The local rules for Illinois' 18th Judicial Circuit serving DuPage county.
Article 13 - Mandatory Arbitration: Under this rule, all eligible cases valued between $10,000 and the monetary limit authorized by the Illinois Supreme Court must be referred to non-binding arbitration. The rule outlines the necessary qualifications to be placed on the roster of approved arbitrators, the compensation for the arbitrators, scheduling and conduct of the hearings, discovery, and the procedure for rejecting an award. The rule prohibits post-hearing contact with the arbitrators.
Article 14 - Court Ordered Mediation for Civil Cases: Under this rule, mediation is voluntary for civil cases valued in excess of eligibility for Court-Annexed Mandatory Arbitration. The rule outlines the mediation process from referral to termination, confidentiality of communications, and mediator qualifications. Also outlined is re-certification and removal of mediators from the court roster.
15.15 and 15.16 Mediation Referral Program and Custody Evaluation Program: These rules authorize the referral of all issues of parental responsibility, child custody, visitation, removal, access or other non-economic issue to mediation and excludes cases in which an impediment to mediation is found to exist. Rule 15.15 outlines the qualifications of mediators and the referral process and discusses attendance, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and the disclosure of information. Rule 15.16 authorizes the order to evaluation of any of the issues eligible for mediation, once mediation has been completed. It discusses the qualifications of evaluators, the referral procedure, the evaluation process, conflict of interest, the disclosure of information and the payment of fees.
15. 22 - Expedited Matrimonial Fee Arbitration Program: This rule mandates the use of arbitration to resolve disputes regarding fees in domestic relations cases pursuant to 750 ILCS 5/508(c) as long as neither the counsel nor the client opts out. It outlines the powers and duties of the Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations Division to appoint arbitrators, make rules, educate the public, and manage the program. The rule also discusses the policies and procedures, provides immunity to the arbitrators, and prohibits the arbitrator from testifying about the arbitration hearing.
Please note that the Circuit also has a Victim-Offender Conference Program. The rules governing this program are not in the Local Rules but can be found in Sections 405/5-305 and 405/5-310 of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act and is funded through a grant from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.