All local rules for N.D. Ill., integrated with this judge's published requirements.
Important Information Filings: All electronic filings must be generated from the original word file to a PDF document so that the text is searchable. PDF images created by scanning paper documents may be used only for exhibit or reference materials not available in PDF format. Courtesy copies : Judge Rowland does not accept courtesy copies of court filings. Calendar Schedule Judge Mary M. Rowland --> Procedures to be followed in cases assigned to Judge Mary M. Rowland Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge In civil cases the parties may consent to have the assigned United States Magistrate Judge try the case. In many cases, consent to the Magistrate Judge offers significant efficiencies. The Court strongly encourages parties to consider this option. All counsel should discuss this option with their clients and opposing counsel. Magistrate Judge Consent Form Discovery Motions The Court believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes without the filing of discovery motions. Discovery motions that are filed must comply fully with Local Rule 37.2, which sets forth certain “meet and confer” and certification requirements. An exchange of correspondence -- as opposed to an in-person or telephonic conference -- ordinarily will not suffice. All parties must be fully prepared to orally argue any discovery motion on the date that it is presented. The Court will often decide discovery motions after oral argument at the motion call and without briefing. If after argument the Court believes the motion requires briefing, the Court normally will set an expedited briefing schedule. Parties are reminded to immediately notify the Court if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions. Parties are reminded that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. In addition, unless provided for under applicable law or by court order, the pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not operate to stay discovery. E-Discovery: I f the parties have reached an impasse regarding the discovery of voluminous records from a database, server, computer, service provider or similar electronic storage facility (ESF), before filing a motion to compel, the parties are required to meet and confer with an IT representative of the ESF to be searched in order to determine the most effective way to retrieve the requested material. The party seeking the discovery should also bring its IT specialist to this meeting in order to discuss the proper format for the retrieval of the records. This electronic discovery conference must take place in person and both sides should be prepared to discuss specifically the parameters of both the search and the ESF. Emergency Motions Emergency matters will be heard only in exceptional circumstances and must be of such a nature that a delay in hearing them would cause serious harm to one or more of the parties.
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 ↗
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 The Court believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes without the filing of discovery motions. Discovery motions that are filed must comply fully with Local Rule 37.2, which sets forth certain “meet and confer” and certification requirements. An exchange of correspondence -- as opposed to an in-person or telephonic conference -- ordinarily will not suffice. All parties must be fully prepared to orally argue any discovery motion on the date that it is presented. The Court will often decide discovery motions after oral argument at the motion call and without briefing. If after argument the Court believes the motion requires briefing, the Court normally will set an expedited briefing schedule. Parties are reminded to immediately notify the Court if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions. Parties are reminded that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. In addition, unless provided for under applicable law or by court order, the pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not operate to stay discovery. E-Discovery: I f the parties have reached an impasse regarding the discovery of voluminous records from a database, server, computer, service provider or similar electronic storage facility (ESF), before filing a motion to compel, the parties are required to meet and confer with an IT representative of the ESF to be searched in order to determine the most effective way to retrieve the requested material. The party seeking the discovery should also bring its IT specialist to this meeting in order to discuss the proper format for the retrieval of the records. This electronic discovery conference must take place in person and both sides should be prepared to discuss specifically the parameters of both the search and the ESF.
Courtesy copies : Judge Rowland does not accept courtesy copies of court filings. Calendar Schedule Judge Mary M. Rowland --> Procedures to be followed in cases assigned to Judge Mary M. Rowland Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge In civil cases the parties may consent to have the assigned United States Magistrate Judge try the case. In many cases, consent to the Magistrate Judge offers significant efficiencies. The Court strongly encourages parties to consider this option. All counsel should discuss this option with their clients and opposing counsel. Magistrate Judge Consent Form Discovery Motions The Court believes that parties can and should work out most discovery disputes without the filing of discovery motions. Discovery motions that are filed must comply fully with Local Rule 37.2, which sets forth certain “meet and confer” and certification requirements. An exchange of correspondence -- as opposed to an in-person or telephonic conference -- ordinarily will not suffice. All parties must be fully prepared to orally argue any discovery motion on the date that it is presented. The Court will often decide discovery motions after oral argument at the motion call and without briefing. If after argument the Court believes the motion requires briefing, the Court normally will set an expedited briefing schedule. Parties are reminded to immediately notify the Court if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions. Parties are reminded that one party’s failure or inability to respond to discovery will not excuse any other party’s prompt compliance. In addition, unless provided for under applicable law or by court order, the pendency of a motion, such as a motion to dismiss, does not operate to stay discovery. E-Discovery: I f the parties have reached an impasse regarding the discovery of voluminous records from a database, server, computer, service provider or similar electronic storage facility (ESF), before filing a motion to compel, the parties are required to meet and confer with an IT representative of the ESF to be searched in order to determine the most effective way to retrieve the requested material. The party seeking the discovery should also bring its IT specialist to this meeting in order to discuss the proper format for the retrieval of the records. This electronic discovery conference must take place in person and both sides should be prepared to discuss specifically the parameters of both the search and the ESF. Emergency Motions Emergency matters will be heard only in exceptional circumstances and must be of such a nature that a delay in hearing them would cause serious harm to one or more of the parties. Requests to set a hearing on an emergency motion shall be made with as much advance notice as possible to Judge Rowland’s Courtroom Deputy. The email should provide the case number in the subject line and contain a detailed message. Parties must “CC” counsel for all parties on the email. Source ↗
Initial Status Conference The Court will schedule an initial status hearing for newly-filed cases. In most cases, the initial status hearing will be conducted approximately 60 days after the filing of the complaint. Source ↗
Motions for summary judgment and responses must comply with Local Rule 56.1, as well as the procedures outlined here. The statements of undisputed material facts and responses shall be filed separately from the memoranda of law and shall include the line, paragraph, or page number where the supporting material may be found in the record. Parties must make the supporting evidence easy to find. Courtesy copies of exhibits to summary judgment motions and responses should be tabbed for easy access. The Local Rules are not mere technicalities. The Court expects strict compliance with the Local Rules regarding summary judgment. Failure to comply with the Local Rules may result in the Court striking briefs, disregarding statements of fact, deeming statements of fact admitted, and denying summary judgment. See Modrowski v. Pigatto, 712 F.3d 1166, 1169 (7th Cir. 2013); Keeton v. Morningstar, Inc., 667 F.3d 877, 884 (7th Cir. 2012). The movant shall not file more than 80 statements of undisputed material facts without prior leave of Court. The respondent shall be limited to 40 statements of undisputed material facts absent prior leave of Court. In complex cases, the Court may request that the parties submit a timeline of events in addition to statements of undisputed material facts. Motions to strike are disfavored. If a party contends that another party has included inadmissible evidence, improper argument, or other objectionable material in a Local Rule 56.1 submission, the party typically should raise its argument that the Court should not consider such material in the party's response or reply brief – not in a separate motion to strike. Source ↗