference to a master.A judge may appoint the designated
magistrate judge or, with the approval of the Executive Committee, a magistrate
judge other than the designated magistrate judge to perform the duties of a
special master.Whenever an order of reference to a
master is entered, the attorney procuring the order shall, at the time of
filing thereof, deposit with the clerk a copy to be furnished to the master. On
docketing the order, the clerk shall promptly send the copy to the master.(b) Master May Sit Outside District. A master may sit within or outside of the district. If the
master is requested to sit outside the district for the convenience of a party
and there is opposition thereto by another party, the master may make an order
for the holding of the hearing, or a part thereof, outside the district, upon
such terms and conditions as shall be just.(c) Motions Regarding report. A motion to confirm or to reject, in whole or in part, a
report of a master shall be heard by the judge appointing such master. LR53.1. Masters LR53.1. Masters (a) Time to File. Within 30 days of the entry of a judgment allowing costs, the prevailing party shall file a bill of costs with the clerk and serve a copy of the bill on each adverse party. If the bill of costs is not filed within 30days, costs other than those of the clerk, taxable pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1920, shall be deemed waived. The court may, on motion filed within the time provided for the filing of the bill of costs, extend the time for filing the bill.(b) Transcript Costs. Subject to the provisions of Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(d), the expense of any prevailing party in necessarily obtaining all or any part of a transcript for use in a case, for purposes of a new trial, or amended findings, or for appeal shall be taxable as costs against the adverse party. If in taxing costs the clerk finds that a transcript or deposition was necessarily obtained, the costs of the transcript or deposition shall not exceed the regular copy rate as established by the Judicial Conference of the United States and in effect at the time the transcript or deposition was filed unless some other rate was previously provided for by order of court. Court reporter appearance fees may be awarded in addition to the per page limit, but the fees shall not exceed the published rates on the Court website unless another rate was previously provided by order of court. Except as otherwise ordered by the court, only the cost of the original of such transcript or deposition together with the cost of one copy each where needed by counsel and, for depositions, the copy provided to the court shall be allowed.(c) Bond Premiums. If costs shall be awarded by the court to either or any party then the reasonable premiums or expenses paid on all bonds or stipulations or other security given by the party in that suit shall be taxed as part of the costs of that party.(d) Fee of Special Master. After a master’s compensation and disbursements have been allowed by the court, the prevailing party may pay such compensation and disbursements, and on payment the amount thereof shall be a taxable cost against the unsuccessful party or parties. Where, however, the court directs by order the parties against whom, or the proportion in which such compensation and disbursements shall be charged, or the fund or subject matter out of which they shall be paid, the party making the payment to the master shall be entitled to tax such compensation and disbursements only against such parties and in such proportions as the court has directed, and to payment of such taxable cost only out of such fund or subject matter as the court has directed.Committee Comment This Rule has been amended in response to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Harney v. City of Chicago, 702 F.3d 916, 2012 WL 6097336 *10 (7th Cir. Dec. 10, 2012), in which the Court of Appeals recommended adoption of "an amendment of that rule [LR 54.1] clarifying the availability of court reporter appearance fees over and above the allowable per page amount." Amended May 24, 2013 LR54.1. Taxation of Costs LR54.1. Taxation of Costs If
for any reason attributable to counsel or parties, including a settlement or
change of plea, the court is unable to commence a jury trial as scheduled where
a panel of prospective jurors has reported to the courthouse for the voir dire,
the court may assess against counsel or parties responsible all or part of the
cost of the panel. Any monies collected as a result of said assessment shall be
paid to the clerk who shall promptly remit them to the Treasurer of the United
LR54.2. Jury Costs for Unused Panels LR54.2. Jury Costs for Unused Panels (a) Definitions; General. For the purposes of this
(1) "Fee motion"
means a motion, complaint or any other pleading seeking only an award of
attorney’s fees and related nontaxable expenses,(2) "Movant" means
the party filing the fee motion,(3) "Respondent"
means a party from whom the movant seeks payment, and(4) "Related nontaxable
expenses" means any expense for which a prevailing party may seek
reimbursement other than costs that are taxed by the clerk pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
54(d)(1).Unless otherwise ordered by
the court, this rule does not apply to motions for sanctions under Fed.R.Civ.P.
11 or other sanctions provisions.Sections (d) through (g)
govern a fee motion that would be paid by a party to the litigation rather than
out of a fund already created by judgment or by settlement.(b) Time to File. Either before or after the entry of
judgment the court may enter an order with respect to the filing of a fee
motion pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 54. Unless the court’s order includes a
different schedule for such filing, the motion shall be filed in accordance
with the provisions of this rule and shall be filed and served no later than 91
days after the entry of the judgment or settlement agreement on which the
motion is founded. If the court has not entered such an order before a motion
has been filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
54(d)(2)(B), then after such filing the court may order the parties to
comply with the procedure set out in this rule as a post-filing rather than as
a pre-filing procedure.(c) Effect on Appeals. The filing of a fee motion shall not
stop the running of the time for appeal of any judgment on which the motion is
founded.Where the parties reach an
agreement as to the award and the award is to be based on a judgment, unless
the agreement provides otherwise, it shall affect neither a party’s right to
appeal the fee order resulting from the agreement nor a party’s right to seek a
subsequent increase, decrease or vacation of the agreed award in the event the
underlying judgment is reversed or modified by subsequent judicial proceedings
or settlement.The time requirements of Fed.R.Civ.P.
59 are not changed by this rule.(d) Pre-Motion Agreement. The parties involved shall confer and
attempt in good faith to agree on the amount of fees or related nontaxable
expenses that should be awarded prior to filing a fee motion.During the attempt to agree,
the parties shall, upon request, provide the following information to each
other:(1) The movant shall provide
the respondent with the time and work records on which the motion will be
based, and shall specify the hours for which compensation will and will not be
sought. These records may be redacted to prevent disclosure of material protected
by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine.(2) The movant shall inform
the respondent of the hourly rates that will be claimed for each lawyer,
paralegal, or other person. If the movant’s counsel or other billers have
performed any legal work on an hourly basis during the period covered by the
motion, the movant shall provide representative business records sufficient to
show the types of litigation in which such hourly rates were paid and the rates
that were paid in each type. If the movant’s counsel has been paid on an hourly
basis in the case in question or in litigation of the same type as the case in
question, records showing the rates paid for those services must be provided.
If the movant will rely on other evidence to establish appropriate hourly
rates, such as evidence of rates charged by attorneys of comparable experience
and qualifications or evidence of rates used in previous awards by courts or
administrative agencies, the movant shall provide such other evidence.(3) The movant shall furnish
the evidence that will be used to support the related nontaxable expenses to be
sought by the motion.(4) The movant shall provide
the respondent with the above information within 21 days of the judgment or
settlement agreement upon which the motion is based, unless the court sets a
different schedule.(5) If no agreement is
reached after the above information has been furnished, the respondent shall,
within 21 days of receipt of that information, disclose the total amount of
attorney’s fees paid by respondent (and all fees billed but unpaid at the time of
the disclosure and all time as yet unbilled and expected to be billed
thereafter) for the litigation and shall furnish the following additional
information as to any matters (rates, hours, or related nontaxable expenses)
that remain in dispute:(A) the time and work records
(if such records have been kept) of respondent’s counsel pertaining to the
litigation, which records may be redacted to prevent disclosure of material
protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine;(B) evidence of the hourly
rates for all billers paid by respondent during the litigation;(C) evidence of the specific
expenses incurred or billed in connection with the litigation, and the total
amount of such expenses; and(D) any evidence the
respondent will use to oppose the requested hours, rates, or related nontaxable
expenses.By providing the opposing
party with information under this rule about the party’s hours, billing rates
and related nontaxable expenses, no party shall be deemed to make any admission
or waive any argument about the relevance or effect of such information in
determining an appropriate award.Within 14 days after the
above exchange of information is completed and before the motion is filed, the
parties shall specifically identify all hours, billing rates, or related
nontaxable expenses (if any) that will and will not be objected to, the basis
of any objections, and the specific hours, billing rates, and related
nontaxable expenses that in the parties' respective views are reasonable and
should be compensated. The parties will thereafter attempt to resolve any
remaining disputes.All information furnished by
any party under this section shall be treated as strictly confidential by the
party receiving the information. The information shall be used solely for
purposes of the fee litigation, and shall be disclosed to other persons, if at
all, only in court filings or hearings related to the fee litigation. A party
receiving such information who proposes to disclose it in a court filing or
hearing shall provide the party furnishing it with prior written notice and a
reasonable opportunity to request an appropriate protective order.(e) Joint Statement. If any matters remain in dispute
after the above steps are taken, the parties, prior to the filing of the fee
motion, shall prepare a joint statement listing the following:(1) the total amount of fees
and related nontaxable expenses claimed by the moving party (If the fee request
is based on the "lodestar" method, the statement shall include a
summary table giving the name, claimed hours, claimed rates, and claimed totals
for each biller.);(2) the total amount of fees
and/or related nontaxable expenses that the respondent deems should be awarded
(If the fees are contested, the respondent shall include a similar table giving
respondent’s position as to the name, compensable hours, appropriate rates, and
totals for each biller listed by movant.);(3) a brief description of
each specific dispute remaining between the parties as to the fees or expenses;
and(4) a statement disclosing—(A) whether the motion for
fees and expenses will be based on a judgment or on a settlement of the
underlying merits dispute, and(B) if the motion will be
based on a judgment, whether respondent has appealed or intends to appeal that
judgment.The parties shall cooperate
to complete preparation of the joint statement no later than 70 days after the
entry of the judgment or settlement agreement on which the motion for fees will
be based, unless the court orders otherwise.(f) Fee Motion. The movant shall attach the joint
statement to the fee motion. Unless otherwise allowed by the court, the motion
and any supporting or opposing memoranda shall limit their argument and
supporting evidentiary matter to disputed issues.(g) Motion for
Instructions. A
motion may be filed seeking instructions from the court where it appears that
the procedures set forth in this rule cannot be followed within the time limits
established by the rule or by order of court because of— (1) the inability of the
parties to resolve a dispute over what materials are to be turned over or the
meaning of a provision of the rule,(2) the failure of one or
more of the parties to provide information required by the rule, or (3) other disputes between
the parties that cannot be resolved after good faith attempts.The motion shall state with
specificity the nature of the dispute or items not turned over and the attempts
made to resolve the dispute or to obtain the items. The motion must be filed
not later than 14 days following the expiration of the time within which the
matter in dispute or the materials not turned over should have been delivered
in accordance with the time table set out in this rule or in the court’s order.The court may on motion filed
pursuant to this section, or on its own initiative, modify any time schedule
provided for by this rule. Amended July 6, 2000; April 3, 2008 (nunc pro tunc December 16, 2004);
and August 19, 2009 LR54.3. Attorney's Fees and Related Non-taxable Expenses LR54.3. Attorney's Fees and Related Non-taxable Expenses Except as otherwise directed by the
court, any form of judgment of foreclosure presented for approval by the court
shall contain the following statement with respect to attorneys’ fees:The court has approved the portion
of the lien attributable to attorneys’ fees only for purposes of the
foreclosure sale, and not for purposes of determining the amount required to be
paid personally by defendant in the event of redemption by defendant, or a
deficiency judgment, or otherwise. In the event of redemption by defendant or
for purposes of any personal deficiency judgment, this court reserves the right
to review the amount of attorneys’ fees to be included for either purpose.
Plaintiff’s counsel is required to notify defendant of the provisions of this
LR54.4. Judgment of Foreclosure LR54.4. Judgment of Foreclosure (a) Stipulation. Where, pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §1915, 28 U.S.C. §1916 or 45 U.S.C. §153(b),
a plaintiff seeks to commence a civil action without paying fees and costs or
giving security for them, the plaintiff and, if represented, counsel for the
plaintiff, shall file with the complaint a stipulation that the recovery, if
any, in the action shall be paid to the clerk, who shall pay from it the filing
fees and other costs not previously paid and remit the balance to the plaintiff
or counsel for plaintiff in accordance with section (b).(b) Notification of Payment. Whenever money shall be paid to the clerk of this court in
compliance with section (a), the clerk shall notify the judge to whom the case
is assigned of the amount paid and of any fees prescribed by statute, including
those established by the Judicial Conference of the United States, which were
not collected because plaintiff was permitted to maintain an action without
prepayment of such fees. The judge shall thereupon enter an order directing the
clerk to pay from the amount such fees and costs as were not prepaid and to
remit the balance to plaintiff or counsel for plaintiff. LR54.5. Stipulation Regarding Payment of Fees and Costs Not Prepaid LR54.5. Stipulation Regarding Payment of Fees and Costs Not Prepaid a) Moving Party. With each motion for summary
judgment filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
56 the moving party shall serve and file—(1) any affidavits and other
materials referred to in Fed.R.Civ.P.
56(e);(2) a supporting memorandum
of law; and(3) a statement of material
facts as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue and that
entitle the moving party to a judgment as a matter of law, and that also
includes:(A) a description of the
parties, and(B) all facts supporting
venue and jurisdiction in this court.The statement referred to in
(3) shall consist of short numbered paragraphs, including within each paragraph
specific references to the affidavits, parts of the record, and other
supporting materials relied upon to support the facts set forth in that
paragraph. Failure to submit such a statement constitutes grounds for denial of
the motion. Absent prior leave of Court, a movant shall not file more than 80
separately-numbered statements of undisputed material fact.If additional material facts
are submitted by the opposing party pursuant to section (b), the moving party
may submit a concise reply in the form prescribed in that section for a
response. All material facts set forth in the statement filed pursuant to
section (b)(3)(C) will be deemed admitted unless controverted by the statement
of the moving party.(b) Opposing Party. Each party opposing a motion filed
pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 56 shall serve and file—(1) any opposing affidavits
and other materials referred to in Fed.R.Civ.P.
of law; and(3) a concise response to the
movant’s statement that shall contain:(A) numbered paragraphs, each
corresponding to and stating a concise summary of the paragraph to which it is
directed, and(B) a response to each
numbered paragraph in the moving party’s statement, including, in the case of
any disagreement, specific references to the affidavits, parts of the record,
and other supporting materials relied upon, and(C) a statement, consisting
of short numbered paragraphs, of any additional facts that require the denial
of summary judgment, including references to the affidavits, parts of the
record, and other supporting materials relied upon. Absent prior leave of
Court, a respondent to a summary judgment motion shall not file more than 40
separately-numbered statements of additional facts. All material facts set
forth in the statement required of the moving party will be deemed to be
admitted unless controverted by the statement of the opposing party.
CommentLocal Rule 56.1 is revised to
set forth limits on the number of statements of fact that may be offered in
connection with a summary judgment motion. The judges of this Court have
observed that parties frequently include in their LR56.1 statements facts that
are unnecessary to the motion and/or are disputed. The judges’ observation is
that in the vast majority of cases, a limit of
80 asserted statements of fact and 40 assertions of additional statements of
fact will be more than sufficient to determine whether the case is appropriate
for summary judgment. The number of statements of fact has been set in light of
the requirement of section (a) (3), which requires that only "material
facts" be set down. A party may seek leave to file more asserted
statements of fact or additional fact, upon a showing that the complexity of
the case requires a relaxation of the 80 or 40 statement limit.
LR56.1. Motions for Summary Judgment LR56.1. Motions for Summary Judgment Any party moving for summary judgment
against a party proceeding pro se shall serve and file as a separate document,
together with the papers in support of the motion, a “Notice to Pro Se Litigant
Opposing Motion for Summary Judgment” in the form indicated below. Where the
pro se party is not the plaintiff, the movant should amend the form notice as
necessary to reflect that fact.
NOTICE TO PRO
SE LITIGANT OPPOSING MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
moved for summary judgment against you. This means that the defendant is
telling the judge that there is no disagreement about the important facts of
the case.The defendant is also claiming that there is no need for a trial of
your case and is asking the judge to decide that the defendant should win the case
based on its written argument about what the law is.
defeat the defendant’s request, you need to do one of two things: you
need to show that there is a dispute about important facts and a trial is
needed to decide what the actual facts are or you need to explain why the
defendant is wrong about what the law is.
must comply with Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rule 56.1 of this court. These rules are
available at any law library. Your Rule 56.1 statement needs to have
numbered paragraphs responding to each paragraph in the defendant’s statement
of facts. If you disagree with any fact offered by the defendant, you
need to explain how and why you disagree with the defendant. You also
need to explain how the documents or declarations that you are submitting
support your version of the facts. If you think that some of the facts
offered by the defendant are immaterial or irrelevant, you need to explain why
you believe that those facts should not be considered.
In your response,
you must also describe and include copies of documents which show why you
disagree with the defendant about the facts of the case. You may rely
upon your own declaration or the declarations of other witnesses. A
declaration is a signed statement by a witness.The declaration must end with
the following phrase: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws
of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct,” and must be
dated. If you do not provide the Court with evidence that shows that
there is a dispute about the facts, the judge will be required to assume that
the defendant’s factual contentions are true, and, if the defendant is also
correct about the law, your case will be dismissed.
do so, you may offer the Court a list of facts that you believe are in dispute
and require a trial to decide. Your list of disputed facts should be
supported by your documents or declarations. It is important that you
comply fully with these rules and respond to each fact offered by the
defendant, and explain how your documents or declarations support your
position. If you do not do so, the judge will be forced to assume that you do
not dispute the facts which you have not responded to.
