Rule 15.18 - PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE AND TRIAL DATES(a) A case may be set for a pre-trial conference at the discretion of the trial judge. If a case set for pre-trial is settled or disposed of prior to its scheduled pre-trial conference date, the attorneys shall advise the judge in advance so that said appointed time may be used to accommodate other cases. Failure of attorneys to comply may result in the imposition of sanctions.(b) Litigants must be advised of any pre-trial conference date by their attorneys. Litigants need not appear, but must be available for consultation with their attorneys by phone during the pre-trial conference. If the attorneys fail to appear for an appointed pre-trial conference, the pre-trial will be stricken and the case may be subject to dismissal and the attorney may be subject to sanctions.(c) Whenever practical, both counsel shall prepare a written joint pre-trial memorandum. Absent such a joint memorandum, each counsel shall prepare a pre-trial memorandum that must include the following:(1) Attorneys names, addresses and phone numbers;(2) Parties' names, ages, education levels, employment, health;(3) Children's names, ages, school information, special needs;(4) Assets, debts, and liabilities; including values and characterization of marital vs. non-marital;(5) Notice of Claim of Dissipation of Marital Assets, if any;(6) Statement of areas of agreement;(7) Statement of areas of disagreement; and(8) Suggestions for settlement. Copies of the pre-trial memorandum shall be sent to the judge and to opposing counsel at least two (2) business days prior to the Conference.
A future status date shall be set following the pre-trial conference to determine if the case will settle or proceed to trial. If the case has not been resolved as of the next status date, the trial judge may set the case for trial.
(d) At the time a case is set for trial, a trial status date shall be set. At the trial status date, counsel for each party shall tender a trial memorandum to the trial judge and opposing counsel. The trial memorandum shall contain a statement of contested issues, uncontested issues, list of income, assets and liabilities, stipulations on agreed matters, a list of witnesses intended to be called, and probable length of trial. Each party shall submit a list of numbered exhibits with copies of all exhibits having been exchanged among all attorneys at least three (3) days prior to trial.(e) Cases set for trial shall only be continued for statutory cause shown with proper notice, or by order of the trial judge. It is the responsibility of each attorney to contact the court scheduler in advance of the trial date to find out if the Court is otherwise engaged and unable to hear a case on the scheduled trial date.Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Dupage Cnty. 15.18