Judge Debra Ann Seaton
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Management Conference Packet
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • 10 Court Business Days in Advance
- Email • Prior to Each New Court Date
- Not on Fridays
- When in Person Hearing Set
Emergency Motion
- Email • Upon Filing
Motion for Entry of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale
Communication
Other Contacts11 contacts
Clerk2 contacts
Chambers1 contacts
Page & Word Limits2 rules
(9) Case Management Orders shall be a maximum of 2 pages in length and shall only contain the caption of the case and the plaintiff's law firm information.
- Case management order
- Up to 2 pages
(g) Unless otherwise specified, motions and briefs are limited to 15 pages, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on all sides, and paginated in the bottom margin, exclusive of exhibits.
- Page limit
- Up to 15 pages
- Format
- Double-spaced; 1-inch margins
- Motion
- Brief
Excluded from page count
- •Exhibits
Document Format Requirements9 rules
1-2 page case management orders shall be used.
Formatting
- •1-2 pages
All courtesy copy submissions shall be fewer than 30 megabytes inclusive of all attachments to ensure delivery to the Court's email address.
(1) A SINGLE, tabbed PDF document containing the notice of motion, Zoom instructions, all motion(s) being presented, exhibit(s) thereto, prior relevant orders, etc.; and (2) A SEPARATE SINGLE PDF document containing ALL proposed orders.
- File type
Email attachments for courtesy copies must be PDF files with clear titles; Word or other formats are prohibited.
- File type
Formatting
- •Each attachment must have clear and conspicuous titles
Court's wording
(5) Attachments to the email should be in PDF form ONLY and should each have clear and conspicuous titles explaining what is contained within that PDF. DO NOT send courtesy copies as "Word" documents or in any other format other than PDF.
Motions and briefs must use a serif font (Century, Times New Roman, Equity) in 12-point type, with block quotes indented and footnotes in 10-point.
Court's wording
(h) All motions and briefs shall be typeset in a Century family (e.g., Century Expanded, New Century Schoolbook, or Century Schoolbook), Times New Roman, Equity, or other similar font with serifs in 12-point type. Quotations in excess of 50 words shall be indented an additional 1/2 inch on the left and right margins. The typeface of footnotes shall be 10-point type.
All affidavits “prepared in support of entry of a judgment of foreclosure, by default or otherwise, shall not have a stand-alone signature page if formatting allows the signature to begin on the last page of the affiant's statements.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 113(c)(4).
Prove up affidavits and loss mitigation affidavits must have the affiant's signature and notary/verification on the same page.
Formatting
- •Affiant's signature and notary or verification must be on the same page
Court's wording
Prove up affidavits brought pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 113 and 191 and loss mitigation affidavits brought pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 114 shall have the affiant's signature and notary or verification pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109 on the same page.
The bond **shall** have a raised seal, the receiver's signature, and a signature block for Judge Seaton to sign.
Formatting
- •Raised seal
- •Receiver's signature
- •Signature block for Judge Seaton
(1) Headings, footnotes, and block quotations in excess of 50 words may be single-spaced.
Document Filing Requirements99 rules
All pleadings shall contain the entire case caption, calendar number, and property address.
- Document
- Pleading
Must include
- •Caption
All service notices shall include each attorney or pro se litigant's address, telephone number, and email address.
When a proposed order withdraws, continues, or strikes a motion, both the order and the email must include the original motion date and time.
Court's wording
In the event Plaintiff chooses not to proceed on a motion noticed before the Court and Plaintiff or Plaintiff's counsel submits to the Court in lieu of courtesy copies an order withdrawing the motion, entering and continuing the motion generally, or striking the motion from the call, such a proposed order and the email submitting said proposed order to the Court for entry either on or off call shall contain **both the date and time** for which the motion was originally scheduled.
A form version of this order is available on the Court's webpage and shall be submitted with the proposed orders for each case management conference held.
All proposed orders shall include the Court's contact and Zoom information.
All proposed case management orders shall have an "other" line so that the Court may fill in additional items ordered into the form order following the hearing.
DO NOT "pre-check" any boxes in proposed orders as the Court's ruling may differ from the "pre-checked" box.
A proposed pre-trial timeline order must be submitted with case management conference materials; failure to tender it with courtesy copies may result in striking the conference.
Court's wording
The form pre-trial timeline order to be entered concurrently with the entry of an order striking a case from case management (4331) for cases instituted on or after July 1, 2022, is available on the Court's webpage and shall be submitted with the proposed orders for each case management conference held along with the standard 1-2 page proposed case management order. Failure to tender a copy of a proposed pre-trial timeline order with case management conference courtesy copies shall subject the case management conference to be stricken off the call, requiring the plaintiff to re-notice the case management conference.
Dates certain, *e.g.*, "March 23, 2026" are required for redemption dates where applicable.
Courtesy copies must be legible; failure may result in striking, no action, denial, or continuation. This includes pro se handwritten motions.