should explain why you think the defendant is wrong about what the law is. LR56.2. Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment LR56.2. Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment The clerk shall enter the
satisfaction of a judgment in any of the following circumstances:(1) upon the filing of a statement of
satisfaction of the judgment executed and acknowledged by:(A) the judgment-creditor, or(B) by a legal representative or assignee
of the judgment-creditor who files evidence of their authority, or(C) if the filing is within two years of
the entry of the judgment, by the attorney or proctor of record for the
judgment- creditor.(2) upon payment to the court of the
amount of the judgment plus interest and costs;
(3) if the judgment-creditor is the
United States, upon the filing of a statement of satisfaction executed by the
United States attorney;(4) in an admiralty proceeding, upon
issuance of an order of satisfaction, such order to be made on the consent of
the proctors if such consent be given within two years from the entry of the
decree; or
(5) upon receipt of a certified copy of a
statement of satisfaction entered in another district. LR58.1. Satisfaction of Judgment LR58.1. Satisfaction of Judgment The bond shall be conditioned for
the satisfaction of the judgment in full together with costs, interest, and
damages for delay, if for any reason the appeal is dismissed or if the judgment
is affirmed, and to satisfy in full such modification of the judgment and such costs,
interest, and damages as the appellate court may adjudge and award.A supersedeas bond, where the
judgment is for a sum of money only, shall be in the amount of the judgment
plus one year’s interest at the rate provided in 28
U.S.C. §1961, plus $500 to cover costs. If in conformance with LR65.1, the bond may be approved by the clerk. The bond
amount fixed hereunder is without prejudice to any party’s right to seek timely
judicial determination of a higher or lower amount. LR62.1. Supersedeas Bond LR62.1. Supersedeas Bond (a) General. Bonds and similar undertakings may be executed by the surety or sureties alone, except in bankruptcy and criminal cases or where a different procedure is prescribed by law. No member of the bar nor any officer or employee of this court shall act as surety in any action or proceeding in this court.(b) Security. Except as otherwise provided by law, every bond or similar undertaking must be secured by one of the following:(1) the deposit of cash or obligations of the United States in the amount of the bond, or(2) the undertaking or guaranty of a corporate surety holding a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury, or (3) the undertaking or guaranty of two individual residents of the Northern District of Illinois, provided that each individual surety shall file an affidavit of justification, which shall list the following information:(A) the surety’s full name, occupation, residence and business addresses, and(B) a statement showing that the surety owns real or personal property within this district which, after excluding property exempt from execution and deducting the surety’s debts, liabilities and other obligations (including those which may arise by virtue of acting as surety on other bonds or undertakings), is properly valued at no less than twice the amount of the bond.(4) An unconditional letter of credit is an approved form of security and shall be submitted on LR65.1 Form of Letter of Credit, or on a form agreed to by the parties. Adopted July 1, 2008 LR65.1. Sureties on Bonds LR65.1. Sureties on Bonds Except in criminal cases, or
where another procedure is prescribed by law, the clerk may approve bonds
without an order of court if— (1) the amount of the bond has been fixed by a
judge, by court rule, or by statute, and (2) the bond is secured in
accordance with LR65.1(b).
LR65.2. Approval of Bonds by the Clerk LR65.2. Approval of Bonds by the Clerk Upon good
cause shown, the court may order the filing of a bond as security for costs.
Except as ordered by the court, the bond will be secured in compliance with LR65.1. The bond shall be conditioned to secure the payment
of all fees which the party filing it must pay by law to the clerk, marshal or
other officer of the court and all costs of the action which the party filing
it may be directed to pay to any other party.
LR65.3. Security for Costs LR65.3. Security for Costs Whenever a notice of
motion to enforce the liability of a surety upon an appeal or a supersedeas
bond is served upon the clerk pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.
65.1, the party making such motion shall deposit with the clerk one
additional copy for each surety to be served.
LR65.1.1 Notice of Motion to Enforce Liability of Supersedeas Bond LR65.1.1 Notice of Motion to Enforce Liability of Supersedeas Bond (a) General. The administration of estates by receivers or other officers shall be similar to that in bankruptcy cases except that the court in its discretion shall—(1) fix the allowance of compensation of receivers or similar officers, their counsel, and any others appointed to aid in the administration of the estate, and(2) direct the manner in which the estate shall be administered, including the conduct of its business, the discovery and acquirement of its assets, and the formation of reorganization plans.(b) Reports by Receiver. Unless otherwise ordered, a receiver, or other similar officer appointed by this Court, shall as soon as practicable after appointment, but in any event not later than 21 days thereafter, file an inventory of all property, real, personal or mixed, of which the receiver has taken possession or control, together with a list of the then known liabilities of the estate and a report explaining such inventory.Thereafter and until discharged, the receiver shall file a current report every four months, unless the court fixes some other filing interval. The current report and account shall list the receipts and disbursements and summarize the activities of the receiver.Amended November 19, 2009 LR66.1. Receivers; Administration of Estates LR66.1. Receivers; Administration of Estates All funds ordered deposited with the
clerk pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2041 for deposit in the registry fund
of the court shall be deposited in the registry account, provided that the
court in exceptional circumstances may for good cause shown direct the clerk to
hold the funds deposited in some other form of interest bearing investment.
Where the court so orders, the order shall specify—(1) the reason or reasons for such
alternative form of investment,(2) the amount to be invested,(3) the type of account or
instrument in which the funds are to be invested, and(4) the term of
LR67.1. Investment of Funds Deposited with Clerk LR67.1. Investment of Funds Deposited with Clerk The notice of a proposed sale of property directed to be made by an order or judgment of the court in a civil action need not, unless otherwise ordered by the court, set out the terms of sale specified in the order or judgment. The notice will be sufficient if in substantially the following form: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois ...............Division NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to (order or judgment) of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, ...... Division, filed in the office of the clerk of that Court on (date) in the cause entitled (name and docket number) the undersigned will sell at public sale at (place of sale) on (date and hour of sale) the property in said (order or judgment) described and therein directed to be sold, to which (order or judgment) reference is made for the terms of sale and for a description of the property which may be briefly described as follows: ..................................................... ..................................................... ..................................................... Dated: (date) The notice need not describe the property by metes and bounds or otherwise in detail and will be sufficient if in general terms it identifies the property by specifying its nature and location. However, it shall state the approximate acreage of any real estate outside the limits of any town or city, the street, lot and block number of any real estate within any town or city, the termini of any railroad and a general statement of the character of any improvements upon the property. LR69.1. Notice of Sale LR69.1. Notice of Sale At the time any case is filed
and assigned to a district judge in the Eastern Division, the name of a
magistrate judge shall also be assigned in accordance with the procedures
adopted pursuant to LR40.2(a) when applicable. The magistrate judge so assigned
shall be the designated magistrate judge for that case. Whenever a new case is
assigned to a district judge directly and not by lot pursuant to LR40.3(b), the designated magistrate judge for the case
originally assigned by lot will be the designated magistrate judge for the
later filed case.Any judge wishing to refer a
matter in a civil case pending on that judge’s calendar to a magistrate judge
may do so following procedures approved by the Executive Committee.Where two or more cases are
related, the designated magistrate judge in the lowest-numbered case of the set
of related cases will be the designated magistrate judge for all cases in the
set. The designated magistrate judge in the lowest-numbered case will remain
the designated magistrate judge for the set as long as any cases in the set are
pending.Except as ordered by the
Executive Committee, the reassignment of a case from one district judge to
another shall not change the designated magistrate judge for that case. Amended May 31, 2011
LR72.1. Designated Magistrate Judges: Referrals LR72.1. Designated Magistrate Judges: Referrals (a) Procedure for Parties
to Consent to Appear Before a Magistrate Judge. Consent forms filed by parties will be
maintained by the plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel until such time as all
parties or their counsel have signed the form. At such time as the consent form
has been signed by all of the parties, a single joint statement indicating that
all parties have consented must be filed electronically with the Court, unless
the assigned judge or magistrate judge allows the parties to file a single
paper consent form in court. If a case in which a consent has been filed is
reassigned to a magistrate judge other than the magistrate judge designated
pursuant to Local Rule 72.1, the parties may object within 21 days of
such reassignment. If a timely objection is filed by any party, the case will
be reassigned to the district judge before whom it was last pending. If no
objection has been filed within 21 days, the parties will be deemed to have
consented to the reassignment.(b) Reassignment of Case. Any judge wishing to reassign a case
pending on that judge’s calendar to a magistrate judge following the consent by
all parties to have the magistrate judge conduct any and all proceedings in
that case will transfer the case to the calendar of the designated magistrate
judge.(c) Consent to Enter
Judgment. A magistrate judge is authorized to enter a final judgment for a
sum certain to which all the parties have consented in writing or a judgment of
dismissal to which all of the parties have stipulated in writing, provided that
the parties indicate their consent to the entry of the judgment by the
magistrate judge either in writing or in open court at the time of the entry of
the judgment.(d) Limited consents. Parties may consent to the transfer
of part of a proceeding to a magistrate judge to act pursuant to 28
U.S.C.§636(c). Such consents shall be filed in the same manner as the
consents for a transfer of the entire proceeding. Upon notification of the
filing of such consents by the parties, the district judge may transfer that
portion of the case covered by the consents for reassignment to the Executive
Committee in accordance with the procedures adopted pursuant to LR40.2(a). If the Committee approves the reassignment, the
motion may be reassigned to the calendar of the designated magistrate judge.
Where such a reassignment is made, the case shall remain on the calendar of the
district judge. Comment. The consent form referred to in
section (a) may be found on the District Court website (www.ilnd.uscourts.gov) with
instructions for completion. Amended May 24, 2013
LR73.1. Magistrate Judges: Reassignment on Consent LR73.1. Magistrate Judges: Reassignment on Consent The regular places of holding court in
this District shall be the Everett McKinley Dirksen Federal Courthouse at
Chicago for the Eastern Division and the Stanley J. Roszkowski United States
Courthouse at Rockford for the Western Division.
