Local Bankruptcy Rules

for the

Northern District of Illinois

Adopted: 24 June 1994

Effective: 11 July 1994

Revised: February 1996


Introduction
Organization of Rules
Table of Contents

Introduction

These local Bankruptcy Rules are intended to conform to the following guidelines:

  1. They should be consistent with Acts of Congress, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
  2. They should not repeat any provisions of Acts of Congress, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
  3. They should include all local General and Civil Rules of general procedural impact, most of which are presently adopted as local Bankruptcy Rules, so as to keep practice before the Bankruptcy Court procedurally similar to practice before the rest of the District Court and to provide those practicing primarily before the Bankruptcy Court a convenient single set of those rules specifically relevant to proceedings before that Court.
  4. They should allow flexibility and judicial discretion in case management, and simplicity in procedures.
  5. They should conform as much as possible to present practices and procedures.
  6. They should provide guidance to counsel through the Committee notes following each rule.


Organization of Rules

Rules 100-199 Definitions and Scope of Rules

Rules 200-299 Court Seal, Bankruptcy Judges, and Clerk

Rules 300-399 Commencement and Assignment of Cases

Rules 400-499 Notices, Motions, Service of Papers, and Miscellaneous Litigation Matters

Rules 500-599 Trustees

Rules 600-699 Professionals

Rules 700-799 Chapter 7 Rules

Rules 800-899 Reserved

Rules 900-999 Chapter 9 Rules

Rules 1000-1099 Reserved

Rules 1100-1199 Chapter 11 Rules

Rules 1200-1299 Reserved for Chapter 12 Rules, if required

Rules 1300-1399 Chapter 13 Rules

Rules 1400-1499 Appeals and Withdrawals of Reference


Table of Contents

RULE 100. DEFINITIONS

RULE 101. SCOPE OF RULES

A. Scope of Rules
B. Previous Bankruptcy Rules and General Orders Rescinded
C. Application of Local General and Civil Rules

RULE 200. SEAL OF THE COURT

RULE 201. ACTING CHIEF JUDGE

RULE 202. MEETINGS OF THE COURT

RULE 203. RULE AMENDMENTS AND GENERAL ORDERS

A. Procedure for Proposing Amendments to Rules
B. General Orders
C. Standing Orders of Individual Judges

RULE 204. REGULAR SESSIONS AND PLACES OF HOLDING COURT

A. Places of Holding Court
B. Limitation on Holding Court Elsewhere

RULE 205. RECORDS OF THE COURT

A. Place of Keeping Records
B. Copies of Records

RULE 206. PAYMENT OR DEFERRAL OF FEES IN ADVANCE OF FILING

A. Filing Fees to be Paid in Advance; Exception
B. Order Permitting Filing Without Prepayment of Fee
C. Filing Fees for Documents Other Than Original Petitions

RULE 207. SOLICITING AND CAUSING DISTURBANCE

RULE 208. USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC, RADIO, AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT IN THE COURT ENVIRONS

RULE 209. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES 207 AND 208

RULE 210. RETURN OF MAILED NOTICES

RULE 211. RESERVED

RULE 212. PROTECTION OF COMPUTERS

RULE 300. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES

RULE 301. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM

A. Application of Sanctions to Employees of the Clerk's Office
B. Application of Sanctions to Persons other than Employees

RULE 302. MATERIALS TO BE FILED IN DIVISION IN WHICH CASE IS FILED

RULE 303. REASSIGNMENT

RULE 304. EMERGENCY JUDGE

A. Designation of Emergency Judge
B. Terms of Service of Emergency Judge

RULE 305. DUTIES OF THE EMERGENCY JUDGE

A. General
B. Absence or Unavailability of Emergency Judge
C. Posting Notice Identifying Emergency Judge

RULE 306. EMERGENCY MOTIONS

RULE 307. TEMPORARY ABSENCE OR UNAVAILABILITY OF THE ASSIGNED JUDGE

RULE 308. CLASSES OF MATTERS

RULE 309. NUMBERING MATTERS

RULE 310. CALENDARS

A. General
B. Calendar of a Judge who Dies, Retires, or Resigns
C. Calendar for a Newly-Appointed Judge

RULE 311. REASSIGNMENTS

A. Reassignments and Assignment of Cases by the Chief Judge
B. Limited Reassignments for Purposes of Coordinated Pretrials in Complex Cases
C. Recusals
D. Temporary Incapacity of a Judge

RULE 312. RELATED CASES

A. Relatedness Defined
B. Assignment of Related Case by Clerk at Filing
C. Transfer to Chief Judge for Reassignment as Related
D. Motion for Reassignment Based on Relatedness
E. Effect of Filing County on Reassignments for Relatedness

