Judge Alison C. Conlon
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Email • At Least Two Business Days Before Presentment
Default Motions
- 1 copy
Motion
- 1 copy • Email • At Least Two Days in Advance
Motion in Limine, Deposition Transcript, Exhibits, Exhibit List, Witness List
- Email • Two Days Before Pretrial Conference
Adjournments
- Motions to continue trial are disfavored; they should be made well in advance and supported by affidavits or other material showing a specific good cause.
- Lawyers must agree to reasonable requests for extensions of time and waiver of procedural formalities unless doing so would materially or adversely affect the client's legitimate rights.
Request must include
Communication
Other Contacts9 contacts
Chambers5 contacts
Clerk2 contacts
Page & Word Limits2 rules
There is a 15-page limit on Supporting and Responsive briefs. There is a 7-page limit on Reply briefs. Leave of court is required to file a brief in excess of these limits.
- Brief
- Up to 15 pages
- Reply brief
- Up to 7 pages
Memoranda in support and opposition and responses are limited to 15 pages; reply memoranda are limited to 7 pages, unless prior leave of Court is granted.
- Memorandum in support
- Up to 15 pages
- Response
- Up to 15 pages
- Reply memorandum
- Up to 7 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
No memorandum in support of a filing, including memoranda in support of a motion and motions and briefs in support of and in opposition to administrative review, may exceed 15 pages without specific prior leave of Court, nor may a response. o No reply memorandum may exceed 7 pages without specific prior leave of Court.
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Motions to exceed page limits are disfavored. This limit may not be evaded by font size, margin manipulation or otherwise. A motion for extension of page limits is not a routine motion.
file to the Court, with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped PDF copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits
- File type
Formatting
- •File-stamped
Use the fillable PDF Calendar 4 Case Management Order (available at https://www.cookcountycourt.org/Judges-Pages/Conlon-Alison) or use Word format, so the Court can make changes if needed.
Please send orders in Word format.
- File type
- Word
- Agreed order
Document Filing Requirements21 rules
A motion for default judgment must be accompanied by the notice, summons showing service, the motion, a draft judgment order, the operative complaint, and materials supporting the prima facie case.
Court's wording
With the motion for default judgment, the movant must provide: The notice, summons showing service, and motion for default judgment; A draft judgment order specifying the precise relief sought; A copy of the operative complaint; and Any other materials supporting the movant's burden of showing a prima facie case for the relief sought.
An attorney’s signed and certified statement that the Clerk’s electronic docket indicates that the defendant has not filed an appearance or answer;
If leave to file an oversized brief has been previously granted, include the order with the briefs when submitted.
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the noncompliant brief being stricken.
When parties submit joint motions to approve proposed class settlements, they must complete and include the below chart with their submission. Parties should also be prepared to answer questions about the proposed settlement, including those stated below the chart.
Following any appearance in front of this Court, Parties must send an agreed proposed order to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov by noon the day of presentment.
- Document
- Agreed order
Must include
- •Proposed order
The parties shall then confer and send the Court an agreed proposed order setting the hearing date.
- Document
- Agreed order
Must include
- •Proposed order
All parties are expected to respond timely about the preferred date and then submit an agreed proposed order to that effect.
- Document
- Agreed proposed order
Include
- •Proposed order
Include the following information for remote appearances, unless otherwise ordered: Zoom Meeting ID Number: 974 5431 3798 Password: 501494 Dial In Number (if needed): (312) 626-6799
A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.
If a deposition is cited, a copy of the entire transcript must be provided, with an index and exhibits.
Arguments raised only by footnote will not be considered, nor are parties permitted to circumvent page limits by merely incorporating arguments raised in other briefs by footnote or otherwise.
No response to a motion to reconsider will be accepted unless requested by the Court.
Online citations should be to Lexis (which the Court has), not Westlaw (which the Court does not have). If a party has access to Westlaw only, the party must append copies of key cases to its brief for the Court’s review.
The pretrial memorandum for the settlement conference must include identification, claims, facts, legal issues, amounts owed and paid with proof, and related itemization.
