PART 10. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS  

10.1 Proceedings Under the Land Registration Act
(a) Form of orders
(b) Printed forms  

10.2 Proceedings Under the Workmen's Compensation Act
(a) Applications for judgment under Sec. 19
(b) Presentation of application  

10.3 Tax Deed Proceedings in County Division
(a) Petitions for Tax Deed
(b) Applications for Order Directing the Issuance of Tax Deed
(c) Hearing on the Petition
(d) Order for a Tax Deed
(e) Notice of Date Fixed for Application  

10.3.1 Motion to Expunge Redemption
(a) Notice  

10.4 Proceedings under Administrative Review Act  

10.5 Proceedings under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act
(a) Summons
(b) Form of Summons  

10.6 Small Claims Proceedings for Real Estate Tax Objections  

10.7 Proceedings under the Adoption Act
10.7 (II) Guardian ad Litem

10.8 Tax Objection Proceedings in the County Division
I. General Provisions
II. Valuation Objections
III. Rate Objections
 

PART 10. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

(a) Forms of Orders - Orders in land registration proceedings shall be approved as to form by either the Registrar of Titles or the Examiner of Titles, unless approval is excused by the court.

(b) Printed Forms - The printed forms prepared and prescribed by the Registrar of Titles shall be used by attorneys in land registration proceedings where practicable.

[Amended October 31, 1977, effective November 1, 1977.]

(a) Applications for judgment under Sec. 19 - Applications for judgment under Section 19(g) of the Workmen's Compensation Act or of the Workmen's Occupational Diseases Act [820 ILCS 305/19(g)] shall be made by filing a verified complaint with the clerk of the court, setting forth:

(i) the award of the arbitrator or the decision of the Industrial Commission;

(ii) the payments, if any, that have been made under the award or decision;

(iii) that no petition is pending for review by the Industrial Commission of the award, or that no proceedings are pending for review by any court of the decision of the Industrial Commission; and

(iv) that, if attorney's fees are sought, the applicant has demanded payment by the employer and that payment has been refused.

(b) Presentation of application - Upon application in open court for judgment under Section 19(g) of the Workmen's Compensation Act or of the Workmen's Occupational Diseases Act [820 ILCS 305/19(g)], there shall be presented to the court:

(i) the original complaint described in Section (a) of this rule;

(ii) a certified copy of the award or decision;

(iii) a certified copy of notice filed with the Industrial Commission of the application for judgment; and,

(iv) if the application is based upon a decision of the Industrial Commission, a certificate of the Industrial Commission or its secretary showing that no writ of certiorari or notice of any proceeding for review of the decision has been served upon or received by the Commission or its secretary.

[Adopted May 17, 1976, effective July 1, 1976.]

(a) Petitions for Tax Deed. Petitions for Tax Deed shall be filed in the name of the tax purchaser or if the certificate has been assigned in the name of assignee and shall describe the premises sold by permanent real estate index number and legal description. A copy of the certificate of purchase, together with all assignments thereof, shall be attached to the petition.

(b) Applications for Order Directing the Issuance of Tax Deed. A petition for a tax deed shall not be heard or assigned for hearing until an application for order directing the issuance of a tax deed has been filed with the Clerk of the County Division. An application shall have the following exhibits attached:

1. A receipted copy of the notice furnished to the County Clerk for mailing pursuant to Section 22-5 of the Property Tax Code.

2. A certificate of publication showing publication of notice when required by Sections 22-15 and 22-20 of the Property Tax Code.

3. Petitioner's evidence of search of public records whether by exhibit or affidavit.

4. If the premises sold are registered under the Torrens Act, a copy of the certificate of title certified not more than three months prior to expiration of the period of redemption, together with proof of compliance with Section 82 of the Torrens Act.

5. Copy of the notice lodged with the Sheriff.

6. An affidavit or affidavits of the petitioner or agent showing any information relevant to establishing that the notices required by the Property Tax Code and Torrens Act have been given and that petitioner has fully complied with all provisions of law authorizing the issuance of a tax deed.

(c) Hearing on the Petition. Prior to the hearing, the Court file should contain the certificate of the Clerk as to the mailing of notices required by Section 22-25 of the Property Tax Code, the original sheriff's returns filed with the Clerk, together with the signature cards returned from certified mailings and the returned envelopes from undelivered mailings. At the hearing or prior to the entry of any order directing the County Clerk to issue a tax deed, petitioner shall exhibit to the Court the original certificate of purchase and all original receipts evidencing payment in full of all general taxes and special assessments which became due and payable subsequent to the tax sale and redemption from all subsequent forfeitures and tax sales. Testimony taken at the hearing shall be transcribed and filed not later than the time of the entry of the order directing the issuance of a tax deed.

