Unless directed by the Court, counsel and pro se litigants must not communicate with the Court about the case by phone, letter, or email (excluding submitting a proposed order).  For example, do not call chambers to ask about the status of a motion, or to ask if you need to file something.  Calling chambers inevitably interrupts the Court from working on some other case.

All communications with the Court itself must take place through a filing on the docket, properly noticed and served on opposing counsel.  Cover letters with courtesy copies are acceptable, however. 

If a party has questions about scheduling, a potential filing, the status of motions, or the logistics of trial, contact the Courtroom Deputy, Jessica J Ramos, at jessica_j_ramos@ilnd.uscourts.gov or (312) 818-6594.  In general, the Courtroom Deputy, not the Court, is the go-to person for any questions.

If there is a problem at a deposition, and counsel believes that it requires an immediate call to the Court, counsel must first read this Court’s Standing Order entitled Depositions.