- Document
- Pretrial memorandum
Must include
- •Statement of facts
Court's wording
The pretrial memorandum shall contain: 1. An identification of the parties and their respective attorneys (including phone number(s)). 2. A listing of all causes of action, including all counterclaims, cross claims, third party actions, etc. 3. A statement of facts in dispute. 4. The issue(s) of law in the case and any issue(s) of law in dispute. 5. The actual claim(s) of plaintiff and/or defendant. 6. A statement of all amounts owed, and all amounts paid and proof thereof, if such exists, including but not limited to copies of invoices, receipts, and other documentation.
Each proposed exhibit list must include a cover-sheet table with columns for exhibit number, description, stipulation to foundation, other objections and their nature, and whether the exhibit was admitted.
- Document
- Proposed exhibit list
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Court's wording
Each proposed exhibit list must have a cover sheet showing a table with columns for (1) the exhibit number, (2) the description, (3) whether the parties stipulate to the foundation, (4) whether there are any other objections to the admissibility of the exhibit and if so, the nature of the objection, and (5) whether the exhibit was admitted or not.
Proposed orders must include Judge Conlon’s Zoom information when an opposing party is pro se, and should include it otherwise.
Court's wording
It is helpful to include the following language regarding Judge Conlon’s Zoom Information, and mandatory if the opposing party is a pro se litigant: This case is set for a status on [the pleadings, settlement, fact / written discovery] at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 2408’s virtual courtroom, which can be accessed via phone or Zoom: ■ Zoom Meeting ID Number: 974 5431 3798 ■ Password: 501494 ■ Additional information regarding accessing the virtual courtroom can be found on Judge Conlon’s page on the Court’s website.
Include the date on which the parties appeared in Court in the body of the order.
- Document
- Agreed order
- Placement
- Body of the document
Identify the parties that appeared and did not appear (if any).
State the date of the appearance.
Include
- •State the date of the appearance
Court reporters should be provided by the parties. If a trial is not reported, counsel will have to prepare a Bystanders' Report for any appeal. The Court will review any such document but will not itself prepare the document.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The fully briefed motion packet must be submitted to the Court at or shortly before 9:15 a.m. on the clerk's status date.
At or shortly before 9:15 a.m. on the clerk’s status date, the movant shall submit to the Court by email, with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped PDF copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits, including a copy of the operative pleading.
Page 2 | VI. Motion Call - Contested Motions and Hearings
Any party may object to a routine motion. Objections may be made by a written filing or by email before 8:45 a.m. on the noticed date.
Any party may object to a routine motion. Objections may be made by a written filing or by email before 8:45 a.m. on the noticed date.
Page 3 | VIII. ROUTINE MOTIONS
For a routine motion, the notice, motion, proof of service, and draft order must be emailed to the court at least two full court days before the noticed date.
A copy of the notice, motion, proof of service, and draft order must be emailed to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov at least two full court days before the noticed date.
Page 3 | VIII. ROUTINE MOTIONS
Each party must email a pretrial memorandum to Calendar 4 and all counsel at least 2 days before the settlement conference, and must not file it with the Clerk.
Not less than two (2) days before the conference, each party shall email to Calendar 4 and all counsel of record, a pretrial memorandum. Do not file the pretrial memorandum in the Clerk’s Office.
Page 6 | XVI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
The parties must exchange proposed exhibit lists with exhibits attached at least seven days before the pre-trial conference.
At least seven (7) days before the scheduled pre-trial conference, the parties must exchange copies of their proposed exhibit lists with exhibits attached.
Page 7 | XVII. PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE
All dispositive motions must be filed and noticed so that initial presentment and briefing-schedule entry occur no later than 60 days before the trial date unless a court order provides otherwise.
Unless otherwise specified in a case management order or otherwise ordered by the court, all dispositive motions shall be filed and duly noticed for hearing such that the motion comes before the court for initial presentation and entry of a briefing schedule not later than sixty (60) days before the trial date, except by prior leave of court and for good cause shown.
Page 8 | XVIII. DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS
Agreed proposed orders must be emailed to the Court by noon on the day of presentment.