Court's wording
All courtesy copy submissions presented to the court that were filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court "shall be legibly written, typewritten, printed, or otherwise prepared." Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 10(b); Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 131(a). Failure to submit legible courtesy copies may result in the Court striking the courtesy copies, not taking action on the scheduled matter, denial of the motion(s), or continuation of the matter to a new date subject to the Court's availability. This includes handwritten motions presented by *pro se* litigants.
All documents a movant wishes the Court to consider in adjudicating any matter before it **shall bear a stamp** demonstrating that the original document was filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and all pleadings, motions, and other documents shall be signed pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137.
Case numbers in email must be formatted as '26-CH-00000' with specific placeholder and punctuation rules.
Court's wording
(2) Please format case numbers exactly as 26-CH-00000, so that emails can easily be searched and located in the Court's inbox. Case numbers should include a "0" placeholder for a digit without a numerical value, the "20" in the year should be omitted, and the "CH" should be set apart by hyphens.
The email body must include the case number, court date, and brief description of the motion.
Court's wording
(3) The body of the email shall include the case number, court date, and a brief description of the motion being presented (e.g., Attached are courtesy copies for the March 23, 2026, hearing in 26-CH-00000 (PNC v. Martin) up on Case Management/Judgment Motions/Order Approving Sale/Status on ______/Plaintiff's or Defendant's Motion to ______/etc.).
The email subject line must contain only the case number, case name, and court date (or 'off call' for routine motions).
Court's wording
(1) The subject line of the email shall include only the case number, the case name, and the court date (e.g., 26-CH-00000 PNC v. Martin 3/23/2026). For routine motions, please indicate "off call" instead of the court date.
Proposed orders must be submitted as a separate, clearly titled PDF attachment, with all proposed orders in one PDF.
Court's wording
attached. (7) Proposed orders shall be attached as a separate PDF attachment in the same courtesy copy email clearly titled "Proposed Order(s)." Multiple proposed orders should all be submitted together in ONE PDF
(1) All summonses shall include the Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program informational sheet in English and Spanish;
(2) All notices of motion and notices of initial case management shall include a copy of all four pages of the required Zoom instructions in English and Spanish.
(i) The Notice of Motion or continuance order should ALWAYS be the first page of this PDF packet and should never be separately attached.
(8) Proposed orders shall contain the Court's email address, phone number, and Zoom information.
Case Management Orders must contain only the caption and plaintiff's law firm info; pre-checked proposed orders are not accepted.
Court's wording
(9) Case Management Orders shall be a maximum of 2 pages in length and shall only contain the caption of the case and the plaintiff's law firm information. Pre-checked proposed orders will not be accepted or signed.
A motion for leave to amend or to file a third-party claim shall specify what is being amended and attach a proposed filing.
Routine motions may be submitted for entry outside the Court's regular calls. The following motions are considered routine and may be submitted with a proposed order for entry off call: (1) Motion to appoint a special process server; (2) Motion to voluntarily dismiss a case in its entirety; (3) Receiver's bond; and (4) Agreed orders may be presented in court or off call if accompanied by a stipulation and signed by all parties' or their attorneys.
- Document
- Routine motion
Include
- •Proposed order
Each separate special process server order must be filed in the case record when multiple orders were used for service.
Court's wording
If service of process on multiple defendants was effectuated pursuant to separate orders entered by the Supervising Judge across multiple three month periods for which the same or different special process servers for the law firm were appointed, each such order signed by the Supervising Judge shall be filed in the record of the case so the Court may determine if the special process server had authority to serve each specific defendant with process on the date service was sworn to have been accomplished.
Orders entered by the Supervising Judge pursuant to General Administrative Order No. 2007-03 and prior to the enactment of Public Act 103-0671 amending Section 2-202 appointing a designated special process server for a particular law firm during the three month period of time that service of process was effectuated on any defendant shall be filed into the record of each case where service by such means was accomplished.
Motions to voluntarily dismiss a case in its entirety due to a full pay off shall be accompanied with an order dismissing the case WITH prejudice.
A motion to reinstate after a bankruptcy-related dismissal must attach proof of leave from the automatic stay or other evidence of bankruptcy resolution.
Court's wording
A motion to reinstate a case following a dismissal due to a defendant filing for bankruptcy shall attach proof (such as a copy of an order from the bankruptcy court) that the moving party has leave from the bankruptcy automatic stay, the bankruptcy has been dismissed, the bankruptcy has been discharged, or other similar evidence of the same.
A motion to issue an alias summons shall state when the summons will issue and identify the person on whom it is being issued.
Motions to voluntarily dismiss a case in its entirety shall include the basis for the dismissal in both the motion and the proposed order. Additionally, the proposed dismissal order shall state whether the dismissal is with or without prejudice.
Accordingly, motions seeking to compel discovery shall “include a statement that after personal consultation the parties were unable to resolve their differences.”
All motions to compel discovery shall demonstrate that the case is not on hold, including, but not limited to, loss mitigation, bankruptcy, or other plaintiff internal or regulatory hold.
