Formatting & Page Limits
N.D. Ill. — ## §1.
§1. Formatting & Page Limits
Document Format
| Requirement | Details | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Font size (body) | 12 points minimum | LR 5.2(e)(1) |
| Font size (footnotes) | 11 points minimum | LR 5.2(e)(1) |
| Line spacing | Double-spaced (2.0 lines minimum) | LR 5.2(e) |
| Margins | 1 inch minimum on all sides | LR 5.2(e)(2) |
| Paper size | 8½ x 11 inches, opaque, unglazed, white | LR 5.2(e) |
| Binding (paper originals) | Staple or removable metal fastener at top; no front/back covers; no protruding tabs | LR 5.2(f) |
Electronic filings must conform to the same formatting requirements as paper documents (LR 5.2(e)).
Documents are encouraged to be text-searchable with hyperlinked tables of contents and citations (LR 5.2(h)).
Word and Page Limits
| Document Type | Limit | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Motions and briefs (all types) | 15 pages | LR 7.1 |
| Briefs exceeding 15 pages | Requires prior court approval + TOC + table of cases | LR 7.1 |
Consequence: Any brief or objection that does not comply with the 15-page limit shall be filed subject to being stricken by the court (LR 7.1).
Note: The local rules specify a page limit, not a word limit. This differs from some other districts (e.g., SDTX judges who use word limits).
Courtesy Copies
The local rules do not contain a district-wide courtesy copy requirement. Individual judges may require courtesy copies per their standing orders — check the assigned judge's procedures page on the court website (LR 5.3(a)).