Following any appearance in front of this Court, Parties must send an agreed proposed order to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov by noon the day of presentment.
Page 2 | AGREED ORDERS
The deadline to email non-TRO emergency motion papers is 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing.
A complete set of the motion papers, marked “EMERGENCY,” must be emailed to the Court via email, at CCC-USChanceryCalendar4@cookcountyil.gov by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing date.
Civil cases
Dispositive motions must be filed and noticed for hearing so they come before the court for initial presentation and entry of a briefing schedule no later than 60 days before trial, unless the court orders otherwise or good cause is shown.
Unless otherwise specified in a case management order or otherwise ordered by the court, all dispositive motions shall be filed and duly noticed for hearing such that the motion comes before the court for initial presentation and entry of a briefing schedule not later than sixty (60) days before the trial date, except by prior leave of court and for good cause shown.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Case Management Order
Agreed orders may be submitted by email at least three business days before the scheduled court date; if no order is received, the parties must appear.
Agreed orders may be submitted to the Court by email at least three business days before the scheduled court date.
Page 3 | VIII. ROUTINE MOTIONS
Courtesy copies submitted after noon cannot be set for a same-day emergency hearing.
Courtesy copies sent after noon will never be set for a same-day hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | TRO MOTION PROCEDURE
Courtesy copies for TRO matters submitted after 4:30 p.m. are reviewed the next court day.
Please note that courtesy copies sent to the Court after 4:30 p.m. on a date certain will be reviewed the next day.
Civil cases
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Plaintiff’s counsel must deliver a written itemized damages and settlement demand to defendant’s counsel at least 10 days before the settlement conference.
At least ten (10) days prior to the settlement conference, plaintiff’s counsel shall submit a written itemization of damages and settlement demand to defendant’s counsel with a brief explanation of why such a settlement is appropriate.
Page 6 | XVI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
Defendant’s counsel must submit a written settlement offer to plaintiff’s counsel no later than 5 days before the settlement conference.
No later than five (5) days prior to the settlement conference, defendant’s counsel shall submit a written offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief explanation of why such a settlement is appropriate.
Page 6 | XVI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
If no settlement is reached, plaintiff’s counsel must email the demand/offer letters to Calendar 4 at least 2 days before the conference; the letters must not be filed with the Clerk.
If settlement is not achieved, plaintiff’s counsel shall deliver electronic copies of these letters to the Calendar 4 email address [ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov] no later than two (2) days before the conference. Do not file copies of these letters in the Clerk’s Office.
Page 6 | XVI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
All parties must be copied on the email to the Court when submitting a TRO motion, absent exceptional circumstances.
Except in extremely unusual and compelling circumstances, demonstrated clearly and convincingly by the movant, all parties must be cc’d.
Civil cases
At or shortly before 9:15 a.m. on the clerk’s status date, the movant shall submit to the Court by email, with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped PDF copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits, including a copy of the operative pleading.
At or shortly before 9:15 a.m. on the clerk’s status date, the movant shall submit to the Court by email, with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped PDF copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits, including a copy of the operative pleading.
Page 2 | VI. Motion Call - Contested Motions and Hearings
In non-TRO emergency proceedings, all parties should be copied on the email to the Court, barring exceptional circumstances.
Except in extremely unusual and compelling circumstances, demonstrated clearly and convincingly by the movant, all parties should be cc’d.
Civil cases
Courtesy Copy Requirements
At the Clerk's Status, the movant must email a complete set of courtesy copies (all briefs and relevant pleadings, formatted per the standing order) to the Calendar 4 chambers email.
At Clerk's Status, the movant is required to supply the Court with a complete set of courtesy copies, including all briefs and any relevant pleadings. Copies should be formatted in accordance with the standing order and sent as PDF attachments via email to CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies
All courtesy copies must be emailed to Calendar 4 chambers; paper copies are not to be submitted unless the Court specifically requests them.
Calendar 4 is paperless. All courtesy copies must be sent by email to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov. If the Court requires paper copies, the Court will notify you. Please do not submit any paper copies unless specifically requested to do so.
