The Court expects the parties to hold a Rule 26(f) conference before the initial status conference.  At the initial status conference, the Court will provide a deadline for filing a joint proposed Case Management Order.  The proposed Case Management Order shall be filed by the deadline.

The parties must use the following fillable form for the proposed Case Management Order.  It shall not be retyped.  Additional pages may be attached for information that does not fit on the form.

Parties' Proposed Case Management Order (revised 4/12/2023)

The Court expects the parties to hold a Rule 26(f) conference before the initial status conference.  At the initial status conference, the Court will provide a deadline for filing a joint proposed Case Management Order.  The proposed Case Management Order shall be filed by the deadline.

The parties must use the following fillable form for the proposed Case Management Order.  It shall not be retyped.  Additional pages may be attached for information that does not fit on the form.

Parties' Proposed Case Management Order (revised 4/12/2023)

All motions should be accompanied by a properly filed notice of motion.  The motion and notice of motion should be filed 4 business days before the date of presentment.

Discovery Motions:

Moving parties are reminded to notify the Court immediately if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions. 

If a party is seeking to enforce a subpoena on a non-party, the party must provide notice of the motion to that non-party.

All motions should be accompanied by a properly filed notice of motion.  The motion and notice of motion should be filed 4 business days before the date of presentment.

Discovery Motions:

Moving parties are reminded to notify the Court immediately if they are withdrawing any previously filed discovery motions. 

If a party is seeking to enforce a subpoena on a non-party, the party must provide notice of the motion to that non-party.

At the initial status hearing on cases brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Court will provide a deadline for filing a joint proposed FLSA Scheduling Order in lieu of a proposed Case Management Order. The parties must use the following fillable form for the proposed FLSA Scheduling Order. It shall not be retyped. Upon completion, the parties shall file the proposed FLSA Scheduling Order and submit a copy to the Court’s proposed order inbox at Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

FLSA Scheduling Order Form

At the initial status hearing on cases brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Court will provide a deadline for filing a joint proposed FLSA Scheduling Order in lieu of a proposed Case Management Order. The parties must use the following fillable form for the proposed FLSA Scheduling Order. It shall not be retyped. Upon completion, the parties shall file the proposed FLSA Scheduling Order and submit a copy to the Court’s proposed order inbox at Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

FLSA Scheduling Order Form

The Supplemental Rules for Social Security Actions under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) govern Social Security disability appeals. In cases where the certified administrative record has been filed on or after December 1, 2022, and the Court has not set a different briefing schedule, the following schedule applies. Plaintiff must file and serve an opening brief within 30 days after the Commissioner files a certified copy of the administrative record. Suppl. Rule 6. The Commissioner must file and serve a response brief within 30 days after service of Plaintiff’s brief. Suppl. Rule 7. Plaintiff may file and serve a reply brief within 14 days after service of the Commissioner’s brief. Suppl. Rule 8.

Absent leave of Court, all briefs must comply with the 15-page limitation set forth in Local Rule 7.1.

The Supplemental Rules for Social Security Actions under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) govern Social Security disability appeals. In cases where the certified administrative record has been filed on or after December 1, 2022, and the Court has not set a different briefing schedule, the following schedule applies. Plaintiff must file and serve an opening brief within 30 days after the Commissioner files a certified copy of the administrative record. Suppl. Rule 6. The Commissioner must file and serve a response brief within 30 days after service of Plaintiff’s brief. Suppl. Rule 7. Plaintiff may file and serve a reply brief within 14 days after service of the Commissioner’s brief. Suppl. Rule 8.

Absent leave of Court, all briefs must comply with the 15-page limitation set forth in Local Rule 7.1.

Before requesting entry of a confidentiality order to preserve the confidentiality of materials disclosed in discovery, counsel shall carefully review Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c), which requires that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with other affected parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action.

For agreed confidentiality orders in civil cases, to the extent possible, counsel should use the Model Confidentiality Order developed by the Northern District of Illinois.  Any proposed agreed confidentiality order must be provided to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox in Word format.  A corresponding motion for a confidentiality order should also be filed on the docket, unless the Court has given prior leave to submit a confidentiality order without a motion.

If the proposed agreed confidentiality order differs from the model, in addition to a clean Word version of the revised model order, counsel must provide a redlined copy showing any changes.  The clean and redlined copies of the confidentiality order shall be submitted to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox:  Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.  If the confidentiality order anticipates that any documents or confidential materials submitted to the court are to be filed under seal, the confidentiality order must include, at a minimum a carefully-drafted definition of the materials to be protected, with an explanation of why these documents are entitled to protection.  No document shall be filed under seal unless counsel secures a court order allowing the filing of a document under seal.  See Local Rule 5.8.