RULE 313. COMPUTER READABLE LISTS OF CREDITORS

RULE 400. FORM OF PAPERS FILED

A. Numbering Paragraphs in Pleadings
B. Size of Paper; Binding; Caption; Signature, Name, Address, and Phone Number of Person Filing Pleading
C. Format of Answers to Interrogatories
D. Briefs Limited to Fifteen Pages
E. Documents Not Complying with Rule Filed Subject to Being Stricken
F. Note or Memo Attached to Subpoena
G. Limit on Number of Interrogatories
H. Judge's Copy

RULE 401. PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING RESTRICTED DOCUMENTS

A. Definitions
B. Clerk to Maintain Secure Filing Area for Restricted Documents
C. Order Suppressing Documents
D. Filing of Suppressed Documents
E. Docketing Suppressed Documents
F. Sealed Documents
G. Disposition of Suppressed Documents
H. Documents Not Suppressed, Sealed, etc., are Public
I. Forbidden Acts and Sanctions

RULE 402. MOTIONS

A. Definitions
B. Fixing the Date of Presentment; Notice of Presentment
C. Selection of Dates for Hearings Required to Be Set by the Court
D. Date of Filing of a Motion
E. Notice of Motion; Use of Overnight Service & Electronic Facsimile Transmission ( FAX ); Certificate of Service
F. Date of Request to Modify Stay under 11 U.S.C. §362
G. Copies of Motion to be Delivered to Clerk
I. Disposition of Motion for Failure to Prosecute
J. Copies of Motion Exhibits to Be Served
K. Motions for Discovery and Production; Statement of Efforts to Reach an Accord
L. Minute Order Forms and Orders to be Presented with Motions
M. Motions for Summary Judgment; Moving Party
N. Motions for Summary Judgment; Opposing Party
O. Briefing Schedule; Copies and Service of Memoranda; Oral Argument
P. Disposition of Motion Following Failure to File Supporting or Answering Memorandum
Q. Request for Decision; Request for Status Report
R. Clerk's Processing of Motions and Applications
S. Service of Copies of Orders

RULE 403. ROUTINE AND UNCONTESTED MOTIONS

A. Routine Motion or Application Defined
B. Identifying Routine Motions or Applications; Proposed Order; Ruling Without Hearing
C. Order of Calling Routine Motions or Applications; Request for Hearing
D. Uncontested Motion
E. Identifying Uncontested Motions; Proposed Order
F. Judge May Rule on Uncontested Motion Without Hearing
G. Procedure Where Judge Declines to Grant Routine Motion or Application or Uncontested Motion
H. Requirements of Notice Not Affected
I. Individual Judge May Adopt Other Practices

RULE 404. CONTINUANCES

RULE 405. FACSIMILE SIGNATURES

RULE 406. DISCOVERY MATERIALS

A. Definition of Discovery Materials
B. Discovery Materials Not to Be Filed Except By Order
C. Use of Depositions in Open Court
D. Clerk to Open Depositions
E. Discovery by Agreement

RULE 407. STRIKING OR DISMISSING FOR WANT OF PROSECUTION

RULE 408. SURETIES ON BONDS

A. Security For Bonds
B. Affidavit of Justification
C. Restriction on Sureties
D. Bond Must Be Approved by Judge or Clerk

RULE 409. APPROVAL OF BONDS BY THE CLERK

RULE 410. SUPERSEDEAS

A. Supersedeas where Judgment for a Sum Certain
B. Condition of Bond; Satisfaction

RULE 411. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS DEPOSITED IN THE REGISTRY ACCOUNT OF THE COURT

A. Clerk to Maintain Registry Account
B. Orders Requiring the Investment of Funds by the Clerk
C. Service of Orders Relating to the Investment of Funds
D. Time Period for Depositing Funds

RULE 412. Transfers and Remands of Cases

A. Transfers
B. Remands
C. Motions for Reconsideration of Transfer and Remand Orders; Extension of Time to File

RULE 413. SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT AND DECREES

RULE 414. CUSTODY OF EXHIBITS; WITHDRAWAL OF FILED DOCUMENTS

A. Retention of Exhibits
B. Exhibits Subject to Orders of Court
C. Removal of Exhibits
D. Records in Custody of Clerk
E. Receipt for Withdrawal of Exhibits