Page 1 | I. Paperless Chambers
The Court requires a courtesy copy of: o The notice, summons showing service, and motion; o An attorney’s signed and certified statement that the Clerk’s electronic docket indicates that the defendant has not filed an appearance or answer; and o A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.
The Court requires a courtesy copy of: o The notice, summons showing service, and motion; o An attorney’s signed and certified statement that the Clerk’s electronic docket indicates that the defendant has not filed an appearance or answer; and o A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.
Page 4 | IX. DEFAULT
Each party must submit a courtesy copy of the proposed exhibit list and cover sheet, with all columns completed except the admitted/not-admitted column, at least two days before the pre-trial; the parties must confer before that courtesy-copy deadline.
At least two days before the pre-trial, each party must submit a courtesy copy of said list and cover sheet with every column completed except whether the exhibit was admitted or not admitted.
Page 7 | XVII. PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE
Parties must also submit courtesy copies of the following by email at least two (2) days before the pre-trial conference: A complete set of all motions in limine. Full transcripts of any evidence depositions which any party will use, marked to identify what portions will be offered at trial. A complete, pre-marked set of all exhibits, including an exhibit list which identifies each exhibit and states whether (and, if so, why) any party objects to it. Parties should avoid duplication and should stipulate to foundation wherever possible. A complete witness list, specifying who will, and who may, be called by each party. Failure to disclose a witness will usually result in barring the witness.
Parties must also submit courtesy copies of the following by email at least two (2) days before the pre-trial conference: A complete set of all motions in limine. Full transcripts of any evidence depositions which any party will use, marked to identify what portions will be offered at trial. A complete, pre-marked set of all exhibits, including an exhibit list which identifies each exhibit and states whether (and, if so, why) any party objects to it. Parties should avoid duplication and should stipulate to foundation wherever possible. A complete witness list, specifying who will, and who may, be called by each party. Failure to disclose a witness will usually result in barring the witness.
Page 8 | XVII. PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE
Email courtesy copies of all motions and other documents to the Court at least two business days before presentment.
Courtesy copies of all motions, or other, are to be sent via email at least two business days before presentment. The Court’s email is: ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov
Page 1 | ELECTRONIC COURTESY COPIES
A party wishing to present a TRO motion should deliver a copy of the motion papers (including the Complaint), marked “EMERGENCY,” to the Court via email, at CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
A party wishing to present a TRO motion should deliver a copy of the motion papers (including the Complaint), marked “EMERGENCY,” to the Court via email, at CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
Civil cases
A complete set of non-TRO emergency motion papers marked “EMERGENCY” must be emailed to the Court by 2:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing.
A complete set of the motion papers, marked “EMERGENCY,” must be emailed to the Court via email, at CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@cookcountyil.gov by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing date.
Civil cases
Motions may be piggybacked onto a status or case management call if a courtesy copy is emailed to the Court at least two days before the date.
Parties are welcome to present motions on a previously set status or case management date, as long as they email a courtesy copy to the Court at least two days in advance of the date.
Page 2 | V. Status and Case Management Call
On the date of your clerk’s status, the movant shall email electronic courtesy copies of the fully briefed motion, including a copy of the complaint, and a law clerk will provide the parties with hearing date options via email.
On the date of your clerk’s status, the movant shall email electronic courtesy copies of the fully briefed motion, including a copy of the complaint, and a law clerk will provide the parties with hearing date options via email.
Page 2 | CLERK'S STATUS
A courtesy copy for every non-routine noticed motion must be emailed to Calendar 4 at least two full court days before the noticed date; failure to comply may result in the motion being stricken.
The movant shall submit copies of a courtesy copy to the Court with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped.pdf copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits, including a copy of the operative pleading.
Page 2 | VI. Motion Call
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Fee petitions filed under seal or for in camera review require prior leave of Court, including special State's Attorney fee petitions.
Fee petitions filed under seal or for in camera review will not be accepted without prior leave of Court. (This includes In re Special States Attorney fee petitions.)
Page 5 | XIII. FEE PETITIONS
Filing Bundling Requirements
On the clerk's status date, the movant must email a bundled submission of file-stamped PDF copies of all briefs, exhibits, and the operative pleading to the Court.