Before requesting entry of a confidentiality order to preserve the confidentiality of materials disclosed in discovery, counsel shall carefully review Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c), which requires that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with other affected parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without court action.

For agreed confidentiality orders in civil cases, to the extent possible, counsel should use the Model Confidentiality Order developed by the Northern District of Illinois.  Any proposed agreed confidentiality order must be provided to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox in Word format.  A corresponding motion for a confidentiality order should also be filed on the docket, unless the Court has given prior leave to submit a confidentiality order without a motion.

If the proposed agreed confidentiality order differs from the model, in addition to a clean Word version of the revised model order, counsel must provide a redlined copy showing any changes.  The clean and redlined copies of the confidentiality order shall be submitted to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox:  Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.  If the confidentiality order anticipates that any documents or confidential materials submitted to the court are to be filed under seal, the confidentiality order must include, at a minimum a carefully-drafted definition of the materials to be protected, with an explanation of why these documents are entitled to protection.  No document shall be filed under seal unless counsel secures a court order allowing the filing of a document under seal.  See Local Rule 5.8.

Parties who jointly agree to have a settlement conference with the Court should contact Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov to request a date.  The Court typically holds settlement conferences on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.

The Court has prepared a Standing Order setting forth its settlement conference procedures.  Counsel and their clients must read and follow the procedures outlined in the Standing Order prior to any settlement conference with the Court.

Standing Order for Settlement Conference

Parties who jointly agree to have a settlement conference with the Court should contact Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov to request a date.  The Court typically holds settlement conferences on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.

The Court has prepared a Standing Order setting forth its settlement conference procedures.  Counsel and their clients must read and follow the procedures outlined in the Standing Order prior to any settlement conference with the Court.

Standing Order for Settlement Conference

Default is a drastic remedy.  Consequently, the process used must be carefully followed, including providing the proper notice to the party against which default is being sought (“defaulting party”).  Default judgments sought under Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) require a two-step process.  Counsel must not conflate the two procedures and must rigorously adhere to the time frames specified in Fed. R. Civ. P. 55.

First, there must be an entry of default, either by the Clerk of the Court or by a court order directing the Clerk to enter the default.  A written request for an entry of default pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a) shall be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration showing that the defaulting party: (1) is not an infant, in the military, or an incompetent person; (2) has failed to plead or otherwise defend the action; and (3) has been properly served with the pleading.  A copy of the proof of service must also be attached to the motion if not already docketed.

Second, there must be a motion for default judgment.  A party moving for a default judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) shall file a motion and supporting legal documents and properly notice the motion for presentment.  Service of the motion for default judgment and notice of presentment must occur at least 7 days before the motion for default judgment is presented.  The Court will strike all motions for default judgment that fail to provide sufficient notice.  The moving party shall also append as exhibits to the motion for default judgment: (1) a copy of the Clerk’s entry of default; (2) supporting affidavits or declarations; and (3) a proposed form of default judgment.  The motion, exhibits, and notice of presentment shall be mailed by regular and certified mail to the defaulting party at the last known address of the defaulting party.  A copy of the return receipt evidencing delivery, when returned by the post office, shall be filed with the Court.  In cases involving joint and several liability, it may be premature to move for a default judgment against one defendant in a multi-defendant case because a damages hearing will not be held until the liability of each non-defaulting defendant has been resolved.  See In re Uranium Antitrust Litig., 617F.2d 1248, 1262 (7th Cir. 1980).  However, a determination of damages against the defaulting party can be made if the claims against the non-defaulting parties are dismissed.  See Domanus v. Lewcki, 742 F.3d 290, 304 (7th Cir. 2014).

As provided by Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(1) a default judgment for a sum certain may be sought from the clerk by written request accompanied by an affidavit providing the information detailed in the rule.

Failure to comply with this standing order will result in the denial of the motion.

Default is a drastic remedy.  Consequently, the process used must be carefully followed, including providing the proper notice to the party against which default is being sought (“defaulting party”).  Default judgments sought under Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) require a two-step process.  Counsel must not conflate the two procedures and must rigorously adhere to the time frames specified in Fed. R. Civ. P. 55.

First, there must be an entry of default, either by the Clerk of the Court or by a court order directing the Clerk to enter the default.  A written request for an entry of default pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a) shall be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration showing that the defaulting party: (1) is not an infant, in the military, or an incompetent person; (2) has failed to plead or otherwise defend the action; and (3) has been properly served with the pleading.  A copy of the proof of service must also be attached to the motion if not already docketed.