No judge of this Court shall hold a
special session or sessions of the court at a location or locations other than
the regular places of holding court, without first having obtained permission
from the Executive Committee, provided, that if an emergency matter arises at
night, on Saturdays or Sundays or holidays, a judge may entertain motions or
petitions at a place other than a regular place of holding court. Amended
LR77.1. Places of Holding Court LR77.1. Places of Holding Court (a) Definitions. For the purpose of these rules— (1) "Emergency judge" means the judge assigned to perform the duties of emergency judge specified by any local rule or procedure adopted by the Court, (2) "Emergency magistrate judge" means the magistrate judge assigned to perform the duties of emergency magistrate judge specified by any local rule or procedure adopted by the Court, and (3) "Emergency matter" means a matter of such a nature that the delay in hearing it that would result from its being treated as any other matter would cause serious and irreparable harm to one or more of the parties to the proceeding provided that requests for continuances or leave to file briefs or interrogatories in excess of the limits prescribed by these rules will normally be entertained as emergency matters only during the summer sessions, and (4) "Summer session" means the fourteen-week period beginning on the first Monday in June. (b) Duties of Emergency Judge. The emergency judge is responsible for hearing all emergency matters not previously assigned to a judge of this Court that arise outside of the regular business hours of the Court, except for discovery motions as set forth in subsection (c) below. During regular office hours other than in the summer session, the emergency judge will not hear emergency matters arising out of the cases assigned to the calendar of another judge where that judge is sitting, except on approval of the chief judge at the request of the judge to whom the case is assigned. The emergency judge will also hear the following matters or preside at the following ceremonies: (1) petitions for admission brought by attorneys wishing to be admitted to practice before the Court; (2) requests for review or de novo determinations of matters directly assigned to the duty magistrate brought pursuant to LCrR50.4; (3) petitions presented by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service; (4) ceremonies for the mass admission of attorneys to the bar of this Court; and (5) ceremonies for the administration of the oath of allegiance to newly naturalized citizens. (c) Any emergency matter involving discovery or requests for protective orders that would otherwise be brought before the emergency judge are referred and shall be brought before the magistrate judge assigned to the case (or the emergency magistrate judge when the assigned magistrate judge is not sitting). (d) Duties of Emergency Magistrate Judge. The emergency magistrate judge is responsible for hearing any emergency matter arising in a case referred or assigned to a magistrate judge when that magistrate judge is not sitting. (e) Western Division. A party in a case filed in or to be filed in the Western Division with an emergency matter should first contact the Western Division judge, or in that judge’s absence, the Western Division magistrate judge. If neither can be reached, then the emergency judge is authorized to handle the matter. Committee Comment. In general, matters are to be presented to the judge to whom the case is assigned. Under procedures adopted by the Court, if a judge anticipates being absent temporarily, that judge will designate another judge to hear the absent judge's call. The name of the designated judge is posted on the door of the courtroom regularly used by the absent judge. It is also posted on the Court’s website. If the absent judge did not designate another judge or where both the absent judge and the designated judge are unavailable, an emergency matter can then be taken before the emergency judge. If the emergency judge should also be unavailable, the matter can be brought to the attention of the chief judge. The chief judge is the chairperson of the Executive Committee, the Court's calendar committee. In that role the chief judge can instruct the parties as to which judge should hear the matter. While emergency matters arising outside of regular business hours are rare, it is not unusual that a party can anticipate that happening. An example is ongoing negotiations which, if they do not reach agreement, will lead one of the parties to seek injunctive relief and the negotiations must be concluded by a point in time that lies outside of regular business hours, e.g., midnight on a Saturday. In such instances the party should make every effort to contact the chambers of the emergency judge and inform staff of the potential emergency. In this way arrangements can be made that will give greater assurance that the emergency judge will be available in the event that the emergency matter does in fact occur. If an emergency matter occurs outside of regular business hours and the party has not made prior arrangements with the emergency judge, a telephone number is posted on the Court’s website for contacting a member of the staff of the emergency judge. Amended December 22, 2015 LR77.2. Emergencies; Emergency Judges LR77.2. Emergencies; Emergency Judges The clerk
shall sign orders of the following classes without submission to the court:
(1) consent orders extending for not more than 21 days in any instance the time
to file the record on appeal and to docket the appeal in the appellate court,
except in criminal cases; (2) orders of discontinuance, or dismissal on consent, except in bankruptcy
proceedings and in causes to which Rules
23(c) and 66 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply; and (3) consent orders satisfying decrees or canceling bonds. Amended November 19, 2009
LR77.3. Clerk to Sign Certain Orders LR77.3. Clerk to Sign Certain Orders Except where a judge fixes a
different time in accordance with this rule, the original of any motion shall
be filed by 4:30 p.m. of the second business day preceding the date of
presentment.A judge may fix
a time for delivery longer than that provided by this rule, or elect to hear
motions less frequently than daily, or both. In those instances where a judge
elects to fix a longer delivery time, or hear motions less frequently than
daily, or both, the judge shall notify the clerk in writing of the practice to
be adopted. The clerk shall maintain a list of the current motion practices of
each of the judges at the assignment desk.
LR78.1. Motions: Filing in Advance of Hearing LR78.1. Motions: Filing in Advance of Hearing Where the
moving party, or if the party is represented by counsel, counsel for the moving
party, delivers a motion or objection to a magistrate judge’s order or report
without the notice required by LR5.3(b) and fails to serve notice of a date of presentment
within 14 days of delivering the copy of the motion or objection to the court
as provided by LR5.4, the court may on its own initiative deny the motion
or objection. Amended February 28, 2007; November 19, 2009
LR78.2. Motions: Denial for Failure to Prosecute LR78.2. Motions: Denial for Failure to Prosecute The court may set a briefing
schedule. Oral argument may be allowed in the court’s discretion.Failure to file a supporting or
answering memorandum shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the motion or a
withdrawal of opposition thereto, but the court on its own motion or that of a
party may strike the motion or grant the same without further hearing. Failure
to file a reply memorandum within the requisite time shall be deemed a waiver
of the right to file.
LR78.3. Motions: Briefing Schedules, Oral Arguments, Failure to File Brief LR78.3. Motions: Briefing Schedules, Oral Arguments, Failure to File Brief Where
evidentiary matter, in addition to affidavits permitted or required under Rules
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, will be submitted in support of a
motion, copies thereof shall be served with the notice of motion.
LR78.4. Motions: Copies of Evidentiary Matter to be Served LR78.4. Motions: Copies of Evidentiary Matter to be Served Any party may on notice provided for
by LR5.3 call a motion to the attention of the court for
decision.Any party may
also request the clerk to report on the status of any motion on file for at
least seven months without a ruling or on file and fully briefed for at least
sixty days. Such requests will be in writing. On receipt of a request the clerk
will promptly verify that the motion is pending and meets the criteria fixed by
this section. If it is not pending or does not meet the criteria, the clerk
will so notify the person making the request. If it is pending and does meet
the criteria, the clerk will thereupon notify the judge before whom the motion
is pending that a request has been received for a status report on the motion.
The clerk will not disclose the name of the requesting party to the judge. If
the judge provides information on the status of the motion, the clerk will
notify all parties. If the judge does not provide any information within ten
days of the clerk's notice to the judge, the clerk will notify all parties that
the motion is pending and that it has been called to the judge’s attention.
LR78.5. Motions: Request for Decision; Request for Status Report LR78.5. Motions: Request for Decision; Request for Status Report (a) Retention of Exhibits. Exhibits shall be retained by the
attorney producing them unless the court orders them deposited with the clerk.
In proceedings before a master or other like officer, the officer may elect to
include exhibits with the report.(b) Availability of
Exhibits. Exhibits
retained by counsel are subject to orders of the court. Upon request, counsel
shall make the exhibits or copies thereof available to any other party to
enable that party to designate or prepare the record on appeal.(c) Removal of Exhibits. Exhibits deposited with the clerk
shall be removed by the party responsible for them—(1) 90 days after a final
decision is rendered if no appeal is taken from that decision, or(2) where an appeal is taken,
within 30 days after the mandate of the reviewing court is filed.A party failing to comply
with this rule shall be notified by the clerk to remove the exhibits. If a
party fails to remove the exhibits within 30 days following such notice, the material
shall be sold by the marshal at public or private sale or disposed of as the
court directs. The net proceeds of the sale shall be paid into the registry of
the court.(d) Withdrawal of Records. Pleadings and records filed and
exhibits deposited with the clerk shall not be withdrawn from the custody of
the court except as provided by these rules or upon order of court. Parties
withdrawing their exhibits from the court’s custody and persons withdrawing
items pursuant to an order of court shall give the clerk a signed receipt
identifying the material taken, which receipt shall be filed. LR79.1. Records of the Court LR79.1. Records of the Court The
clerk shall maintain a listing in which shall be recorded any certificate of
purchase issued by the United States marshal, master in chancery or other
officer of this court, together with any certificate of redemption from such
sale, the costs thereof to be taxed in the cause in which the sale is made.
