Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
1219
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. PRESENTMENT SUSPENDED: Do NOT notice motions for a date certain. File the motion and wait for the Court's minute order directing next steps. This is the opposite of the traditional IL-ND model.
- 2. Motion title MUST state whether motion is opposed or unopposed (except for motions to withdraw, MTD, motions to remand, and SJ motions). If opposed, indicate whether opposing counsel intends to file a response and include proposed briefing schedule.
- 3. All civil hearings by telephone conference. Dial-in information posted on docket at least one day before hearing.
- 4. SJ pre-motion conference: always inquire with Court before filing SJ motion. Court may schedule informal off-the-record telephonic conference with lead attorneys after fact discovery closes. Schedule with courtroom deputy BEFORE starting substantive work on the motion.
- 5. SJ courtesy copies ARE required (unlike most filings) -- must be tabbed and bound. This is the only category where courtesy copies are mandated.
- 6. Amended complaints must include a redline as an exhibit showing all changes (not required for pro se litigants).
- 7. Motions to extend time must specify any prior extensions granted and, if opposed, include the opposing party's specific grounds for objection.
- 8. Deposition transcripts for SJ: file full transcript on ECF; courtesy copy includes only excerpted pages in condensed format.
- 9. When non-moving party on MTD, court advises them of right to amend once within 21 days (FRCP 15(a)(1)(B)). If they elect to amend, moving party must file answer or renewed MTD within 21 days of amended pleading.
- 10. All parties must be copied on any correspondence to the courtroom deputy.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Presentment is SUSPENDED until further notice. Parties need not notice motions for a date certain. Upon filing of a contested motion, the Court will enter a minute order in due course either setting a motion hearing, setting a briefing schedule, or otherwise directing the parties. Motion schedule listed on website (Civil: Tu/Th 10:00 a.m.; Criminal: Tu/Th 10:45 a.m.; Arraignments: contact courtroom deputy) but these apply only if the Court sets a hearing. [Judge Cummings -- Civil Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Cummings -- Civil Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies NOT required in general. EXCEPTION: Required for motions for summary judgment and accompanying LR 56.1 statements and... [Judge Cummings -- Summary Judgment Practice] |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. Court rules on papers. |
| Remote Appearances | All civil hearings held by telephone conference unless otherwise specified. Dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Good faith effort and face-to-face or telephone conferral required (correspondence normally insufficient). LR 37.2 also applies to privilege disputes. Pendency of a motion does not stay discovery. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Presentment is SUSPENDED until further notice. Parties need not notice motions for a date certain. Upon filing of a contested motion, the Court will enter a minute order in due course either setting a motion hearing, setting a briefing schedule, or otherwise directing the parties. Motion schedule listed on website (Civil: Tu/Th 10:00 a.m.; Criminal: Tu/Th 10:45 a.m.; Arraignments: contact courtroom deputy) but these apply only if the Court sets a hearing. [Judge Cummings -- Civil Motion Practice]
Notice Period
Not applicable. Presentment suspended. Motion must clearly indicate in the TITLE whether it is opposed or unopposed. If opposed, movant must indicate whether opposing counsel intends to file a written response; if so, include proposed briefing schedule (or competing schedules) in the motion.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Cummings -- Civil Motion Practice]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1.
Reply Limit
Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Font & Formatting
Per LR 5.2(e). Cite Westlaw citations for unpublished opinions if available. To the extent possible, cite exhibits by ECF docket number and page rather than exhibit number.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy copies NOT required in general. EXCEPTION: Required for motions for summary judgment and accompanying LR 56.1 statements and exhibits. Those materials must be tabbed and bound (e.g., binder or spiral bound). Deposition transcript excerpts for courtesy copies should be condensed format; do not include full transcript in courtesy copy (file full transcript electronically but provide only excerpted pages). [Judge Cummings -- Summary Judgment Practice]
Proposed Orders
Proposed orders submitted to judge's email address: Proposed_Order_Cummings@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line must include case number and name, docket number of corresponding motion (if any), and title of the order. Submit in Word-compatible format. Serve on all parties. Do not file proposed orders in ECF. [Judge Cummings -- Submitting a Proposed Order, Agreed or Otherwise, for Electronic Entry by the Judge]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. Court rules on papers.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Court most often rules on civil motions after argument at motion call without further briefing (if Court sets a hearing). After argument, Court may set expedited briefing schedule if needed. Court enters minute order after filing of contested motion directing next steps.
Remote Appearances
All civil hearings held by telephone conference unless otherwise specified. Dial-in information posted on docket at least one day prior to the hearing.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
All substantive written communications must be filed on the docket. All other communication (procedural questions) directed to Courtroom Deputy Chez Chambers at (312) 435-6051 or chez_chambers@ilnd.uscourts.gov. All parties must be copied on any case-related correspondence.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes handled by this judge. LR 37.2 compliance required. Good faith effort and face-to-face or telephone conferral required (correspondence normally insufficient). LR 37.2 also applies to privilege disputes. Pendency of a motion does not stay discovery.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 required. Motion must state with specificity when and how movant complied. Good faith effort and face-to-face or telephone conferral required; correspondence normally insufficient. Privilege disputes: meet-and-confer requirements of LR 37.2 apply. Privilege log required for withheld documents with 6 required fields. Settlement conferences typically referred to assigned magistrate judge -- request by contacting courtroom deputy at chez_chambers@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. All substantive case-related communication with the Court must be on the record.
Settlement Notification
Standard practice to refer parties to assigned magistrate judge for settlement conferences. Parties requesting referral: contact courtroom deputy. If Court may be more productive, Court may elect to preside with parties' consent per standing order on judge's website.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Filing under seal requires prior order of Court per LR 26.2. Motion to File Under Seal must demonstrate good cause with specific description of each document/category and explanation of why confidentiality is necessary. Parties submitting confidentiality orders that differ from Court's Model Confidentiality Order must submit original and red-lined version to proposed order email.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Motions for extension of time must indicate whether opposed or unopposed and specify any prior extensions granted. If opposed, include statement from opposing party with specific grounds for objection.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model: filing a contested motion triggers a minute order from the Court setting the next step. No notice of motion needed, no date certain required. All civil hearings by phone. The SJ pre-motion off-the-record conference is a distinctive practice -- parties should schedule it before investing in motion preparation. Courtesy copies required only for SJ materials (tabbed and bound).
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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