(i) Citations shall be to official reporters only and shall comply with the most recent edition of “The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.”
(2) Citations to sources within the body a motion or brief shall be in the body of the text and shall not be as an endnote.
Citations must be to Lexis Nexis; if a source is not available there, a copy must be attached to the motion or brief.
Court's wording
(3) Citations shall only be to Lexis Nexis. The Court does not have access to Westlaw or many secondary sources such as treatises. If a party wishes to cite authority that is not found on Lexis, that party shall attach a copy of that authority to their motion or brief.
Notices of motion must include the hearing date and time, and must not contain blank lines or reference the clerk's stamp; noncompliance leads to striking the motion.
Court's wording
(k) All notices of motion for any motion noticed up on the Court’s call shall contain the date and time of the scheduled hearing in the body of the notice of motion itself. Blank lines in the body of the notice of motion, “see above” or other language referencing the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s stamp in the upper left-hand corner of the page, or any deviation from the format required herein is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the Court treating the motion as not properly noticed. The Court will strike the motion off the call requiring the motion to be re-noticed.
A party seeking discovery before responding to a dispositive motion must file an affidavit in strict compliance with Rule 191(b) on the presentment date, or risk waiving discovery.
Court's wording
A party seeking discovery prior to responding to a dispositive motion brought pursuant to Illinois Code of Civil Procedure sections 2-1005, 2-619, or 2-301(b) shall provide on the presentment date of the dispositive motion a filed affidavit in strict compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 191(b). Failure to comply with this requirement may waive all discovery by that party prior to being given an opportunity to file a response brief to the dispositive motion.
During a summary judgment briefing schedule, defendants must incorporate affidavit challenges into their response brief rather than filing a separate motion to strike.
Court's wording
If the Court enters a briefing schedule on a plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, defendants shall not file or notice up a separate motion to strike a prove up affidavit or any other affidavit brought in support of the motion for summary judgment during the briefing schedule on the motion for summary judgment. All arguments toward the weight of the affidavit, its admissibility, its compliance with the relevant Illinois Supreme Court Rules, etc. shall be incorporated into the defendant's response brief to the motion for summary judgment and shall be filed during the response period granted to the defendant in the Court's briefing schedule order. Defendants may move or request that an affidavit be stricken within their response brief. If a defendant files a separate motion to strike an affidavit instead of incorporating the arguments in a response brief to the motion for summary judgment in violation of this prohibition, the Court will facially strike the motion to strike, not reset the briefing schedule on the motion for summary judgment, and, if the defendant has not filed a response to the motion for summary judgment, will treat the motion for summary judgment as being unopposed as no response in opposition to the motion for summary judgment was filed during the time that the Court permitted such a response be filed.
If the mortgagor is deceased, the plaintiff must have a special representative appointed per statute and court rules.
Court's wording
If the mortgagor(s) is/are deceased, then the plaintiff shall have a special representative appointed in accordance with 735 ILCS 5/15-1501, Illinois Supreme Court Rule 113(i), and General Administrative Order No. 2015-02.
Plaintiffs seeking a default judgment of foreclosure or order approving sale where service was over two years ago must represent that the service address is current and the mortgagor is not deceased.
Court's wording
Any plaintiff that is seeking a default judgment of foreclosure or an order approving sale, where service was had on the mortgagor(s) over two years ago, and the mortgagor(s) has/have not filed an appearance shall represent in the body of the motion itself, in an affidavit attached to the motion as an exhibit, or in a statement as an officer of the court in open court that the address whereupon service was effectuated is still the mortgagor(s) current address and the mortgagor(s) is not deceased.
The complaint, with all exhibits including Mortgage(s) and Note(s);
Motions to reform a legal description must comply with General Administrative Order No. 2016-03 and clearly identify the original and correct legal descriptions, the reason for the difference, and evidentiary support.
Court's wording
Any motion seeking to reform the legal description of a property in a Deed, Mortgage, or any Assignment thereof shall comply with the General Administrative Order No. 2016-03 and clearly identify: (i) The original legal description; (ii) The correct legal description, specifically identifying the change(s) made; (iii) The reason the legal description is different or was incorrect, as appropriate; and (iv) Evidentiary support for the change.
Assignments and merger/successor documents, if any;
Loss Mitigation Affidavit pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 114 (if applicable) dated no earlier than 6 months prior to the presentment date;
Certificate of Service of Process, with proof of service on all defendants;
Include
- •Certificate of service
If a defendant is served by publication: a certificate of publication, skip trace, and affidavit of publication for that defendant pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-206 and 735 ILCS 5/15-1502(c).
Movants shall submit a separate affidavit to prove up attorneys' fees and costs and this amount shall not be integrated into the Movant's Illinois Supreme Court Rule 113 affidavit;
Affidavits pursuant Illinois Supreme Court Rule 113 and/or 191 attaching all appropriate documents required by law dated no earlier than 6 months prior to the presentment date;
All pertinent facts and supporting evidence shall be incorporated within this affidavit itself and shall not be attached as an exhibit to the affidavit.
