Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Philip G. Reinhard -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Western Division, Rockford)
5100 (Rockford), Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604 (Chicago chambers: Room 2100)
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. SENIOR STATUS: ALL pretrial matters (initial status conference, discovery, scheduling) are referred to the Magistrate Judge. Contact Magistrate chambers, not this judge's chambers, for pretrial scheduling.
- 2. Dispositive motions are still decided by this District Judge (not the Magistrate) unless parties consent to Magistrate jurisdiction.
- 3. Western Division: use the Western Division FPTO form -- it is different from the Eastern Division form.
- 4. Disqualification: Judge Reinhard will recuse himself in cases where he or his wife hold stock in a party. Check the posted list before appearance.
- 5. Briefing schedules for dispositive motions are set by the Magistrate Judge, not District Judge chambers.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | SENIOR STATUS -- Motions should NOT be noticed for presentment. The court will schedule hearings as needed. All pretrial matters including discovery are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Dispositive motions are decided by this District Judge (unless parties consent to Magistrate). [Judge Reinhard -- Motion] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Reinhard -- Motion] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Not specified in standing order. |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | No published individual procedures. |
| Discovery | ALL pretrial matters including initial status conference, discovery, and scheduling are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Contact the Magistrate Judge's chambers for discovery procedures. LR 37.2 compliance required; Magistrate will not hear discovery motions without LR 37.2 compliance certification. |
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
SENIOR STATUS -- Motions should NOT be noticed for presentment. The court will schedule hearings as needed. All pretrial matters including discovery are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Dispositive motions are decided by this District Judge (unless parties consent to Magistrate). [Judge Reinhard -- Motion]
Notice Period
No notice of motion or presentment date required. Court-controlled scheduling.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Reinhard -- Motion]
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).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Not specified in standing order.
Proposed Orders
Email Word-compatible format to Proposed_Order_Reinhard@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line: (1) case number/name; (2) docket number; (3) title of order. Serve on all parties.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Dispositive motions decided by District Judge after full briefing per Magistrate-set schedule. Discovery motions decided by Magistrate, often after oral argument without additional briefing.
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact Courtroom Deputy Rhonda Jones for questions.
Discovery Referral
ALL pretrial matters including initial status conference, discovery, and scheduling are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge. Contact the Magistrate Judge's chambers for discovery procedures. LR 37.2 compliance required; Magistrate will not hear discovery motions without LR 37.2 compliance certification.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
Referred to Magistrate Judge. LR 37.2 in-person or telephonic conferral required before filing. Court encourages parties to work out disputes. Sanctions may issue for LR 37.2 noncompliance. [Judge Reinhard -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Not separately specified; follow Local Rules.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Briefing schedules set by Magistrate Judge for pretrial matters.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
Senior Status District Judge in the Western Division (Rockford). All pretrial matters referred to Magistrate. Dispositive motions decided by District Judge. Court website page returned 'No matching elements found for JudgeId = 225' at top of page -- this is a benign CMS error; content loaded correctly.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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