Paragraph three of Fifth Amended General Order 20-12 entered July 10, 2020, states, "Civil case hearings, bench trials, and settlement conferences may be scheduled and conducted by the presiding judge by remote means. In-court hearings are limited to urgent matters that cannot be conducted remotely." Given the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this court is ordering written status reports and ruling on motions by mail instead of holding routine status and motion hearings. This includes initial status hearings and scheduling conferences under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). Any party may request a hearing, preferably by teleconference, by filing a written request and explaining why a hearing is necessary. A request for a hearing must be filed as a separate entry on the docket, not combined with a motion or pleading.
To expedite the processing of motions and avoid unnecessary proceedings, the first page of every motion must state clearly whether the motion is opposed. Noncompliant motions are subject to being stricken from the record.
Parties and counsel are reminded that under Paragraphs 10 and 11 of the General Order:
* * Courtesy copies of filings are not to be delivered or mailed to chambers.
* * Motions may not be noticed for an in-person presentment hearing.
Status reports shall be as concise as possible and shall address:
(a) the progress of discovery;
(b) the status of briefing on any unresolved motions; and
(c) settlement efforts.
The report shall also:
(d) provide an agreed proposed schedule (or alternative proposals) for the next period of 45 to 60 days; if appropriate, the report shall propose a deadline to file the next status report;
(e) provide an agreed proposed revised discovery and dispositive motion schedule (or alternative proposals) in cases where the current schedule needs revision;
(f) request any agreed action that the court can take without a hearing; and
(g) state whether the parties believe a telephonic hearing with the judge is necessary and time urgent, and, if so, identify the issue that warrants discussion.
NOTE: Judge Gottschall is not participating in the mandatory initial discovery pilot project.
Please email Judge Gottschall's courtroom deputy, marlan_cowan@ilnd.uscourts.gov, if you need assistance with a case assigned to Judge Gottschall.
Judge Gottschall is NOT accepting extern or clerkship applications at this time.