(d) Required Statutory Notice. The notice required under 22-10 of the Property Tax Code should follow the statutory form and also designate the courthouse, the courthouse address, the room number, the date and the time of hearing (e.g., this matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of Cook County in Room 1704, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 on __________ at 9:30 a.m.).

[Amended, effective May 2, 2005.]

(e) Order for a Tax Deed. Any order for a tax deed shall describe the property to be conveyed by permanent real estate index number and legal description. The order for deed shall have affixed thereto the certificate of the County Clerk dated subsequent to the period of redemption showing that no deposit for redemption of the tax sale has been made.

(f) Notice of Date Fixed for Application. At the time of filing a Petition for tax deed, petitioner shall give notice to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County as to the date when petitioner shall appear before the Assignment Judge to make application that a tax deed issue and request assignment for hearing and disposition.

The Clerk shall enter the case number on the call of the Assignment Judge for the date given. All cases shall be called and assigned on said date, provided petitioner has filed its application and unless a continuance is requested by petitioner for good cause. If petitioner fails to appear on any court date, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution by order of the Court. The Clerk of the Court shall notify petitioner or its attorney of said dismissal order by mail within seven (7) days from the date of its entry.

[Amended, effective September 16, 1996.]

(i) For motions filed prior to the filing of Petition for Tax Deed:

(1) County Clerk;
(2) Party making redemption; and
(3) Part entitled to Section 241 (a) Notice [35 ILCS 200/22-5].

(ii) For motions filed after the filing of Petition for Tax Deed:

(1) County Clerk;
(2) Party making redemption;
(3) Party entitled to Section 241 (a) Notice [35 ILCS 200/22-5]; and
(4) Party(ies) entitled to Section 263 and/or Section 266 Notice.

[Adopted November 23, 1992, effective December 1, 1992.]

On motion and without notice to the opposite party, the court may, by written order, (1) authorize any party to an administrative proceeding to withdraw the record of proceedings had before the administrative agency from the court file; and (2) direct the party to return the record to the file not later than ten days before the date the cause is set for hearing.

[Adopted May 17, 1976, effective July 1, 1976.]

(a) Summons- In actions filed in the Municipal Department for relief under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act, the summons shall:

(1) be issued under the seal of the court;
(2) be tested in the name of the clerk, and signed with his name;
(3) be dated on the date it is issued and be directed to the defendant;
(4) bear the address and telephone number of the plaintiff or his attorney;
(5) specify the date and place the defendant is to file his appearance and appear for trial which shall not be less than 14 days or more than 40 days after the issuance of the summons; and
(6) specify that the summons shall not be serve later than 7 days before the trial date.

(1) District One of the Municipal Department-Summons Form:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT FIRST DISTRICT

	)	No.
	)
	)	Action for:
Plaintiff	)
	)	Possession________________
v.	)	Rent Amount Claimed $________________
	)
	)	Trial Date________________
Defendant	)
	)	Trial Time________________

SUMMONS FOR TRIAL

*Not less than 14 days nor more than 40 days after the issuance of summons.

____________________,CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY

 

	)	No.
	)
	)	Action for:
Plaintiff	)
	)	Possession________________
v.	)	Rent Amount Claimed $________________
	)
	)	Trial Date________________
Defendant	)
	)	Trial Time________________

SUMMONS FOR TRIAL

*Not less than 14 days nor more than 40 days after the issuance of summons.

____________________,CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY

In order to facilitate the dispositions of Specific Objections, the following small claims procedures are established:

APPENDIX TO RULE 10.6

A. Section 2-50 Cover Sheet Form:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
COUNTY DEPARTMENT - COUNTY DIVISION

Appraisal: Date________

Appraiser_____________________

Final Value $____________

Cost Income Approach to Value	$____________
Income Approach to Value	$____________
Market Approach to Value	$____________

Sale: Date of Sale________________________

Amount of Sale $_______________________

 
 

Income/Expense Documents: Federal Tax Return/Statements _________________________     Years ________ - ______
Gross Income:	Most Recent Year   _____	$________________
	Intermediate Year  _____	$________________
	Most Remote Year  _____	$________________
Expenses:	Most Recent Year   _____	$________________
Net Income:	Most Recent Year   _____	$________________ (Before RET/Interest/Dep)
Proposed Cap Rate________	Tax Load Factor________	Total_______%

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

TAXPAYER REQUEST:____________________________

This cause coming on for a final pre-trial conference, and the parties being represented by their respective counsel,

1. The parties have entered into a stipulation of uncontested facts and uncontested matter of law, as follows:
   [The parties are directed to narrow the factual and legal issues for trial by stipulation insofar as possible. Each of the following items, which will normally be uncontested or will have been resolved by the trial management order, must be stipulated unless a specific dispute as to that item has arisen:
   