Second, there must be a motion for default judgment.  A party moving for a default judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) shall file a motion and supporting legal documents and properly notice the motion for presentment.  Service of the motion for default judgment and notice of presentment must occur at least 7 days before the motion for default judgment is presented.  The Court will strike all motions for default judgment that fail to provide sufficient notice.  The moving party shall also append as exhibits to the motion for default judgment: (1) a copy of the Clerk’s entry of default; (2) supporting affidavits or declarations; and (3) a proposed form of default judgment.  The motion, exhibits, and notice of presentment shall be mailed by regular and certified mail to the defaulting party at the last known address of the defaulting party.  A copy of the return receipt evidencing delivery, when returned by the post office, shall be filed with the Court.  In cases involving joint and several liability, it may be premature to move for a default judgment against one defendant in a multi-defendant case because a damages hearing will not be held until the liability of each non-defaulting defendant has been resolved.  See In re Uranium Antitrust Litig., 617F.2d 1248, 1262 (7th Cir. 1980).  However, a determination of damages against the defaulting party can be made if the claims against the non-defaulting parties are dismissed.  See Domanus v. Lewcki, 742 F.3d 290, 304 (7th Cir. 2014).

As provided by Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(1) a default judgment for a sum certain may be sought from the clerk by written request accompanied by an affidavit providing the information detailed in the rule.

Failure to comply with this standing order will result in the denial of the motion.

In light of General Order 20-0012, as amended, all civil hearings, including motion hearings will proceed by telephone appearance only unless ordered otherwise. Call-in information will be provided by minute entry. 

In light of General Order 20-0012, as amended, all civil hearings, including motion hearings will proceed by telephone appearance only unless ordered otherwise. Call-in information will be provided by minute entry. 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its regulations create a procedure for obtaining authority to use protected health information in litigation, including requesting a qualified protective order. 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e).

For agreed HIPAA qualified protective orders, counsel shall file a motion for an agreed HIPAA qualified protective order, unless the Court has given prior leave to submit a HIPAA qualified protective order without a motion. To the extent possible, counsel should use the Court’s sample HIPAA Qualified Protective Order. Any proposed HIPAA qualified protective order must also be provided to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox in Word format. If the proposed HIPAA qualified protective order differs from the Court’s sample, in addition to a clean Word version of the revised HIPAA qualified protective order, counsel must provide a redlined copy showing any changes. The clean and redlined copies of the HIPAA qualified protective order shall be submitted to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox: Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

For disputed HIPAA qualified protective orders or in cases where a party is incarcerated and has not otherwise agreed to the order, counsel shall file a motion for a HIPAA qualified protective order, provide a copy of the HIPAA qualified protective order to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox as directed above, and properly set the motion for presentment before Judge Jensen. See Local Rule 5.3(b). If a party is incarcerated, counsel should ensure that the party has received a copy of the proposed HIPAA qualified protective order before the scheduled hearing on the motion. The Court notes that if a party is seeking entry of a HIPAA qualified protective order before a discovery schedule has been addressed and the parties have not otherwise stipulated to conduct early discovery, the request for a HIPAA qualified protective order may be premature. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(d)(1) ("A party may not seek discovery from any source before the parties have conferred as required by Rule 26(f), except... when authorized by these rules, by stipulation, or by court order.”).

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its regulations create a procedure for obtaining authority to use protected health information in litigation, including requesting a qualified protective order. 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e).

For agreed HIPAA qualified protective orders, counsel shall file a motion for an agreed HIPAA qualified protective order, unless the Court has given prior leave to submit a HIPAA qualified protective order without a motion. To the extent possible, counsel should use the Court’s sample HIPAA Qualified Protective Order. Any proposed HIPAA qualified protective order must also be provided to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox in Word format. If the proposed HIPAA qualified protective order differs from the Court’s sample, in addition to a clean Word version of the revised HIPAA qualified protective order, counsel must provide a redlined copy showing any changes. The clean and redlined copies of the HIPAA qualified protective order shall be submitted to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox: Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

For disputed HIPAA qualified protective orders or in cases where a party is incarcerated and has not otherwise agreed to the order, counsel shall file a motion for a HIPAA qualified protective order, provide a copy of the HIPAA qualified protective order to Judge Jensen’s proposed order inbox as directed above, and properly set the motion for presentment before Judge Jensen. See Local Rule 5.3(b). If a party is incarcerated, counsel should ensure that the party has received a copy of the proposed HIPAA qualified protective order before the scheduled hearing on the motion. The Court notes that if a party is seeking entry of a HIPAA qualified protective order before a discovery schedule has been addressed and the parties have not otherwise stipulated to conduct early discovery, the request for a HIPAA qualified protective order may be premature. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(d)(1) ("A party may not seek discovery from any source before the parties have conferred as required by Rule 26(f), except... when authorized by these rules, by stipulation, or by court order.”).