This affidavit shall not include proof of attorneys' fees and cost as a separate Affidavit of Attorney Fees and Costs, if sought, shall be submitted pursuant to § VX(a)(12) infra;
All Judgment Motions (default, dismiss unknown parties, entry of judgment of foreclosure and sale, appoint selling officer, shorten redemption, reform deed or mortgage, etc.);
Order striking the case from case management;
Military Affidavit(s) (as required by the Service-Member's Civil Relief Act) dated no earlier than 6 months prior to the presentment date for each living human defendant;
Plaintiffs seeking property preservation fees must provide a breakdown, invoices, and proof of payment; failure results in striking or continuing the motion.
Court's wording
A plaintiff seeking property preservation fees shall provide a breakdown of the fees, invoices relating thereto, and proof of payment thereof. Failure to provide a breakdown of the property preservation fees will result in striking of the motion or continuing the motion to allow time for the plaintiff to comply;
If a defendant is served by a special process server, the motion packet must include a copy of the order permitting such service.
Court's wording
If a defendant is served by a special process server: a copy of the order permitting service by such means whether entered by this Court in a particular matter or whether entered by the Supervising Judge for a law firm generally for a three month period pursuant to General Administrative Order No. 2007-03.
Notice of Motion with Zoom Instructions attached;
Indorsements and allonges, if any;
Affidavit of Attorney Fees and Costs, if sought, including a detailed billing of attorneys' fees in excess of $4,100;
Plaintiff must notice up all judgment motions simultaneously.
Court's wording
Plaintiff shall notice up **ALL** judgment motions (*inter alia*, motions to dismiss unknown parties or other defendants, default, summary judgment, judgment of foreclosure, appoint selling officer, reformation of mortgage or deed) **simultaneously**.
All requests for a sealed-bid auction shall be presented by separate motion.
Motions for entry of judgment of foreclosure and sale in default cases must be noticed for the Court's 10:30 AM default call.
Court's wording
Motions for Entry of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale in which no appearance or answer was filed or in which the only appearance or answer filed was by the United States of America, a special representative, or any other defendant(s) not contesting the entry of judgment shall be noticed for the Court's 10:30 AM default call.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The signed bond should not be filed in Room 802; the Clerk of the Circuit Court will file and enter the bond and place a copy in the court file.
The bond will be signed by Judge Seaton and should not be filed in Room 802. After the bond is entered, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will file and enter the bond and place a copy in the court file.
Page 34 | XXI. RECEIVERS AND MORTGAGEES IN POSSESSION
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Defendants properly served must file an Appearance and Answer or otherwise plead within 35 days of the order, or risk default judgment.
Defendant(s) who were properly served at the time of this order pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-203, are granted leave to file an Appearance and Answer, or otherwise plead, on or before 35 days from the date of this order. Failure to file an appearance and answer in this case may result in a default order and judgment being entered.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Appearance and Answer Deadline
Proposed orders following a hearing must be submitted within 24 hours; if not received within 72 hours, the Court may enter its own order, strike the motion, or dismiss the case.
Proposed orders to be submitted by the litigants to the Court following a hearing are due to the Court no later than 24 hours after the hearing. If proposed orders are not received by the Court 72 hours after the hearing, the Court may enter its own order without input from the parties, strike the motion, and/or may subject the case to dismissal for want of prosecution.
Page 7 | VII. ORDERS
Memorandum of judgment may be submitted within 14 days after confirmation if stamped copy provided; beyond 14 days requires notice of hearing.
A memorandum of judgment may be submitted to be signed off call within 14 days after the confirmation of sale, provided the plaintiff submits a stamped copy of the order approving sale. Memoranda of judgment submitted beyond 14 days will not be signed off call and will need to be noticed up for a hearing.
Page 25 | XVII. MOTIONS TO APPROVE JUDICIAL SALE
Emergency motions must be submitted before 3:30 PM to the chambers email with supporting documents.
Emergency motions will be heard only if the movant: (1) Submits before 3:30 PM to ccc.mfmlcalendar60@cookcountyil.gov copies of their filed emergency motion with supporting documents;
Page 27 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Emergency motions are allowed only for sudden, unexpected circumstances causing irreparable harm; they must comply with Circuit Court Rule 2.2 and GAO 2018-05; motions with less than 24-hour notice to opposing counsel are denied unless the movant provides a highly compelling justification.
An emergency motion may be brought only if there exists a sudden and unexpected circumstance that could result in irreparable harm, damage, or injury which requires an urgent response before the same motion could be heard on the regular call. Emergency motions shall be brought in conformance with Circuit Court Rule 2.2 and General Administrative Order No. 2018-05. Emergency motions brought with less than 24-hour notice to opposing counsel will be denied outright absent a highly compelling justification.
Page 27 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
On the business day before a court holiday, emergency motion requests must be submitted by noon; after noon they are handled the next business day after the holiday.