LR79.2. Redemption from Judicial Sales LR79.2. Redemption from Judicial Sales Pro se complaints brought under the Civil
Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §1983, by persons in custody shall be in
writing, signed and certified. Such complaints shall be on forms supplied by
LR81.1. Complaints Under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §1983, by Persons in Custody LR81.1. Complaints Under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §1983, by Persons in Custody After the entry of an order
remanding a case to a state court pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §1447(c) the clerk shall not transmit the certified copy of the
remand order for 14 days following the date of docketing that order unless the
court ordering the remand directs the clerk to transmit the certified copy of
the order at an earlier date.The
filing of a petition for reconsideration of such order shall not stop the
remand of the case unless the court orders otherwise.
LR81.2. Removals, Remands of Removals LR81.2. Removals, Remands of Removals (a) Approved Form. Petitions for writs of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2241 and §2254 and motions filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2255 shall, when filed by persons in custody, be submitted on forms approved by the Executive Committee. The clerk will supply copies of the approved forms to any person requesting them. (b) Capital Punishment Cases. Post conviction petitions filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2254 and §2255 by or on behalf of a petitioner under sentence of capital punishment shall proceed in accordance with the District Court Rules for the Disposition of Post Conviction Petitions Brought Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.§ 2254 and § 2255 in Cases Involving Petitioners Under a Sentence of Capital Punishment adopted by the Judicial Council of the Seventh Circuit. (c) Filing Outside of Business Hours. Counsel for the petitioner and counsel for any other person or group seeking leave to file amicus briefs or motions should communicate with either the chief deputy clerk or the senior staff attorney promptly after counsel’s appointment to establish procedures to be used in the event of an emergency. Should an emergency arise before such procedures have been established and at a time that the clerk’s office is not open, counsel should use the phone number posted on the Court’s website for the Emergency Judge. (d) §2255 Motions. The clerk shall cause a civil case number to be assigned to any motion filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Except where otherwise ordered, a separate file and docket of the pleadings filed in connection with such motions shall be maintained under the civil case number. The clerk shall cause a docket entry to be made on the criminal docket indicating the filing of any §2255 motion and the civil case number assigned to the motion. The docket entry will also indicate that a file and docket with that civil case number is maintained for filing and docketing the motion and pleadings associated with the §2255 motion. Amended December 22, 2015 LR81.3. Habeas Corpus Proceedings by Persons in Custody LR81.3. Habeas Corpus Proceedings by Persons in Custody (a) Appeal From Immigration Judge. Where an appeal from an order of an Immigration Judge is permitted by law, the petition must show that the alien has taken such an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and that the appeal has been denied.(b) Petition. In complying with the requirements of 28 U.S.C. §2242, the petitioner shall specify the acts which have deprived the petitioner of a fair hearing or other reasons entitling petitioner to the relief sought. To the extent practicable, the petition shall state the following:(1) that the facts recited have been obtained from the records of the Department of Homeland Security; or(2) that access to such records has been refused, in which event the petition shall state when and by whom application was made and refused; or(3) that the interval between the notice of removal and the date of removal is too short to allow an examination of the records. The petition shall further set forth the dates of the notice and the affirmance of the orders, the date set for departure, and the basis for inability to make the necessary examination.(c) Service of Writ and Stay of Order. The writ shall be addressed to, and must be personally served upon, the officer who has actual physical custody of the alien. Service may not be made upon a master after a ship has cast off her moorings. Service may be not be made upon a captain of an aircraft after an alien has boarded the aircraft and the aircraft door is closed. Service of the writ does not stay the removal of an alien pending the court's decision on the writ, unless the court orders otherwise. Amended May 27, 2015 LR81.4. Habeas Corpus Proceedings in Deportation Cases LR81.4. Habeas Corpus Proceedings in Deportation Cases LR83.1. Court Facilities: Limitations on Use Local Rule(a) Court Environs Defined. For the purpose of this rule the term "court environs" shall refer to the following areas:(1) in Chicago in the Courthouse:(A) the 6th through the 8th floors, and the 10th through the 25th floors, inclusive;(B) the offices of the Pretrial Services Department of this Court on the 15th floor, and the public corridors immediately adjacent to those offices;(C) the central jury assembly lounge, south elevator banks, and corridors leading from one to the other on the 2nd floor; and(D) the immediate areas surrounding the elevators on the 1st floor;(2) in Chicago but not in the Courthouse, the offices of the Probation Department of this Court located at 230 S. Dearborn Street;(3) in the Eastern Division but not in Chicago, the immediate area surrounding the courtroom on the 2nd floor of the Federal Building and Courthouse at Joliet; and(4) in Rockford in the Courthouse:(A) the entire 5th and 6th floors(B) the 1st floor areas to include the Bankruptcy Court clerk’s office, the offices of Probation and Pretrial Services, and the public corridors immediately adjacent to those offices;(C) the 2nd floor jury assembly room, grand jury room, District Court clerk’s office, and the public corridors immediately adjacent to those offices;(D) the 3rd floor Bankruptcy Court courtoooms, the mediation rooms, the 4th floor Bankruptcy Court chambers, and the corridors immediately adjacent to those spaces.(b) Soliciting & Loitering Prohibited. Soliciting and loitering within the court environs is prohibited. The unapproved congregating of groups or the causing of a disturbance or nuisance within the courthouses of this Court is prohibited. Picketing or parading outside of the courthouses of this Court is prohibited only when such picketing or parading obstructs or impedes the orderly administration of justice.(c) No Cameras or Recorders. Except as provided for in section (e) below, the taking of photographs, radio and television broadcasting or taping in the court environs during the progress of or in connection with judicial proceedings including proceedings before a United States magistrate judge, whether or not court is actually in session, is prohibited.(d) ) Marshal to Enforce. The United States marshal and the Custodian of the courthouses shall enforce sections (b) and (c) of this rule, either by ejecting violators from the courthouse or by causing them to appear before one of the judges of this Court for a hearing and the imposition of such punishment as the court may deem proper. Amended 5/27/16 LR83.1. Court Facilities: Limitations on Use LR83.1. Court Facilities: Limitations on Use (Rule
Deleted 06/02/11 per General Order 11-0012)
LR83.2. Oath of Master, Commissioner, etc. LR83.2. Oath of Master, Commissioner, etc. Except
in sales of realty or interests therein, publication of any notice or
advertisement required by law or rule of court shall be made in a newspaper of
general circulation, in the city of Chicago when the case is pending in the
Eastern Division, and in a newspaper of general circulation in the cities of
Freeport or Rockford when the case is pending in the Western Division.
Additional notices or advertisements may be published
via the Internet or e-mail, or such other means as ordered by the court. Amended
LR83.3. Publication of Advertisements LR83.3. Publication of Advertisements When an order is entered directing the clerk to transfer a case to another district pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§1404, 1406, or 1412, the clerk shall delay the transfer of the case for 14 days following the date of docketing the order of transfer, provided that where the court directs that the case be transferred forthwith, no such delay shall be made. In effecting the transfer, the clerk shall transmit the original of all documents, including the order of transfer, and a certified copy of the docket. The clerk shall note on the docket the date of the transfer.The filing of a petition for reconsideration of an order of transfer shall not serve to stop the transfer of the case. The court on its own motion or on motion of the party filing a petition for reconsideration may direct the clerk not to complete the transfer process until a date certain or further order of court. LR83.4. Transfers of Cases Under 28 U.S.C. §§1404, 1406, 1412 LR83.4. Transfers of Cases Under 28 U.S.C. §§1404, 1406, 1412 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 652(d), all non-binding alternative dispute resolution ("ADR")
proceedings referred or approved by any judicial officer of this court in a
case pending before such judicial officer, including any act or statement made
by any party, attorney or other participant, shall, in all respects, be
privileged and not reported, recorded, placed in evidence, made known to the
trial court or jury (without consent of all parties), or construed for any
purpose as an admission in the case referred or in any case or proceeding. No
participant in the ADR proceedings shall be bound by anything done or said at
the ADR conference unless a settlement is reached, in which event the
settlement shall be reduced to writing or otherwise memorialized and shall be
binding upon all parties to the settlement.
