These are the local rules for Illinois' 9th Judicial Circuit serving Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties.
Part 6: Mandatory Meidation for Child Custody, Visitation, and Removal of the local rules provides the rules for the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program. This rule applies to all cases involving child custody, visitation or removal disputes. Mediation is mandatory for all cases, unless the court determines an impediment exists that would affect a party's ability to mediate "safely, competently or in good faith." The rule provides guidelines for conducting mediation sessions. It also covers mediator qualifications, duties and compensation, as well confidentiality of communications made in mediation.