Without exception, requests for an emergency motion hearing of any sort submitted to the Court for review on the business date immediately preceding a Court holiday are due to the Court before noon. Emergency motions received by the Court after the noon cut off on the business day immediately preceding a Court holiday will be handled the next business day (i.e., the business day after the Court holiday). If a Court holiday is on a Monday, the business day immediately preceding the Court holiday is the previous Friday.
Page 28 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Emergency motions received on a court holiday or weekend are handled the next business day without exception.
Without exception, emergency motions received by the Court on a Court holiday or weekend will be handled on the next business day.
Page 28 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
The Court does not hear emergency motions on Tuesdays; requests to stay a Tuesday judicial sale must be submitted by 3:30 PM the preceding Friday or they will not be heard on an emergency basis.
Without exception, the Court WILL NOT hear emergency motions on Tuesdays. As such, requests for an emergency motion hearing to stay a judicial sale which is set for a Tuesday SHALL be submitted no later than 3:30 PM the preceding Friday in order to potentially set the hearing on the intervening Monday. If the request is not properly submitted prior to 3:30 PM on the preceding Friday, the motion WILL NOT be heard on an emergency basis.
Page 28 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Emergency motions received after 3:30 PM will be handled the next business day without exception.
Without exception, emergency motions received by the Court after the 3:30 PM cut off will be handled the next business day.
Page 28 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Case dismissed with leave to reinstate upon motion supported by Bankruptcy Court documentation filed within 90 days of resolution of the bankruptcy.
Dismissed with leave to reinstate, without costs, upon motion supported by Bankruptcy Court documentation filed within 90 days of resolution of Defendant(s)' pending bankruptcy.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Disposition Options
Case dismissed with leave to reinstate upon motion supported by affidavit, filed and presented within one year of dismissal, if defendants default on a settlement agreement.
Dismissed, pursuant to Section 2-1009, with leave to reinstate upon Motion supported by Affidavit, filed and presented within one (1) year of this dismissal, if Defendant(s) default on the loan modification, repayment plan, or other settlement agreement.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Disposition Options
Dispositive motions may be filed at any time after the order striking case management, but all dispositive motions from all parties must be filed no later than 20 months after that order.
The parties may file dispositive motions at any point after the entry of the order striking the case from case management (4331); however, ALL dispositive motions from ALL parties shall be filed no later than 20 months after the entry of the order striking the case from case management (4331).
Page 14 | X. CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCOVERY
The motion and notice of motion must be filed with the clerk's office only after obtaining a presentment date from the law clerk.
After obtaining a date from the law clerk, the motion and notice of motion shall be filed with the clerk’s office.
Page 32 | XXI. RECEIVERS AND MORTGAGEES IN POSSESSION
The proposed bond should be delivered to the Court's email address within 3 court business days of the hearing.
The proposed bond should be delivered to the Court's email address within 3 court business days of the hearing.
Page 34 | XXI. RECEIVERS AND MORTGAGEES IN POSSESSION
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Plaintiff must serve notice of the order on all defendants by U.S. Mail and other reasonable methods within 3 days and maintain evidence of service.
Within three (3) days of entry of this order, Plaintiff must send notice of this order by U.S. Mail and any other method reasonably calculated to reach defendants to all defendants at: 1) the subject property address; 2) the address where any defendant was served with process; and 3) any other address where plaintiff reasonably believes defendant may receive notice. Plaintiff must maintain evidence of such mailing and other forms of notification for review by the Court upon request.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Notice Requirements
A self-represented litigant with an email address must designate a single email address for service and include it on all court documents and correspondence.
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(b), a self-represented litigant who has an email address shall designate a single email address to which service may be directed and include that email address on all court documents and correspondences.
Page 3 | I. GENERALLY
Notices of motion must be served on all parties at least 5 business days before the hearing; late service results in striking the motion.
(l) Pursuant to local rule 2.1(c)(1), all notices of motion shall be served upon all parties of record no fewer than 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Notices of motions served fewer than 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing will result in the Court treating the motion as not properly noticed. The Court will strike the motion off the call requiring the motion to be re-noticed.
Page 18 | Motions
If the service address has changed, the plaintiff must serve the notice of motion at the mortgagor's current address before entry of an order.
If the address whereupon service was effectuated has changed, the plaintiff shall serve the notice of motion at the mortgagor(s) current address before entry of an order on the subject motion.
Page 20 | XIV. COMPLIANCE WITH GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 2021-09
All required documents must be filed with the Clerk and provided to all parties before presenting the motion to approve the judicial sale.
Copies of all documents listed above, including the BPO or appraisal, shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court and provided to **all** parties prior to presentation of the motion to approve the judicial sale.
Page 25 | XVII. MOTIONS TO APPROVE JUDICIAL SALE
30 days' notice of hearing must be provided to all parties before entry of consent judgment; insufficient notice results in continuance.
