Rule 4-3.13 - Trial ConferenceA. Prior to the Trial Conference, the attorneys for all the parties and the unrepresented parties shall meet either in person, by telephone, or as otherwise ordered by the Court. At such meeting, they shall:1. Reach an agreement on stipulations narrowing the issues of law or fact;2. Exchange copies of exhibits that will be offered in evidence at the trial, in such form as may be ordered by the Court;3. Perform such other acts as have been ordered by the Court; and4. Jointly prepare a Trial Conference Memorandum in the form approved by the Court. It shall be the continuing duty of all of the parties and attorneys to meet, respond and cooperate to fulfill the terms of this Rule. B. At the Trial Conference each party shall be represented by the attorney who will be representing him or her in the trial of the case, unless otherwise permitted by Court Order. All the parties and attorneys must attend the Trial Conference. Any attorney having a pending fee petition must also attend the conference.C. On the date of the trial conference, counsel shall be present in court at 9:00 a.m. prepared to tender the following to all counsel and the Court: 1. Copies of all pre-marked, trial exhibits in a tabbed, three ring binder; the effective pleadings shall also be included;2. An exhibit list at the front of the binder describing the exhibit with columns labeled, "Offered", "Admitted", and "Refused"4. All preliminary motions and Motions in Limine;D. The copies in the exhibit binder given to the Court are for the Court's use during trial. Counsel shall have a separate set of exhibits to be offered into evidence and made part of the court record.E. The parties shall stipulate as to any exhibits to which there are no objections, and such exhibits shall be admitted into evidence without the necessity of further foundation.F. After the Trial Conference has taken place pursuant to this Rule, an Order shall be entered reciting the actions taken. This Order shall control the subsequent course of the case unless modified by subsequent Order. The Order following a Trial Conference shall be modified only to prevent manifest injustice.G. If a party or party's attorney or any attorney having a pending fee petition, fails to do one or more of the following:1. Obey a scheduling or Trial Conference Order;2. Appear at the Subsequent Case Management or Trial Conference;3. Properly prepare to participate in the conference; or4. Participate in good faith; the Court upon Motion or on its own Motion, may make such Order with regard thereto as is just, and assess sanctions pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 219(c), including attorney's fees, and monetary sanctions, unless the Court finds that noncompliance was substantially justified or that other circumstances make an award of expenses or the imposition of sanctions unjust.
Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Lake Cnty. 4-3.13