All local rules for N.D. Ill., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Motion Practice: If a motion has not been addressed by either a ruling or the setting of a briefing schedule within a reasonable time after filing of the motion, counsel may call Judge Kennelly's courtroom deputy clerk to inquire.
Neither a motion nor 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. Local Rule 7.1 ↗
Neither a motion nor 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. Local Rule 7.1 ↗
Neither a motion nor 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. Local Rule 7.1 ↗
(b) A judge may require a motion or an objection to a magistrate judge’s order to 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 LR 78.1. Local Rule 5.3(b) ↗
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. Local Rule 78.1 ↗
Protective Orders; Filing of Documents Under Seal Any party moving for entry of a protective order by Judge Kennelly pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c) must abide by the following guidelines. Judge Kennelly will not sign a protective order that allows counsel, in their discretion, to decide which matters are to be deemed confidential. The proposed order must specify the categories of documents or other matters which may be subject to the order (e.g., personnel files, medical information, confidential financial matters, etc.). The motion for protective order must set forth why confidentiality is necessary as to each such category. Judge Kennelly will not sign a protective order that provides that items designated by a party as confidential may, for that reason, be filed with the court under seal. Rather, any protective order that contemplates under-seal filing must provide that no documents may be filed under seal absent a motion, filed and noticed for hearing prior to the due date of the particular filing, showing good cause for sealing a portion of the record in the case. The mere fact that information has been designated as confidential by a party is insufficient to permit under-seal filing. A party seeking to file material under seal must set forth in its motion the reasons why the record should be sealed. Issuance of a protective order will not be given binding effect as a determination of good cause for Rule 26(c) purposes if, at any future time, a party moves for relief from the protective order's limitations. If such a motion is made, the court will engage in an appropriate balancing of the interests between privacy and public access to make a new determination of good cause in light of the facts then before the court. In any case in which Judge Kennelly permits filing under seal, an unredacted version of the entire filing, including all exhibits, must be filed under seal, and a redacted version that omits the sealed portions must be filed in the public record.
The court may set a briefing schedule. Oral argument may be allowed in the court’s discretion. Local Rule 78.3 ↗
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. Local Rule 72.1 ↗
Discovery Motions Judge Kennelly believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes and thus discourages the filing of discovery motions. Judge Kennelly will not hear or consider any discovery motion unless the movant has complied with the "meet and confer" requirement of Local Rule 37.2 . The motion must state with specificity when and how the movant complied with Local Rule 37.2. Parties are reminded that compliance with Local Rule 37.2 requires a good faith effort to resolve discovery disputes and communication that takes place face to face or by telephone. The exchange of correspondence ordinarily will not be sufficient to comply with Local Rule 37.2. Judge Kennelly will only rarely set briefing schedules on discovery motions. His more common practice is to address the motion at an upcoming status hearing or separately set it for a hearing, at which all parties should be fully prepared to argue the motion. If a briefing schedule is set on a discovery motion, it typically will be expedited so that the motion can be resolved promptly. Parties are reminded that there is no "sequence" in which discovery must occur, and that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. The pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not operate as a stay of discovery. Discovery is not stayed unless the court orders it to be stayed.
Silent on adjournment_extension_procedure. Source ↗
Motion Practice: Under General Order 20-0012, as amended, courtesy copies need not be submitted. If a courtesy copy is needed, such as for a very large filing, Judge Kennelly's chambers will contact counsel to request one. If a courtesy copy is requested, it should be spiral bound on the side, and any exhibits should be tabbed. Source ↗
Initial Status Conference Judge Kennelly will set all newly-filed cases for an initial case management conference pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b) approximately 60 days of the filing of the complaint. At the initial conference, the parties should be prepared to discuss the nature of the case, report on the possibility of settlement, and discuss the nature and length of discovery necessary to prepare the case for trial. A discovery cut-off date may be set at the initial conference. In some cases, the scheduled status conference may take place before a defendant has responded to the plaintiff’s complaint. Judge Kennelly expects all defendants who have been served with process to participate in this conference even if they have not yet responded to the complaint. Source ↗
Silent on motion_word_page_limits. Source ↗
Motion Practice: If a hearing is required on a motion, the court will set it, and it will be conducted by telephone or video conference. In-person hearings are limited to matters that, by law, must be conducted in person. Source ↗
Motion Practice: In-court motion hearings have been suspended by General Order 20-0012, as amended. Motions are not to be noticed for presentment in court. If a hearing is required on a motion, the court will set it, and it will be conducted by telephone or video conference. In-person hearings are limited to matters that, by law, must be conducted in person. Source ↗
Judge Kennelly disfavors motions to strike all or portions of an opposing party's Local Rule 56.1 submission. Under ordinary circumstances, if a party contends that its opponent has included inadmissible evidence, improper argument, or other objectionable material in a Rule 56.1 submission, the party's argument that the offending material should not be considered should be included in its response or reply brief, not in a separate motion to strike. Source ↗