Video Teleconferencing for Certain Criminal Proceedings

Under Section 15002(b)(1) of the CARES Act, Pub. L. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 and General Orders 20-0012 and 20-0022, as amended, the Chief Judge of this Court authorized the use of videoconferencing, or teleconferencing if videoconferencing is not reasonably available, for the following proceedings, so long as the defendant gives written or verbal consent after consultation with counsel:

i. Detention hearings under 18 U.S.C. § 3142;

ii. Initial appearances under Criminal Rule 5;

iii. Preliminary hearings under Criminal Rule 5.1;

iv. Waivers of indictment under Criminal Rule 7(b);

v. Arraignments under Criminal Rule 10;

vi. Probation and supervised release revocation hearings under Criminal Rule 32.1;

vii. Pretrial release revocation hearings under 18 U.S.C. § 3148;

viii. Appearances under Criminal Rule 40;

ix. Misdemeanor pleas and sentencings under Criminal Rule 43(b)(2); and

x. Juvenile proceedings under Title 18, Chapter 403, except for contested transfer hearings, juvenile delinquency adjudication, or trial proceedings.

Notice of Consent to Certain Criminal Proceedings By Video Conferencing.

After consultation with counsel, the defendant may file the Notice of Consent on the docket or email the Notice of Consent to Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

Detention Hearings

For detention hearings, the parties are directed to confer and advise the Court if an in-person detention hearing will be waived by the defendant, or whether either party is seeking a continuance. A defendant who does not object to detention should, before the date of the detention hearing, notify chambers either orally (through counsel) or in writing that the defendant has no objection to detention and is waiving the detention hearing. Any such waiver would be without prejudice to the court’s reconsideration of the issue of pretrial release at a later date.

Video Teleconferencing for Certain Criminal Proceedings

Under Section 15002(b)(1) of the CARES Act, Pub. L. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 and General Orders 20-0012 and 20-0022, as amended, the Chief Judge of this Court authorized the use of videoconferencing, or teleconferencing if videoconferencing is not reasonably available, for the following proceedings, so long as the defendant gives written or verbal consent after consultation with counsel:

i. Detention hearings under 18 U.S.C. § 3142;

ii. Initial appearances under Criminal Rule 5;

iii. Preliminary hearings under Criminal Rule 5.1;

iv. Waivers of indictment under Criminal Rule 7(b);

v. Arraignments under Criminal Rule 10;

vi. Probation and supervised release revocation hearings under Criminal Rule 32.1;

vii. Pretrial release revocation hearings under 18 U.S.C. § 3148;

viii. Appearances under Criminal Rule 40;

ix. Misdemeanor pleas and sentencings under Criminal Rule 43(b)(2); and

x. Juvenile proceedings under Title 18, Chapter 403, except for contested transfer hearings, juvenile delinquency adjudication, or trial proceedings.

Notice of Consent to Certain Criminal Proceedings By Video Conferencing.

After consultation with counsel, the defendant may file the Notice of Consent on the docket or email the Notice of Consent to Proposed_Order_Jensen@ilnd.uscourts.gov.

Detention Hearings

For detention hearings, the parties are directed to confer and advise the Court if an in-person detention hearing will be waived by the defendant, or whether either party is seeking a continuance. A defendant who does not object to detention should, before the date of the detention hearing, notify chambers either orally (through counsel) or in writing that the defendant has no objection to detention and is waiving the detention hearing. Any such waiver would be without prejudice to the court’s reconsideration of the issue of pretrial release at a later date.

Where an attorney seeks to withdraw from representing a party in a civil case and no other attorney has an active appearance on the docket for that party, the attorney shall file a motion to withdraw and properly set it for presentment before Judge Jensen. See Local Rule 5.3(b). The attorney shall attach the following to the motion to withdraw: (1) the form Notification of Party Contact Information in accordance with Local Rule 83.17; and (2) a certificate of service showing that the party was provided notice of the motion to withdraw and the hearing date.

Where an attorney seeks to withdraw from representing a party in a civil case and no other attorney has an active appearance on the docket for that party, the attorney shall file a motion to withdraw and properly set it for presentment before Judge Jensen. See Local Rule 5.3(b). The attorney shall attach the following to the motion to withdraw: (1) the form Notification of Party Contact Information in accordance with Local Rule 83.17; and (2) a certificate of service showing that the party was provided notice of the motion to withdraw and the hearing date.