LR83.5. Confidentiality of Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings LR83.5. Confidentiality of Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings (a) Qualifications. An applicant for admission to the bar of this Court must be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state of the United States or of the District of Columbia. (b) Petition Form. The Executive Committee will approve a form of petition to be used by anyone applying for admission to practice. Copies of the approved form will be provided on request by the Clerk. (c) Filing Petition. Each person applying for admission to practice shall electronically file with the Clerk a completed petition for admission on the approved form. The petitioner must electronically file with the petition the following attachments in pdf format: (1) a certificate from the highest court of a state of the United States or of the District of Columbia that the petitioner is a member in good standing of the bar of that court; and (2) the affidavits of two attorneys who are currently and for at least two years have been members in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state of the United States or of the District of Columbia and who have known the applicant for at least one year, and (3) a notarized Oath of Office form or Oath of Office form signed by the courtroom deputy of the judge before whom the attorney was sworn in. (d) Screening the Petition. The Clerk, under the supervision of the Executive Committee, will screen each petition to assure that it is filed on the correct form, has been completed, and contains sufficient information to establish that the petitioner meets the qualifications required for the general bar, and is accompanied by the required affidavits of sponsors, the Oath of Office form, and a current indication of good standing. Where these requirements are met, an indication to that effect will be placed on the petition and the petitioner will be notified that the petition is approved. Where the requirements are not met, the petition will be returned to the applicant with appropriate instructions. (e) Taking the Oath. The petitioner’s signature on the "Oath of Office" must be notarized. A petitioner who seeks admission but does not have a signed and notarized "Oath of Office" may, within 30 days of the petition being submitted pursuant to section (d), appear before a district judge of this Court or a magistrate judge to take the oath or affirmation required for admission. In such circumstances, an attorney who is a member in good standing of the bar of this Court must accompany the petitioner and move for his/her admission. (f) Admission Fee. Each petitioner shall pay an admission fee upon the filing of the petition, subject to refund should the petitioner not be admitted. The amount of the fee shall be established by the court in conjunction with the fee prescribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1914. (g) Certificate of Admission. On receipt of either (1) the petition form reflecting that the petitioner has taken the oath of office, or (2) the petitioner’s own motion, accompanied by a letter or certificate of good standing (not more than 30 days old at the time of application) to Practice in another District of Illinois, and by the attorney’s certification that his or her right to practice law is not suspended by order of court in any jurisdiction, the Clerk shall promptly issue a certificate indicating that petitioner has been admitted to the general bar of this Court and shall add petitioner’s name to the list of attorneys admitted to that bar. Amended November 2, 2010, January 26, 2016, and December 23, 2016 LR83_10. General Bar LR83.10. General Bar (a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this rule: (1) The term "testimonial proceedings" refers to proceedings that meet all of the following criteria: (A ) they are evidentiary proceedings in which all testimony is given under oath and a record is made of the testimony;(B) the witness or witnesses are subject to cross-examination;(C ) a presiding judge or administrative law judge is present;(D ) the parties to such proceedings are represented by attorneys; and (E) where a proceeding is held before an administrative agency, the findings and determinations of the agency are based upon the record and are reviewable for sufficiency of evidence by a court of record. Procedures limited to taking the deposition of a witness do not constitute testimonial proceedings for the purposes of this rule. (2) The term "qualifying trial" refers to an evidentiary proceeding that meets the following criteria: (A ) it lasts at least one day; (B) it is a trial or hearing that involves substantial testimonial proceedings going to the merits; and (C) it is held in open court before one of the following: a district judge or magistrate judge of a United States district court; a judge of a United States bankruptcy court; a judge of the United States Tax Court; a judge of a trial court of record of a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States; or any administrative law judge. (3) The term "participation units" shall mean a qualifying trial in which the petitioner participated as the lead counsel or the assistant to the lead counsel. (4) The term "observation unit" shall mean a qualifying trial that the petitioner observed while being supervised by a supervising attorney who consulted with the petitioner about the trial. At the time of the observation the supervising attorney must either be a member of the trial bar of this Court or have had previous trial experience equivalent to at least 4 participation units. (5) The term "simulation unit" shall mean a trial advocacy program in which the focus is experiential, as contrasted to lecture, in which the petitioner satisfactorily participated either as a law school or a continuing legal education course. (6) The term "training unit of the District Court" shall mean a training seminar officially sanctioned by the Court (including, for example Pavey hearings on the administrative exhaustion defense to a prisoner case, or "EAR" hearings for early resolution of prisoner conditions-of-confinement claims). (7) The term "qualifying unit of trial experience" shall include any of the following: participation units, observation units, simulation units, or training units. A petitioner shall be credited for units of trial experience as follows: (A) for each participation unit, 2 units where the trial lasted 5 days or less, 3 units where the trial lasted from 6 to 10 full days, and 4 units where the trial lasted 11 or more full days; (B) for each observation unit, 1 unit; (C) for one allowable simulation unit, 2 units; and (D) for each training unit of the District Court, 1 unit. (8) The term "required trial experience" shall mean not less than 4 qualifying units of trial experience no more than 2 of which may be simulation units. (b) Qualifications. An applicant for admission to the trial bar of this Court must be a member in good standing of the general bar of this Court, must be a certified e-filer, must provide evidence of having the required trial experience, and must be sponsored by one current member of the trial bar who has known the applicant for at least one year and can attest to his/her competence. An attorney seeking admission to the trial bar who is not a member of the bar of this Court may apply for admission to both bars simultaneously. Trial bar membership must be renewed every three years as set forth in section (i). (c) Petition Form. The Executive Committee will approve a form of petition to be used by anyone applying for admission to the trial bar. Copies of the approved form will be provided on request by the clerk. (d) Screening the Petition. The Clerk, under the supervision of the Executive Committee, will screen each petition to assure that it is filed on the correct form, has been completed, and contains sufficient information to establish that the petitioner meets the qualifications required for the trial bar. Where these requirements are met, an indication to that effect will be placed on the petition and the petitioner will be notified that the petition is approved. Where the requirements are not met, the petition will be returned to the applicant with appropriate instructions. (e) Admission Fee. Each petitioner shall pay an admission fee upon the filing of the petition, subject to refund, should the petitioner not be admitted. The amount of the fee shall be established by the court. The Clerk shall deposit the fee in the District Court Fund. (f) Duty to Maintain Contact Information. Every member of the trial bar must maintain current contact information (street address, telephone number, and e-mail address) with the Clerk, and must adivse the Clerk within 30 days of any change. (g) Duty to Supervise. Every member of the trial bar shall be available to be assigned by the court to supervise attorneys who are in the process of obtaining observation units needed to qualify for membership in the trial bar. Such assignments shall be made in a manner so as to allocate the responsibility imposed by this rule equally among all members of the trial bar. (h) Duty to Accept Assignments. Each member of the trial bar shall be available for assignment by the court to represent or assist in the representation of those who cannot afford counsel. (i) Renewal. Membership in the trial bar must be renewed every three years. An applicant for renewal must complete a Trial Bar Membership Renewal Form. The renewal fee shall be one-half of the current fee for admission to the trial bar. An attorney who does not renew his/her membership within one month of the expiration of the three-year anniversary date of admission to the trial bar will be deemed to have withdrawn. (j) Withdrawal from Trial Bar. A member of the trial bar may, on motion for good cause shown, voluntarily withdraw from said bar. Such motion shall be filed with the Clerk for presentation to the Executive Committee. Where the motion to withdraw is made by a member of the current pro bono panel (LR83.35(b), the name of the attorney will be removed from the pro bono panel if the motion is granted. (k) Reinstatement. Any attorney who has withdrawn from membership in the trial bar pursuant to section (i) but wishes to be reinstated must file a petition for reinstatement with the clerk for presentation to the Executive Committee. Where the attorney was a member of a pro bono panel at the time the petition to withdraw was filed, the petition for reinstatement shall include a statement indicating the attorney’s present willingness and ability to accept an assignment under LR83.35 through LR83.41. If the committee grants the motion in such an instance, it shall direct that the attorney be included in the pro bono panel and remain there for one year or until the attorney is assigned, whichever comes first. Amended May 27, 2015, June 29, 2015 and December 23, 2016 LR83_11. Trial Bar LR83.11. Trial Bar (a) Who May Appear. Except as provided in LR83.14 and LR83.15 and as otherwise provided in this rule, only members in good standing of the general bar of this Court may enter an appearance on behalf of a party; file pleadings, motions or other documents; sign stipulations; or receive payments upon judgments, decrees or orders. Attorneys admitted to the trial bar may appear alone in all matters. Attorneys admitted to the general bar, but not to the trial bar, may appear in association with a member of the trial bar in all matters and may appear alone except as otherwise provided by this rule. The following officers appearing in their official capacity shall be entitled to appear in all matters before the court without admission to the trial bar of this Court: the Attorney General of the United States, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the attorney general or other highest legal officer of any state, and the state’s attorney of any county in the State of Illinois. This exception to membership in the trial bar shall apply to such persons as hold the above- described offices during their terms of office, and to their assistants. (b) Testimonial Proceedings. An attorney who is a member of the trial bar may appear alone during testimonial proceedings. An attorney who is a member of the general bar, but not of the trial bar, may appear during testimonial proceedings only if accompanied by a member of the trial bar who is serving as advisor. For the purposes of this rule the definition of the term "testimonial proceedings" is the same as in LR83.11(a)(1). (c) Criminal Proceedings. An attorney who is a member of the trial bar may appear alone on behalf of a defendant in a criminal proceeding. An attorney who is a member of the general bar, but not a member of the trial bar, may (1) appear as lead counsel for a defendant in a criminal proceeding only if accompanied by a member of the trial bar who is serving as advisor and (2) sign pleadings, motions or other documents filed on behalf of the defendant only if such documents are co-signed by a member of the trial bar. (d) Waiver. A judge may permit an attorney admitted to the general bar, but not the trial bar, to appear alone in any aspect of a civil or criminal proceeding only upon written request by the client and a showing that the interests of justice are best served by a waiver of these rules. Such permission shall apply only to the proceeding in which it was granted and shall be limited to exceptional circumstances. Amended June 24, 2009 and December 23, 2016 LR83_12. Appearance of Attorneys Generally LR83.12. Appearance of Attorneys Generally A law school student who has been certified by the Administrative Director of Illinois Courts to render services in accordance with Rule 711 of the Rules of the Illinois Supreme Court may perform such services in this Court under like conditions and under the supervision of a member of the trial bar of this Court. In addition to the agencies specified in paragraph (b) of said Rule 711, the law school student may render such services under the supervision of the United States Attorney for this District, the legal staff of any agency of the United States government or the Federal Defender Program for this District including any of its staff or panel attorneys or, with the prior approval of the assigned judge on a case-by-case basis, any member of the trial bar of this court. Amended December 23, 2016 LR83_13. Representation by Supervised Senior Law Students LR83.13. Representation by Supervised Senior Law Students A member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state or of any United States district court may, upon motion, be permitted to argue or try a particular case in whole or in part subject to the requirements of LR83.12. A petition for admission under this rule shall be on a form approved by the Executive Committee. The Clerk shall provide copies of such forms on request. The fee for admission under this Rule shall be established by the Court. The fee shall be paid to the Clerk who shall deposit it in the District Court Fund. A petition for admission under this rule may be presented by the petitioner. No admission under this rule shall become effective until such time as the fee has been paid. Amended May 31, 2011 and December 23, 2016 LR83_14. Appearance by Attorneys Not Members of the Bar LR83.14. Appearance by Attorneys Not Members of the Bar (a) Designation. An attorney not having an office within
this District (“nonresident attorney”) may appear
before this Court only upon having designated as local counsel a member of the bar of this Court
having an office within
this District upon whom service
of papers may be made. Such designation shall be made at the time
the initial notice or
pleading is filed by the nonresident attorney. Local counsel shall file an appearance but is not required to participate in the case
beyond performance of the duties identified in section (c).
(b)Penalties. Where a nonresident attorney tenders documents without
the required designation of local counsel,
the Clerk shall process them as if the designation were filed
and shall promptly notify the
attorney in writing that the designation must be made within 30 days.
If the attorney fails to file the designation within that time, the documents filed
by the attorney may be stricken
(c) Duties of Local Counsel. Local counsel shall
be responsible for receiving service of notices, pleadings,
other documents and promptly
notifying the nonresident attorney of their receipt and contents.
local counsel may appear on behalf of the nonresident attorney. This
rule does not require local
counsel to handle any substantive
aspects of the litigation. Nor does the rule require
local counsel to sign any pleading,
motion or other paper (See Fed.R.Civ.P. 11).
Amended December 23, 2016
LR83_15. Local Counsel: Designation for Service LR83.15. Local Counsel: Designation for Service (a) General. The Executive Committee will approve the format of the appearance form to be used. The Clerk shall provide copies of the forms on request.(b) Who Must File. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, an appearance form shall be filed by every attorney or senior law student who represents a party in any proceeding brought in this Court, whether before a district judge or magistrate judge. No appearance form need be filed by the United States Attorney or any Assistant United States Attorney where the appearance is on behalf of the United States, any agency thereof or one of its officials. The United States Attorney’s Office must provide the name of a designated Assistant United States Attorney who is to receive electronic notices of Court proceedings in addition to the notices received by the United States Attorney’s central e-mail account.(c) Appearance by Firms Prohibited. Appearance forms are to list only the name of an individual attorney. The Clerk is directed to bring to the attention of the assigned judge any appearance form listing a firm of attorneys rather than an individual attorney. For the purposes of this rule, an individual attorney who practices as a professional corporation may file the appearance as the professional corporation.(d) When To Be Filed. An attorney required by these rules to file an appearance form shall file the form prior to or simultaneously with the filing of any motion, brief or other document in a proceeding before a district judge or magistrate judge of this Court, or at the attorney’s initial appearance before a district judge or magistrate judge of this Court, whichever occurs first.Where the appearance is filed by an attorney representing a criminal defendant in a proceeding before a district judge or magistrate judge, the attorney shall serve a copy of the appearance on the United States attorney.(e) Penalties. If the Clerk determines that an attorney who has filed documents or appeared in court has not filed the appearance form required by this rule, the Clerk will notify the district judge or magistrate judge before whom the proceedings are pending. An attorney who fails to file an appearance form where required to do so by this rule may be sanctioned. (f) Emergency Appearances. An attorney may appear before a district judge or magistrate judge without filing an appearance form as required by this rule where the purpose of the appearance is to stand in for an attorney who has filed or is required to file such a form and the latter attorney is unable to appear because of an emergency.(g) Attorney ID Numbers. The number issued to members of the Illinois bar by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, or such other number as may be approved by the Executive Committee, shall serve as the attorney’s identification number. The Clerk shall issue identification numbers to attorneys who are not members of the Illinois bar. Amended June 24, 2009 and December 23, 2016 LR83_16. Appearance Forms LR83.16. Appearance Forms An attorney who has
filed an appearance form pursuant
to LR83.16
is the attorney of record for
the party represented for all purposes incident to
the proceeding in which the appearance was filed.
The attorney of record may not withdraw, nor may any other attorney file an appearance
on behalf of the same party
or as a substitute for the attorney of record, without first obtaining leave of court, except that substitutions
or additions may be made without motion
where both counsel are of
the same firm. Where
the appearance indicates that
pursuant to these rules a member
of the trial bar is acting
as a supervisor or is accompanying
a member of the general bar, the
trial bar member included in the appearance may not withdraw, nor may another
member be added or substituted, without
first obtaining leave of court.
Where an attorney withdraws
from representing a party in
a case and no other
attorney has an active
appearance on the docket for that party,
the form Notification
Contact Information must
be electronically filed as an attachment
to the motion to withdraw. Amended 5/27/16 and December
LR83_17. Withdrawal, Addition, and Substitution of Counsel LR83.17. Withdrawal, Addition, and Substitution of Counsel (a) Automatic Transfer. When a member of the general bar of this Court is transferred to inactive status by the highest court of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, the order transferring the attorney to inactive status shall stand as the order transferring the attorney to inactive status in this Court. Upon being made aware of any order that would automatically transfer a member of the general bar to inactive status, the Clerk shall promptly notify the attorney of the provisions of this rule. The Clerk’s notice will identify the order upon which automatic transfer to inactive status is being based. Within 21 days of the mailing of the notice by the Clerk, the attorney subject to automatic transfer to inactive status may file a motion with the Executive Committee requesting relief from the transfer to inactive status and stating reasons for the request. (b) Motion for Transfer. An attorney may, in the absence of disciplinary proceedings, file a motion with the Executive Committee requesting transfer to inactive status. The Committee may appoint the United States Attorney or any other attorney to conduct an investigation and make recommendations to the Committee as to whether the motion should be granted. (c) Practice of Law Prohibited. An attorney who has been transferred to inactive status may not engage in the practice of law before this Court until restored to active status. (d) Automatic Reinstatement. When an attorney has been transferred to inactive status by the highest court of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia solely for nonpayment of registration fees and has been reinstated upon payment of registration fees, that attorney will automatically be reinstated to the roll of attorneys of this Court upon receipt of notification by the clerk of that court. (e) Reinstatement. An attorney who has been transferred to inactive status may file a petition for reinstatement with the Executive Committee. If the petition is denied by the Executive Committee, the attorney shall, upon request, be granted a hearing for review of the denial. (f)Disciplinary Proceedings. Disciplinary proceedings may be commenced against an attorney in inactive status. If a disciplinary proceeding is pending against an attorney at the time the attorney is transferred to inactive status, the Executive Committee shall determine whether the disciplinary proceeding is to proceed or is to be held in abeyance until further order of the Committee. Amended December 23, 2016 LR83_18. Transfer to Inactive Status LR83.18. Transfer to Inactive Status (a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to the disciplinary rules: (1) The term "another court" shall mean any other court of the United States or of the District of Columbia, or of any state, territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States. (2) The term "complaint of misconduct" shall mean any document in which it is alleged that an attorney practicing before this Court is guilty of misconduct. (3) The term "discipline" shall include disbarment, suspension from practice before this Court, reprimand or censure, and such other disciplinary action as the circumstances may warrant, including, but not limited to, restitution of funds, satisfactory completion of educational programs, compliance with treatment programs, and community service. The term discipline is not intended to include sanctions or contempt. (4) The term "misconduct" shall mean any act or omission by an attorney admitted to practice before this Court that violates the applicable Code of Conduct. (b) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall serve as the disciplinary committee of the Court. (c) Jurisdiction. Nothing contained in these rules shall be construed to deny such powers as are necessary for a district judge, magistrate judge or bankruptcy judge of this Court to maintain control over proceedings conducted before that district judge, magistrate judge or bankruptcy judge, such as proceedings for contempt under LR37.1, Fed.R.Crim.P. 42 or18 U.S.C. §§401 and 402. (d) Attorneys Admitted Under LR83.14. An attorney who is not a member of the bar of this Court who, pursuant to LR83.14, petitions to appear or is permitted to appear in this Court for purposes of a particular proceeding (pro hac vice), shall be deemed thereby to have conferred disciplinary jurisdiction upon this Court for any alleged misconduct of that attorney arising in the course of or in the preparation for such proceeding. (e) Confidentiality. Proceedings before the Executive Committee shall be confidential, except that the Committee may in the interests of justice and on such terms it deems appropriate authorize the Clerk to produce, disclose, release, inform, report, or testify to any information, reports, investigations, documents, evidence or transcripts in the clerk’s possession. Where a disciplinary proceeding is assigned to a judge of this Court pursuant to these rules, the record and hearings in the proceeding before that judge shall be public, unless for good cause that judge shall in writing order otherwise. Final orders in disciplinary matters shall be a matter of public record and may be published at the direction of the Executive Committee or the assigned judge. (f) Filing. An answer to a rule to show cause, a statement of charges, and any other document filed in connection with a disciplinary proceeding before the Executive Committee shall be filed with the attorney admissions coordinator or such other deputy clerk as the Clerk may in writing designate. Committee Comment: A proceeding to discipline a member of the bar of this Court can arise in one of three ways: another court disciplines the attorney; the