   Volume: _______________       Township: ____________________
   P.I.N.(s):____________________________________________________________
   Location: ____________________________________________________________
   
   Description:
   (1) Land:____________________________________________________________
   (2) Improvement(s):___________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________
   (3) Use (for subject tax year): __________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________
   
   Current Assessment and Taxes:
   (1) Classification:________________________________________________________
   (2) Total AV:____________________________________________________________
   (3) Indicated FMV:_______________________________________________________
   (4) Tax Rate:__________________            Equalizer: ____________________
   (5) Total Annual Taxes: __________________________________________________

2. Plaintiff's claim is based on the following total fair market value, total assessed value, and total annual taxes for the subject property, and plaintiff seeks the following total tax refund:
   (1) FMV:_______________________________________________________________
   (2) Total AV:____________________________________________________________
   (3) Total Annual Taxes:___________________________________________________
   (4) Refund Claimed: _____________________________________________________

3. The contested issues of law and fact in this case are as follows:
   [The parties are directed to make an agreed statement of contested issues insofar as possible in whole or in part. To the extent that agreement cannot be reached a separate statement by each party shall be included.]

4. The exhibits to be offered at trial by each party are as follows:
   
   [Each party is to list all exhibits, including documents, charts, summaries or other items to be offered in evidence, and any demonstrative evidence. All exhibits are to be marked for identification, and are to be made available to the opposing party for inspection or copying, prior to trial; and copies thereof shall be furnished to the Court. Counsel are directed to stipulate to the authenticity of exhibits wherever possible, and no objection to authenticity shall be entertained by the court unless it has first been noted on the exhibit list which is made part of this order. Both sides are to submit memorandums as to the contested exhibits.]

5. List of all depositions, if any, or portions thereof, to be offered in evidence by each party are as follows:

   [Each specific portion of any deposition to be offered in evidence shall be identified by the name of the deponent, date of the deposition, and the page(s) and lines(s) of testimony to be offered. Any objections to admission of the deposition in evidence shall be noted on the list by the objection party.]

6. The names and addresses of the witnesses who may be called by each party are as follows:

   [Each party is to list all witnesses who may be called to testify, including opinion witnesses and exception only rebuttal witnesses who are not identifiable prior to trial. If more than one opinion witness is listed for a party, the subject matter of each such witness's testimony shall be noted on the list.]

7. All discovery has been completed and, except for good cause shown, no further discovery shall be permitted.

   [Normally, all discovery will be completed before the final pre-trial conference pursuant to the scheduling call or trial management order. Further discovery will only be permitted by the court upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, in which event this paragraph would be modified to set forth what discovery remains to be completed by each party.]

8. [The order shall also provide for any other matters which would contribute to the efficient trial and deposition of the case.]

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
PHONE NUMBER:
ATTORNEY NUMBER:

[Adopted this 28th day of June, 2001, effective July 2, 2001.]

(a) Each petitioner required to file an affidavit pursuant to Section 14 of the Adoption Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. Ch. 40, par 1517) [750 ILCS 50/14] shall include in such affidavit all costs, expenses, contributions, fees, compensation or other thing of value paid to:

(i) any attorney, partner or associate of the attorney, or any person employed by or under contract to the attorney for any products and services related to locating a child available for adoption, including but not limited to individual consultations, written materials, telephone answering, advertising, and mail solicitations; and

(ii) any person, agency, association, organization, institution, society, partnership or corporation for any products and/or services related to locating a child available for adoption, including, but not limited to individual consultations, written materials, telephone answering, advertising, and mail solicitations.

(b) The following items shall not be included in such affidavit:

(I) the cost of advertising, paid directly to the provider of such advertising by the petitioner;

(ii) the cost of any telephone, telephone service and telephone answering machine installed in the home of each petitioner, the cost of which is paid directly by the petitioner;

(iii) the cost of any commercial telephone answering service, paid directly to the provider of such service by the petitioner;

(iv) the cost of printing, photocopying, photography, postage, and other services involved in mail solicitations, paid directly to the provider of such services by the petitioner;

(v) the cost of adoption classes and seminars, open to the general public and paid for directly by the petitioner;

(vi) the cost of books, magazines, audiotapes, videotapes and other materials available through retail sources purchased by the petitioner from a retail source other than any of the persons or entities listed in parts (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this Rule; and

(viii) expenses incurred by the petitioner for such petitioner's personal travel, lodging and living expenses.

[Amended November 23, 1992, effective December 1, 1992.]

§1-10. Objectives. This Rule 10.8 is intended to adapt the County Division's procedures on tax objection complaints to the substantive legislative changes embodied in PA 89-126 (HB 1465), to respond to the anticipated increase in the volume of the filing of such complaints and to limit the time elapsed in the resolution of the complaints, all as consonant with the Illinois Supreme Court's announced policy of encouraging active case management by the trial court in litigation matters.