RULE 415. DEPOSITIONS AND OTHER SUBPOENAS TO COURT PERSONNEL AS WITNESSES

RULE 416. CLERK NOT TO ENTER DEFAULT JUDGMENTS

RULE 417. TAXATION OF COSTS

A. Time for Filing Bill of Costs
B. Costs of Stenographic Transcripts
C. Bond Premiums

RULE 418. PUBLICATION OF DAILY CALL

RULE 419. SECURITY FOR COSTS

RULE 420. REMOVAL OF CASES FROM STATE COURTS

A. Removal Notice to Be Filed With Clerk of This Court
B. Copy of Record to Be Filed With Clerk in 20 Days

RULE 421. COUNSEL FEES ON TAKING DEPOSITIONS AT DISTANT PLACES

RULE 422. REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO NOTICE LIST

A. Notice, Motion, and Draft Order
B. Content of Motion

RULE 423. PRETRIAL PROCEDURE

A. Application of Automatic Provisions of Fed.R.Bankr.P. 7026
B. Disclosure of Insurance Agreements

RULE 424. PROOF OF SERVICE OF PAPERS

RULE 425. PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

RULE 426. JURY TRIALS BEFORE BANKRUPTCY JUDGES

  • A. Effective Date
  • B. Designation of Bankruptcy Judges to Conduct Jury Trials
  • C. Consent
  • D. Applicability of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
  • E. Applicability of General Rules Regarding Jury Procedures
  • RULE 427. RESERVED

    RULE 428. PRETRIAL ORDERS

    RULE 429. RESERVED

    RULE 430. RESERVED

    RULE 431. RESERVED

    RULE 432. TRANSMITTAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT OF PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW IN NON-CORE PROCEEDINGS

    RULE 433. AGREED ORDERS TO EXTEND TIME UNDER §§522, 523, or 727

    RULE 500. TRUSTEEíS DEPOSIT OF FUNDS IN INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNTS

  • A. Trustee to Maintain Separate Interest-bearing Accounts for Estates over $5,000
  • B. Rule Not to Limit Authority of Judge
  • RULE 501. DEFERRAL OF FILING FEES DUE FROM TRUSTEE

    RULE 502. NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISMISSAL OF PROCEEDINGS TO DENY OR REVOKE DISCHARGES

    RULE 503. AUTHORIZATION TO DISBURSE SMALL EXPENSES WITHOUT PRIOR ORDER

    RULE 600. APPEARANCE OF ATTORNEYS

  • A. Admission to District Court Required
  • B. Circumstances Under Which Trial Bar Membership Required
  • C. Exemption for Certain Officers Appearing in Their Official Capacity
  • RULE 601. REPRESENTATION BY SUPERVISED SENIOR LAW STUDENTS

    RULE 602. APPEARANCE BY ATTORNEYS NOT MEMBERS OF THE BAR (Pro Hac Vice)

    RULE 603. DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COUNSEL FOR SERVICE

  • A. Designation of Local Counsel
  • B. Penalties for Failing to Designate Local Counsel
  • C. Duties of Local Counsel
  • RULE 604. APPEARANCES

    A. Appearance Forms; Appearances by Firms Prohibited
    B. Appearance of Attorney for Debtor; Adversary Proceedings
    C. Appearance by United States Attorney or United States Trustee

    RULE 605. WITHDRAWAL, ADDITION, AND SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL

    RULE 606. COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL

    RULE 607. APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

    A. Applications
    B. Narrative Summary
    C. Detailed Statement of Services
    D. Privileged Information and Work Product
    E. Failure to Comply
    F. Other Applications, Modifications, or Waivers

    RULE 608. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

    RULE 700. SURPLUS ESTATES

    RULE 701. MOTIONS OF PARTIES TO DISMISS CHAPTER 7 PROCEEDINGS

    A. Procedure Generally
    B. Date of Presentment
    C. Notice of Motion to Dismiss to be Sent by Clerk

    RULE 900. ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGE IN CHAPTER 9 PROCEEDINGS

    RULE 1100. DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

    RULE 1101. COUNTING CONFIRMATION BALLOTS IN CHAPTER 11 CASES

    RULE 1102. NOTICE TO CLOSE CASE OR ENTER FINAL DECREE

    RULE 1103. CLAIMS DOCKETS

    RULE 1300. CONVERSION FROM CHAPTER 13 TO CHAPTER 7

    RULE 1301. COPIES OF ORDERS

    RULE 1302. CLAIMS AND CLAIMS REGISTERS

  • A. Proofs of Claim to be Filed with Clerk
  • B. Standing Trustee to Maintain Claims Register
  • C. Transfer of Claims: Recording, Notice of
  • D. Trustee to Answer Inquiries re Claims Register
  • E. Clerk to Establish Procedures; Report Deficiencies to Chief Judge
  • F. Standing Trustee and Employees Not Employees of Court
  • RULE 1303. NOTICES SENT BY CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEES

    A. Standing Trustee to File Certificate of Service With Clerk
    B. Payment of Costs to Standing Trustee of Mailing Notices

    RULE 1304. NOTICE OF MOTION TO CONVERT ONE JOINT DEBTOR TO CHAPTER 7

    RULE 1400. FILING OF MOTIONS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF REFERENCE