attorney is convicted of a serious crime; or a complaint is filed alleging misconduct on the part of the attorney. Traditionally, most disciplinary proceedings have been reciprocal proceedings, i.e., proceedings initiated following the discipline of the attorney by another court. The next largest group of disciplinary proceedings consist of those initiated by the conviction of an attorney in this Court for a serious crime. The Executive Committee is the disciplinary committee of the Court. In those circumstances where an evidentiary hearing may be required as part of the disciplinary proceeding, the Committee may direct that the proceeding be assigned to an individual judge. (LR83.28(e)) As section (c) indicates, the disciplinary rules are not intended to diminish or usurp the authority of a judge in maintaining order in that judge’s courtroom or in enforcing compliance with that judge’s orders. Disciplinary proceedings are not alternatives to contempt proceedings LR83.14 establishes the procedures for admitting an attorney who wishes to appear pro hac vice. Section (d) of LR83.25 provides that such attorneys are subject to the same discipline as attorneys who are members of the general bar of the Court. Section (e) of this rule provides that in general disciplinary proceedings are confidential. Any final orders imposing discipline are public. Where a proceeding is assigned to an individual judge, it becomes at that point like any other civil proceeding, a matter of public record. As with any other civil case, there may be exceptional circumstances where some or all of the record or hearings should not be made public. Section (e) permits this. Section (f) makes explicit what has been a practice of long standing: materials relating to disciplinary proceedings before the Executive Committee are to be filed with the Attorney Admissions Coordinator. This procedure enables more effective control over the documents in disciplinary proceedings, a control necessary to assure that the confidentiality of such proceedings is maintained. In addition, the coordinator serves as a source of information on procedure for attorneys involved in disciplinary proceedings . Amended May 31, 2011 and December 23, 2016 LR83_25. Disciplinary Proceedings Generally LR83.25. Disciplinary Proceedings Generally (a) Duty to Notify. Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court shall, upon being subjected to public discipline by another court, promptly inform the Clerk of this Court of such action.(b) Disciplinary Order as Evidence. Except as provided in section (e), the final adjudication in another court that an attorney has been guilty of misconduct shall establish conclusively the misconduct for purposes of a disciplinary proceeding in this Court.(c) Rule to Show Cause. Upon the filing of a certified or exemplified copy of a judgment or order demonstrating that an attorney admitted to practice before this court has been disciplined by another court, the Executive Committee shall forthwith enter an order directing that the attorney inform the Committee of any claim by that attorney predicated upon the groundsset forth in section (e) that the imposition of the identical discipline by this Court would be unwarranted and the reasons for such a claim. The order will also provide that the response, if any, is to be filed with the Clerk within 14 days of service. A certified copy of the order and a copy of the judgment or order from the other court will be served on the attorney by certified mail.(d) Effect of Stay of Imposition of Discipline in Other Court. In the event the discipline imposed in the other jurisdiction has been stayed, any reciprocal discipline imposed in this Court shall be deferred until such stay expires.(e) Imposition of Discipline; Exceptions. Upon the expiration of 14 days from service of the notice issued pursuant to the provisions of section (b), the Executive Committee shall immediately impose the identical discipline unless the attorney demonstrates, or the Executive Committee finds--1.that the procedure before the other court was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to constitute a deprivation of due process; or2.that there was such a infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct as to give rise to the clear conviction that this Court could not, consistent with its duty, accept as final the conclusion on that subject; or3.that the imposition of the same discipline by this Court would result in injustice; or4.that the misconduct established is deemed by this Court to warrant different discipline.If the Executive Committee determines that any of those elements exist, it shall enter such other order as it deems appropriate. Amended January 30, 2009 and December 23, 2016 LR83_26. Discipline of Attorneys Disciplined by Other Courts LR83.26. Discipline of Attorneys Disciplined by Other Courts (a) Automatic Suspension. Upon the filing with this Court of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction demonstrating that any attorney admitted to practice before the Court has been convicted of a serious crime in this or another court, the Executive Committee shall enter an order immediately suspending that attorney, until final disposition of a disciplinary proceeding to be commenced upon such conviction. Such order shall be entered regardless of whether the conviction resulted from a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or from a verdict after trial or otherwise, and regardless of the pendency of any appeal. A copy of such order shall immediately be served upon the attorney. Upon good cause shown, the Executive Committee may set aside such order when it appears in the interest of justice to do so.(b) Judgment of Conviction as Evidence. A certified copy of a judgment of conviction of any attorney for any crime shall be conclusive evidence of the commission of that crime in any disciplinary proceeding instituted against that attorney based upon the conviction.(c) Executive Committee to Institute Disciplinary Proceedings. Upon the filing of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney for a serious crime, the Executive Committee shall, in addition to suspending that attorney in accordance with the provisions of this rule, institute a disciplinary proceeding in which the sole issue to be determined shall be the extent of the final discipline to be imposed as a result of the conduct resulting in the conviction. Each disciplinary proceeding so instituted will not be concluded until all appeals from the conviction are concluded.(d) Proceedings Where Attorney Convicted of Other Than Serious Crime. Upon the filing of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney for a crime not constituting a serious crime, the Executive Committee may, in its discretion, initiate a disciplinary proceeding.(e) Reinstatement where Conviction Reversed. An attorney suspended pursuant to section (a) will be reinstated immediately upon the filing of a certificate demonstrating that the underlying conviction of a serious crime has been reversed, but the reinstatement will not terminate any disciplinary proceeding then pending against the attorney. The disposition of such proceeding shall be determined by the Executive Committee on the basis of all available evidence pertaining to both guilt and the extent of discipline to be imposed. Amended December 23, 2016 LR83_27. Discipline of Convicted Attorneys LR83.27. Discipline of Convicted Attorneys (a) Complaint of Misconduct. Any complaint of misconduct shall be filed with the chief judge. The complaint may be in the form of a letter. The chief judge shall refer it to the Executive Committee for consideration and appropriate action. (b) Action by Executive Committee. On receipt of a complaint of misconduct, the Committee may forward a copy to the attorney and ask for a response within a time set by the Committee. On the basis of the complaint of misconduct and any response, the Committee may— (1) determine that the complaint merits no further action, or (2) direct that formal disciplinary proceedings be commenced, or (3) take such other action as the Committee deems appropriate, including the assignment of an attorney pursuant to LR83.29. (c) Statement of Charges; Service. To initiate formal disciplinary proceedings based on allegations of misconduct, the Executive Committee shall issue a statement of charges. In addition to setting forth the charges, the statement of charges shall include an order requiring the attorney to show cause, within 14 days after service, why the attorney should not be disciplined. Upon issuance of the statement of charges, the Clerk shall forthwith mail two copies to the attorney’s last known address. One copy shall be mailed by certified mail, restricted to addressee only, return receipt requested. The other copy shall be mailed by first class mail. If the statement is returned as undeliverable, the Clerk shall so notify the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may direct that further attempts at service be made, either personal service by a private process server or by the United States marshal, or by publication. Personal service shall be accomplished in the manner provided by Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(b) for service other than by mail. Service by publication shall be accomplished by publishing a copy of the rule to show cause portion of the statement in accordance with the provisions of LR83.3. Except as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee, the division of the Court in which the notice is to be published will be as follows: (1) where the last known address of the attorney is located in the District, the division in which the address is located; or, (2) where no address is known or the last known address is outside of the District, the Eastern Division. (d) Answer; Declaration. The attorney shall file, with the answer to the statement of charges, a declaration identifying all courts before which the attorney is admitted to practice. The form of the declaration shall be established by the Executive Committee. (e) Assignment to Individual Judge. Following the filing of the answer to the statement of charges, if the Executive Committee determines that an evidentiary hearing is required, the proceeding shall be assigned by lot for a prompt hearing before a judge of this Court. The assigned judge shall not be one who was a member of the Executive Committee that determined that an evidentiary hearing was required. The decision of the assigned judge shall be final. (f) Disbarment on Consent. Any attorney admitted to practice before this Court who is the subject of an investigation into, or a pending proceeding involving, allegations of misconduct may consent to disbarment, but only by delivering a declaration stating that the attorney desires to consent to disbarment and that:) the attorney’s consent is freely and