Orders of consent judgment of foreclosure will not be entered unless 30 days’ notice of the hearing date has been provided to ALL parties, including all unknown parties, in order to give time to object to the order’s entry. Such motions noticed for a hearing date prior to 30 days from the date of service of the motion for entry of a consent judgment of foreclosure upon all parties will be continued to provide for such notice.
Page 26 | XVIII. MOTIONS FOR ENTRY OF A CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE
The movant must serve the signed scheduling order and provide notice to all parties of record before 5:00 PM on the filing day via fax, email, or hand-delivery.
Serve a copy of the entered scheduling order and provide notice to all parties of record as required by law before 5:00 PM on the day the motion is filed via fax, email, or hand-delivery;
Page 27 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Proper notice must be sent to all parties of record for transfer requests.
Proper notice shall be sent to all parties of record and courtesy copies shall be provided to the Court by the movant.
Page 37 | XXIV
Plaintiff's counsel must email all relevant pleadings and orders to CVLS within 7 business days.
Plaintiff’s counsel shall email all relevant pleadings and orders to CVLS within 7 business days.
Page 31
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies must be submitted in a single email containing only two attachments.
Courtesy copies shall be submitted to the Court in a SINGLE email for the case, in a neatly and intuitively organized fashion, containing ONLY TWO attachments:
Page 8 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
The moving party must supply courtesy copies 10 court business days before each court date, along with the briefing schedule order and other relevant orders; failure may result in denial of the motion.
Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the **moving party** is to supply the Court with all courtesy copies 10 court business days prior to each court date, as well as the briefing schedule order and any other relevant order(s) necessary for the Court to have a full understanding of a case's procedural history. Failure of the moving party to tender courtesy copies pursuant to the requirements set forth in this Standing Order is grounds for denial of the motion.
Page 8 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
Noncompliant courtesy copies will not be considered; the Court may deny the motion or continue the matter.
(g) Noncompliant courtesy copy submissions will NOT be considered by the Court. The Court will NOT take action on the scheduled matter, may deny the motion(s), or may continue the matter to a new date subject to the Court's availability.
Page 9 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
All courtesy copies are due by 4:30 PM on the 10th court business day before the scheduled court date; court holidays are not counted.
(k) All courtesy copies, regardless of the type of motion being heard are due by 4:30 PM 10 COURT BUSINESS DAYS in advance of the scheduled court date. (1) Scheduled court holidays do NOT count as court business days.
Page 9 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
When an in-person hearing is ordered, the movant must provide both physical copies to Courtroom 2803 and electronic copies to the designated email.
(n) In the event an in person hearing is set by order of Court, the movant shall tender BOTH physical courtesy copies to Courtroom 2803 and electronic courtesy copies to the email listed above.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
Physical courtesy copies are prohibited unless the Court orders them or an in-person hearing is scheduled.
(m) No paper or physical courtesy copies will be accepted unless ordered by the Court or an in person hearing is set.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
All electronic courtesy copies must be emailed to the designated court email address.
(l) All electronic courtesy copies, regardless of volume, shall be emailed to ccc.mfmlcalendar60@cookcountyil.gov ONLY.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
Courtesy copy emails must not be sent directly to chambers staff unless requested.
(1) Do NOT email courtesy copy submission directly to the Court's law clerk or administrative assistant unless explicitly requested to do so.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
Piggy-backing a motion on another presentment date requires leave from the law clerk, courtesy copies, and proper notice to all parties.
A party may present a motion on a date and at a time previously scheduled for presentment of another motion or at a hearing ("piggy-backing") only after obtaining leave from the law clerk, providing courtesy copies, and giving proper notice of the motion to all parties entitled to notice.
Page 16 | XII. MOTIONS
Courtesy copy packets for judicial sale motions must include notice of motion, report of sale, motion for order, etc.
The Court requires that courtesy copy packets include the following: (1) Notice of Motion with Zoom Instructions attached; (2) Report of Sale and Distribution; (3) A Motion for Order Approving Sale; (4) Motion for Immediate Possession, if sought; (5) Certificates of Publication; (6) Receipt of Sale; (7) Certificate(s) of Sale; (8) Notice of Sale, including proof of mailing the Notice of Sale, and proof of emailing the notice of sale for all parties of record with an email address pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 113 and Rule 11(c); and (9) Proposed Order approving report of sale and granting possession.
Page 24 | XVII
BPO/appraisal must be provided to all parties and included in courtesy copies for deficiency claims.
The Court will not grant an *in personam* deficiency if a BPO or appraisal in compliance with this order is not provided to all parties prior to hearing and included in the courtesy copies.
Page 25 | XVII. MOTIONS TO APPROVE JUDICIAL SALE
Movants in receiver appointment or mortgagee-in-possession motions must submit courtesy copies 10 court business days before the hearing.
The movant **shall** submit courtesy copies ten (10) court business days in advance of the hearing date.
Page 32 | XXI. RECEIVERS AND MORTGAGEES IN POSSESSION
Movants must provide courtesy copies to the Court for transfer requests.
Proper notice shall be sent to all parties of record and courtesy copies shall be provided to the Court by the movant.
Page 37 | XXIV
Courtesy copies will not be accepted if submitted more than 3 weeks before the scheduled matter.
(h) The Court will not accept courtesy copies tendered more than 3 weeks in advance of any scheduled matter in order to prevent the potential loss of submitted courtesy copies.
Page 9 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
For continued motions, a fresh set of courtesy copies must be emailed to Chambers before each new court date.
(j) The Court will not retain courtesy copies for continued motions. The movant shall submit a fresh set of courtesy copies to the Court's email prior to each new court date.
Page 9 | VIII. COURTESY COPIES
Physical courtesy copies are not accepted on Fridays.
(3) Physical courtesy copies will not be accepted on Fridays.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
Plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel must submit courtesy copy packets for case management conferences containing the notice of initial case management, four pages of Zoom instructions in English and Spanish, certificate of service, filed case management conference form, proposed case management order (first in the proposed orders PDF), and proposed pre-trial timeline order (second in the proposed orders PDF).
Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s counsel shall submit courtesy copy packets for case management conferences. Such a submission shall include the following: (1) Notice of initial case management pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218; (2) 4 pages of Zoom instructions in both English and Spanish; (3) Certificate of service of the notice of initial case management; (4) FILED case management conference form, a form version of which is available on the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s webpage; (5) Proposed 1-2 page case management order, a form version of which is available on the Court’s webpage under the “Court Forms” section; and (i) This order should be first in the proposed orders PDF. (6) Proposed pre-trial timeline order, a form version of which is available on the Court’s webpage under the “Court Forms” section. (i) This order should be second in the proposed orders PDF.
Page 14 | X. CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCOVERY
Courtesy copy packets for a Motion for Entry of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale must include specified contents.
Courtesy copy packets including a Motion for Entry of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale shall include the following:
Page 20 | XV. JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE PACKET CONTENTS
The movant must submit courtesy copies of the notice of emergency motion, certificate of service, and the motion with exhibits to the court's email address by 5:00 PM on the submission date.
Submit courtesy copies to the Court's email address of the filed notice of emergency motion, certificate of service, and emergency motion with exhibits by 5:00 PM on the date that the motion is submitted to the Court for preliminary review.
Page 27 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Filing Bundling Requirements
(6) All motions shall be in ONE tabbed PDF file with all supporting documents. Each tab shall be clearly titled (e.g., Notice of Motion, Complaint, Service Affidavits, Motion for Default, etc.) and neatly and intuitively organized.
(6) All motions shall be in ONE tabbed PDF file with all supporting documents. Each tab shall be clearly titled (e.g., Notice of Motion, Complaint, Service Affidavits, Motion for Default, etc.) and neatly and intuitively organized.
Page 12 | COURTESY COPIES
All damages must be proven up together in one motion, not piecemeal.
All parties seeking a determination of damages shall prove up all damages sought together in one motion and shall NOT be brought in a piecemeal fashion without the Court's prior consent to deviate from this requirement.
Page 23 | XV
Moving for judgment piecemeal against separate litigants is prohibited.
Moving for judgment in a **piecemeal fashion** against separate litigants is strictly **PROHIBITED**.
Page 23 | XV
A separate motion for foreclosure judgment is required and cannot be integrated into other judgment motions.
A plaintiff seeking a judgment of foreclosure pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/15-1506 **SHALL** file a **separate** motion for entry of judgment of foreclosure with all supporting documents required by law attached thereto. Movants for entry of judgment of foreclosure shall **NOT** integrate a motion for entry of judgment of foreclosure into a motion for summary judgment, default, or any other judgment motion.
Page 23 | XV
The Court will not enter multiple judgments of foreclosure without prior consent.
The Court will **NOT** enter multiple judgments of foreclosure in one case without the Court's prior consent to proceed in such a piecemeal fashion.
Page 23 | XV
Motions to confirm multiple judicial sales must be brought together (single or simultaneous), not piecemeal.
If multiple properties are sold via judicial sale in a single case and pursuant to an entered judgment of foreclosure permitting the sale of multiple properties, movants seeking to confirm such sales shall bring all motions to confirm the sales of these properties in either a single motion or multiple motions (one per property) simultaneously. If the Court approves the sales, the Court will enter all orders approving sale in one case concurrently. Parties seeking approval of multiple judicial sales shall NOT bring such motions in a piecemeal fashion without the Court's prior consent.
Page 24 | XVII
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
No judgment motion may be filed or noticed, and no judgment entered, until case management is stricken by the Court (4331), applying to residential and commercial properties, and noticing judgment motions before a continued case management conference is strictly prohibited.
No judgment motion shall be filed or noticed nor shall any judgment be entered prior to case management being stricken by the Court (4331). This shall apply to residential and commercial properties. Noticing judgment motions prior to a continued case management conference is strictly prohibited.
Page 13 | X. CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCOVERY
In commercial property cases where all parties are served, plaintiff may present a motion to advance and hold a case management conference instanter, but must first have case management stricken by the Court (4331) before filing or presenting judgment motions and may not piggy-back judgment motions onto the same hearing.
In matters involving commercial properties, if all parties are served, the plaintiff may present a motion to advance and hold a case management conference *instanter*. If the plaintiff files such a motion to advance and hold a case management conference, the plaintiff shall not also piggy-back judgment motions to the same hearing and shall first have the case management stricken by the Court (4331) prior to filing and presenting such motions.
Page 13 | X. CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCOVERY
Chambers Communication Rules
No contested or judgment motion may be presented at a case management conference, and no routine motion may be piggy-backed onto one without first obtaining permission from the law clerk by email or phone.
Under no circumstance shall any contested motion or any judgment motion be presented at a case management conference, and **no routine motion may be piggy-backed onto a case management conference without first contacting the law clerk via email or phone for permission.**
Page 13 | X. CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCOVERY
If a litigant or attorney cannot connect to a scheduled Zoom hearing, they should immediately call (312) 603-3894 and/or email chambers.
In the event a hearing is scheduled via Zoom and a litigant or attorney is unable to connect to Judge Seaton's Zoom hearing call, please IMMEDIATELY call (312) 603-3894 and/or email
Page 4 | IV. COURT PROCEEDINGS
Do not email or copy the general calendar email address when requesting copies of signed and entered orders.
Please DO NOT email or carbon copy the general calendar email address with such requests.
Page 8 | VII. ORDERS
(1) When tendering physical courtesy copies, the courier should call either the Court's law clerk or administrative assistant upon arrival to courtroom 2803 so that chambers staff may accept delivery and confirm receipt of the physical courtesy copies.
(1) When tendering physical courtesy copies, the courier should call either the Court's law clerk or administrative assistant upon arrival to courtroom 2803 so that chambers staff may accept delivery and confirm receipt of the physical courtesy copies.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
Do not include internal file numbers or property addresses in courtesy copy emails.
(4) Please do NOT include any "internal" file numbers of the law firm submitting the courtesy copies or property addresses in the subject line or body of the email.
Page 11 | COURTESY COPIES
The emergency motion email must have subject line 'Emergency Motion', copy all parties of record, and the movant must call the law clerk after sending.
Indicates "Emergency Motion" in the subject line of the email; (3) Carbon copies all parties of record on the email; and (4) Calls the law clerk after sending the emergency motion to the calendar's courtesy copy email address to ensure prompt handling of the motion.
Page 27 | XIX. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Motions to appoint a receiver or place the mortgagee in possession must be scheduled by emailing the calendar mailbox to request a presentment date.
These motions shall be scheduled by emailing ccc.mfmlcalendar60@cookcountyil.gov and requesting a presentment date.
Page 32 | XXI. RECEIVERS AND MORTGAGEES IN POSSESSION
Notify the law clerk at least 72 hours before court for non-Spanish/Polish interpreters.
For other languages, please notify the law clerk at least 72 hours prior to your court date so the Court may arrange for an interpreter to be present for the requested language.
Page 37 | XXVI
Continued case management conferences are held by remote video, with joining instructions provided by the Court via email to addresses on file with the Clerk's Office.
This matter is continued for further case management to _____________________ at __________ A.M. P.M. to be held by remote video. Instructions for joining the video call will be provided by the Court to the email addresses on file with the Clerk's Office, or alternate method, provided to the Court for communication.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Case Management Options
Each *pro se* litigant may contact (312) 603-7554 to conduct a one-time "test run" to prepare to access the Court's Zoom hearing call. Appointments shall be made at least three business days prior to the *pro se* litigant's scheduled court date. If a *pro se* party makes an appointment for a Zoom meeting "test run," they shall keep that appointment or call (312) 603-7554 to notify the Court of the party's intent to cancel or reschedule the "test run."
Each *pro se* litigant may contact (312) 603-7554 to conduct a one-time "test run" to prepare to access the Court's Zoom hearing call. Appointments shall be made at least three business days prior to the *pro se* litigant's scheduled court date. If a *pro se* party makes an appointment for a Zoom meeting "test run," they shall keep that appointment or call (312) 603-7554 to notify the Court of the party's intent to cancel or reschedule the "test run."
Page 5 | V. REQUESTS FOR ZOOM HEARING "TEST RUN"
Contact the Court's administrative assistant for administrative concerns.
For administrative concerns, please contact the Court's administrative assistant.
Page 38 | XXVIII
Contact the Court's judicial law clerk for legal or procedural concerns.
For legal or procedural concerns, please contact the Court's judicial law clerk.
Page 38 | XXVIII
Contact the law clerk if a fully briefed matter is resolved and parties will not argue.
As a courtesy to the Court, please contact the Court's judicial law clerk if any fully briefed matter has been resolved and the parties will not argue their briefs on the hearing date.
Page 38 | XXVIII