At or shortly before 9:15 a.m. on the clerk’s status date, the movant shall submit to the Court by email, with a copy to all opposing parties, file-stamped PDF copies of all of the briefs and any exhibits, including a copy of the operative pleading.
Page 2 | VI. Motion Call - Contested Motions and Hearings
A default and a default judgment must be obtained separately and cannot be bundled or decided at the same time.
The Court requires each to be obtained separately and not simultaneously. In other words, a party must first be held in default, then given notice of a separate prove-up date for a default judgment.
Page 4 | IX. DEFAULT
The parties may, by mutual agreement, file a joint pretrial memorandum in lieu of separate filings, or submit agreed memoranda, stipulations, or other pre-trial material.
The parties may, by mutual agreement, submit a joint pretrial memorandum in lieu of separate filings, and may submit agreed memoranda, stipulations and/or other material that may assist in the resolution of factual and/or legal issues prior to trial.
Page 7 | Pre-Trial/Settlement Conference
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must confer meaningfully under Supreme Court Rule 201(k) before bringing any discovery dispute to the Court.
Before bringing any discovery dispute to the Court, the parties must confer meaningfully under Supreme Court Rule 201(k).
Page 6 | XV. DISCOVERY
The Court will assume parties have conferred before every virtual status hearing and motion presentment.
The Court will assume parties have conferred before every virtual status hearing and motion presentment.
Page 1 | Zoom Information
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions to continue trial are disfavored; they should be made well in advance and supported by affidavits or other material showing a specific good cause.
Motions to continue trial are disfavored and should be made, if at all, well in advance and accompanied by affidavits or other material demonstrating a specific good cause for the continuance in accordance with applicable rules.
Page 8 | XIX. TRIALS
Lawyers must agree to reasonable requests for extensions of time and waiver of procedural formalities unless doing so would materially or adversely affect the client's legitimate rights.
(iv) Lawyers shall agree to reasonable requests for extensions of time and for waiver of procedural formalities, provided that the clients’ legitimate rights will not be materially or adversely affected.
Page 13 | (b) Scheduling
Chambers Communication Rules
After any court appearance, parties must email an agreed proposed order to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
After any appearance in Court, the Parties must email an agreed proposed order to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
Page 3 | VII. PROPOSED ORDERS FOLLOWING ANY COURT APPEARANCE
Interpreter requests must be emailed to the Calendar 4 address at least two days before the hearing, stating the languages needed; parties may also arrange for their own interpreters.
To request an interpreter, please email ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov at least two (2) days prior to the hearing, indicating what language(s) are needed. Additionally, parties may provide their own interpreters.
Page 9 | XX. INTERPRETERS
Calendar 4 chambers can be reached by phone at (312) 603-4158 or by email at CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@CookCountyIL.gov.
Cal 4 phone number: (312) 603-4158 Phone No.: __________________________ CCC.ChanceryCalendar4@CookCountyIL.gov
Civil cases
Page 1 | Briefing Schedule Order
Parties may request a settlement conference at any time by emailing Court chambers.
Parties may request a settlement conference at any time by emailing Court chambers.
Page 6 | XVI. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
A fillable version of the Preliminary Approval Chart may be requested by emailing Calendar 4.
Parties may request a fillable version of the below chart by emailing Calendar 4.
Page 9 | XXII. PROPOSED CLASS SETTLEMENTS
Interpreters are available during remote proceedings, but requests must be promptly made (at least two court days prior to the hearing). In order to make a request, contact the Court at ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
Interpreters are available during remote proceedings, but requests must be promptly made (at least two court days prior to the hearing). In order to make a request, contact the Court at ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov.
Page 2 | USING AN INTERPRETER
Parties must email electronic copies of pretrial memoranda and operative complaints, counterclaims and affirmative defenses to Calendar 4 chambers at least two days before the conference.
Parties shall email to the Calendar 4 and/or Court4 [ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov] copies of all pretrial memoranda and operative individual complaints, counterclaims and affirmative defenses not less than two (2) days before this conference.
Page 7 | Pre-Trial/Settlement Conference