Northern District of Illinois Strikes Most Hearings Through April 3, 2020 and Extends Most Deadlines by 21 Days.
March 16th, 2020
The following procedures have been adopted by the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, effective March 17, 2020:
In all civil cases, all deadlines, whether set by the court or by the Rules of Civil Procedure or Local Rules, are hereby extended by 21 days from the current deadline set. This also includes dates set by the Executive Committee in proceedings set before that Committee. The United States District Court remains accessible via electronic filing, and, in emergency situations and where resources permit, phone conferencing and video conferencing.
Civil case hearings, trials, and settlement conferences scheduled from March 17, 2020 until April 3, 2020 are stricken from the calendar, to be re-set by the presiding judge on or after April 6, 2020. The parties are cautioned that this Amended General Order does not affect the rights to or deadlines concerning any appeal from any decision of this Court. That is, the deadlines for filing a notice of appeal remain in place and must be followed to preserve appellate rights. The Court invites parties to file an extension of time to appeal under Appellate Rule 4(a)(5)(A) no later than 30 days after the time prescribed by Rule 4(a). If a timely extension motion is filed, then the Court deems that good cause exists for the extension in light of current public-health concerns.
During the effective period of this Order, the District Court Clerk's Office in the Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, will be open with limited staff. If possible, filings should be made
electronically via CM/ECF. Deliveries of documents of any kind in the Eastern Division must be made to the drop boxes in the lobby of the Dirksen Courthouse or the Clerk's Office located on the 20th floor. No deliveries may be made to chambers.
Electronic filings may still be made through the CM/ECF system.
This General Order does not affect the authority of judges to enter orders in any civil or criminal cases.
Any party may seek emergency relief from this General Order. In addition to filing the motion in the case in which the emergency relief is being sought, the party also must file the motion in Case No. 20-cv-01792, which is a docket created to receive emergency motions under this Amended General Order. The motion must be filed (i) electronically via CM/ECF if possible or (ii) via a paper-copy motion (following guidance in Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Order) with the Clerk's Office. The motion will be considered by the presiding judge, an emergency judge, or the Chief Judge.
For emergency matters, as defined by Local Rule 77.2, that arise during business hours (Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.), parties are directed to send an e-mail message to Emergency_Judge@ilnd.uscourts.gov. The Clerk will monitor the mailbox and send a response. If an emergency matter arises outside of regular business hours, arrangements to bring that matter before the emergency judge may be made by calling (312) 702-8875 and leaving a complete message, including a return telephone number. The Clerk will return the call.
CM/ECF users; by first-class mail to unregistered litigants, including pro se litigants, and to attorneys pending pro hac vice admission; and by posting the General Order on the Court's public website. ENTER:
