Judge Michael T. Mullen
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Brief, Exhibits, Respondents Brief
- 1 copy • At Least Five Business Days Prior to Clerks Status
Complaint
- 1 copy • Five Business Days in Advance
Consolidation Motions, Related Case Designation Motions
- Hand Delivery • At Least Five Business Days Before Hearing
Courtesy copies
- Hand Delivery • At Least One Business Day Before Order Entered
Adjournments
- Motions to continue trial or evidentiary hearing must be made in writing at least 5 business days before and supported by detailed affidavit.
Communication
Clerk24 contacts
- probatecrt1812orders@
cookcountycourt.com - probatedivorders@
cookcountycourt.com - probatecrt1809orders@
cookcountycourt.com - probatecrt1811orders@
cookcountycourt.com - probatecrt1801orders@
cookcountycourt.com - dwhensel@
cookcountycourt.com
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- snadams@
cookcountycourt.com - beanaele@
cookcountycourt.com - joseph.fleming@
cookcountyil.gov - probatedivservices@
cookcountycourt.com - jlmckay@
cookcountycourt.com - probatecrt1804orders@
cookcountycourt.com - efilehelp@
cookcountycourt.com - probate.divatty@
cookcountyil.gov - (312) 603-6878
- (312) 603-2486
- (312) 603-5694
- (312) 603-5157
- (312) 603-2591
- (312) 603-6558
- (312) 603-5647
- (312) 603-7229
- (312) 603-5025
- (312) 603-3784, (312) 603-5647
Other Contacts9 contacts
Chambers3 contacts
Page & Word Limits2 rules
All briefs must be double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, set with 1-inch margins, and must not exceed fifteen (15) double-spaced single-sided pages (exclusive of Exhibits), unless otherwise given leave by the Court.
- Brief
- Up to 15 pages
- Format
- Double-spaced; 12-point Times New Roman; 1-inch margins
Excluded from page count
- •Exhibits
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Motions for Summary Judgment must be filed sufficiently in advance of the set trial date to accommodate a briefing schedule and ruling. Otherwise, the motion will be taken contemporaneously with trial. Exclusive of the recitation of facts, the format and length for Contested Motions (see above) must be followed.
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Motions for default judgment must include specified attachments: notice, summons, complaint, affidavit of service, certification of court file check, military affidavit if applicable, and proposed order.
Court's wording
The following materials must be attached to the motion: a. Copy of notice of motion and motion. b. Copy of summons and complaint. c. Copy of affidavit of service. d. Attorney or pro se litigant’s certification that both the Court file and the computer register have been checked for any appearance or answer by defendant(s). The certificate must be dated no more than ten (10) days before the date selected for presentation of the motion. e. If defaulting an individual, a military affidavit as required by federal law can be found at: (CCG_N004_02-06-11.pmd (cookcountyclerkofcourt.org). f. A copy of a proposed draft order specifying relief sought.
Agreed dismissal orders must contain the original signature of all parties and/or their counsel. Please be sure to strike all future scheduled dates.
Illinois case citations must use public-domain citation or official reports, not North Eastern Reporter; online citations must be to LEXIS.
Court's wording
All Illinois case citations must use the public-domain citation or, for cases filed before July 1, 2011, the Illinois’s official reports (Illinois Reports (Ill. or Ill. 2d) or Illinois Appellate Court Reports (Ill. App., Ill. App. 2d, or Ill. App. 3d)), and not to the North Eastern Reporter (N.E.2d). See Ill. S. Ct. R. 6 (eff. July 1, 2011). All online citations must be to LEXIS.
A Table of Contents for all Exhibits must be provided, and the Exhibits must be tabbed (including digital Exhibits).
Must include
- •Table of contents
Pre-trial memoranda must contain statement of case, agreed/uncontested facts, contested facts, applicable law, and witness list.
- Document
- Pretrial memorandum
Must include
- •Statement of facts
Court's wording
Pre-Trial Memoranda will be submitted on the date set by the Court. Pre-Trial Memorandum shall contain: a. Brief statement of the case b. Statement of Agreed Facts and/or Uncontested Material Facts c. Statement of Contested Facts d. Statement of the Applicable Law e. List of all Witnesses who may be called and the area of the witness’s testimony.
Proposed agreed orders must be emailed in Word format to the court with all parties copied, signed by all parties (e-signatures permitted).
Court's wording
If the parties wish to submit a proposed Agreed Order, the parties must email the proposed Agreed Order in Word format to the Court with all parties copied on the email. The Agreed Order must be signed by all parties to the order. E-signatures, or /s/, are permitted.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All motions not classified as routine must be filed through e-filing.
All other motions must be spindled with the Clerk’s Office through e-Filing.
Page 3 | Routine Motions, Section 7
E-filing is mandatory in Illinois for all civil areas except Quasi Criminal, Housing, and Wills.
As of July 1, 2018, e-Filing is mandatory in Illinois for all Civil Areas (except Quasi Criminal, Housing and Wills). Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368.
Page 4 | Footnote 3
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Briefs filed after the briefing deadline may be stricken by the court.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any brief filed after a briefing deadline may be stricken.
Page 4 | Contested Motions & Briefs, Section 6
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Settlement memoranda must be served on opposing party at least 5 business days before settlement conference, with courtesy copies delivered hard copy and emailed same day.
Each party will serve on the other a Settlement Memorandum at least five (5) business days prior to the Settlement Conference. Courtesy copies must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email on the same date as provided to the parties.
Page 7 | Settlement Conferences, Section 2
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of petition for surplus funds must be delivered hard copy and emailed 5 business days before hearing, with consequence of striking if late.
At least five (5) business days before the date on which the Petition is noticed for hearing, a courtesy copy of the Petition, notice, and all supporting documents must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email. If courtesy copies are not delivered on time, the Court may strike the Petition.
Page 1 | Petitions for Turnover of Surplus Funds, Section 5
Courtesy copies of motion to consolidate or designate as related must be delivered hard copy and emailed 5 business days before hearing, including motion, notice, and operative complaint.
At least five (5) business days before the date on which the motion is noticed for hearing, courtesy copies must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email. The copies must include the motion, notice of motion, and copies of the operative complaint (without exhibits) for each involved case.
Page 1 | Motions to Consolidate or Designate as Related Within Chancery Division, Section 2
Courtesy copies of regular motions must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before hearing, with consequence of striking if late.
At least five (5) business days before the date on which the motion is noticed for hearing, a courtesy copy of the motion and notice of motion must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers. If courtesy copies are not delivered on time, the Court may strike the motion.
Page 2 | Regular Motions, Section 4
Courtesy copies of default judgment motions must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before hearing, including all supporting materials.
At least five (5) business days before the date on which the motion is noticed for hearing, a courtesy copy of the motion and all supporting materials listed in section two above must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers. If courtesy copies are not delivered on time, the Court may strike the motion.
Page 2 | Motions for Default Judgment, Section 3
At least one (1) business day before the order will be entered by the Court, courtesy copies should be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email. Courtesy copies should include the motion, notice, and two (2) copies of a DRAFT ORDER granting the relief requested.
At least one (1) business day before the order will be entered by the Court, courtesy copies should be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email. Courtesy copies should include the motion, notice, and two (2) copies of a DRAFT ORDER granting the relief requested.
Page 3 | Routine Motions, Section 2
Courtesy copy of complaint must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before ICM Conference for first appearances.
If the ICM Conference is the first appearance by counsel or a self- represented litigant, a courtesy copy of the complaint must be delivered in hard copy to the Court five (5) business days in advance.
Page 3 | Initial Case Management Conference, Section 2
Courtesy copies of all contested motion briefing must be delivered hard copy at least 5 business days before Clerk's Status date.
At least five (5) business days prior to the Clerk’s Status, the movant must deliver in hard copy to Chambers courtesy copies of all contested motion briefing. This includes Respondent’s briefs, exhibits, or other materials incorporated by reference.
Page 4 | Contested Motions & Briefs, Section 2
Courtesy copies of TRO motions must be delivered hard copy and emailed prior to hearing, including proof of notice and all supporting documents.
A courtesy copy of the TRO motion, including proof of notice, as well as all supporting documents, must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email prior to any hearing.
Page 5 | Temporary Restraining Order Motions, Section 4
Each party will serve on the other a Settlement Memorandum at least five (5) business days prior to the Settlement Conference. Courtesy copies must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email on the same date as provided to the parties.
Each party will serve on the other a Settlement Memorandum at least five (5) business days prior to the Settlement Conference. Courtesy copies must be delivered in hard copy to Chambers and emailed to Calendar 12’s email on the same date as provided to the parties.
Page 7 | Settlement Conferences, Section 2
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions to continue trial or evidentiary hearing must be made in writing at least 5 business days before and supported by detailed affidavit.
Any motion to continue a trial or evidentiary hearing must be made in writing no less than five (5) business days prior to the date set for commencement of the trial or evidentiary hearing, and must be supported by a specific, detailed affidavit.
Page 6 | Trial & Evidentiary Hearing Setting, Section 1
Chambers Communication Rules
Emergency motions must be scheduled with law clerks via email by 4:00 p.m., not by telephone, with required documents emailed.
Emergency Motions must be scheduled with one of Judge Mullen’s Law Clerks no later than 4:00 p.m. Dates and times will not be given over the telephone. The movant shall present the motion, relevant pleadings, attachments, affidavit(s) and complaint stating the basis for the emergency to the law clerk via email.
Page 5 | Emergency Motions, Section 1