§1-15. Applicability. This Rule 10.8 shall be effective for all tax rate objection matters filed for 1989 and following tax years and for valuation objection matters for 1993 and following tax years, except that the provisions of §1-20 of this rule regarding the form of tax objection complaints shall be effective for tax objection matters for 1994 and following tax years. The terms "plaintiff" and "complaint" as used in this rule shall be construed to include the terms "objector" and "objection" as may be necessary for tax years prior to 1994.

§1-20. Form of Tax Objection Complaints. Tax objection complaints under Section 23-10 and 23-15 of the Property Tax Code [35 ILCS 200/23-10 and 23-15] shall be filed in triplicate (including all exhibits and attachments), and the circuit court clerk shall promptly provide one copy to the State's attorney and one copy to the county collector. The caption of the complaint shall designate the objecting taxpayer as "plaintiff" and the county collector as "defendant" and shall include a title identifying the year of the taxes to which objection is made. Each complaint shall also designate in the caption below the case number the following, depending on the nature of the case: (i) where the complaint includes objections to the budgets or levies of one or more taxing bodies, to the rate making process, or to the extension of taxes, regardless of any other grounds of objection alleged, the words "Rate Objection" shall appear; and (ii) where the complaint includes only objections to the assessed valuation of the subject property, the words "Valuation Objection" shall appear. The caption of the complaint shall be in substantially the following form:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
COUNTY DEPARTMENT, COUNTY DIVISION

§1-25. References. Whenever in this rule reference is made solely to a section number, it means that section of this Circuit Court Rule 10.8. Whenever section references are made to other sources, such as the Property Tax Code or Supreme Court Rules, it is so stated.

§2-10. Forms of Valuation Objection Complaints. Valuation objection complaints shall provide at least the following information: (a) the name of the plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney; (b) the location of the subject property by common street address; (c) the township in which the property is located; (d) the volume(s) and permanent index number(s) which identify the subject property on county records; (e) the final assessed value and equalized assessed value of the subject property for the tax year in question; (f) the total annual taxes for the subject property, the total amount of taxes paid, and whether the payment was made within the time required by law; (g) a statement indicating whether any available administrative remedy was exhausted; (h) a statement of the factual or legal basis for the plaintiff's claim for relief; and (i) the relief requested.

§2-15. Valuation Objection Calendars. The court shall establish calendars for valuation objection matters.

§2-20. Inactive Period. Each case shall be considered active upon being set for the case management call and shall be considered inactive prior thereto. During the inactive period the parties may voluntarily conduct discovery, but no responses thereto shall be considered due or enforceable until the times provided in this rule (see case management call order, §2-45).

§2-25. Settlements. At any time prior to trial the parties may settle the case by jointly filing a memorandum of settlement and proposed agreed settlement order with the court.

§2-30. Purpose. The case management call is designed to activate in an orderly fashion valuation objection cases. This call will bring the plaintiff into court to commence the presentation of the case. It will also determine the plaintiff's compliance with initial production of the documentation supporting the claim. The appearance of the parties is not required at this call.

(a) The court shall set case management calls of all cases which have been filed for each tax year. The order setting any case or group of cases on the case management call shall specify a case management call date approximately 120 days following the date of the order. Case management calls shall be set at 9:30 a.m. on the first working Tuesday of each month.

(b) The circuit court clerk shall cause a notice of the order to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Cook County and shall post a listing of the case management calls in the courtroom assigned for such actions.

§2-40. Preparation of Draft Order/Assignment of Assistant State's Attorney. Plaintiff's counsel may submit a draft case management call order to the clerk in the assigned courtroom in advance of the call, or may attend the call and submit the draft order at that time. Plaintiff's counsel shall send a copy of the case management call order entered by the court to the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney shall provide plaintiff's counsel with the name of the Assistant State's Attorney assigned to the case within 15 working days after the case management call.

§2-45. Form of Case Management Call Order. The case management call order shall be in substantially the following form:

     This cause coming to be heard on the Court's Case Management Call, due notice having been given and the Court being advised in the premises,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

(a) No later than two months prior to the case management call, plaintiff shall produce documentary evidence and material to the State's Attorney which plaintiff deems sufficient to support the claim set forth in the complaint. Plaintiff's production may include any materials which plaintiff believes are relevant to the claim, and it shall include at a minimum the information and documents enumerated in subsections (c) and (d) of this section unless an objection to any part thereof is sustained by the court.

(b) If plaintiff desires to object to production of any item required under this section, a written objection explaining the factual and legal basis therefor shall be served upon the State's Attorney no later than the date specified for completion of the document production. Any remaining part of the required information and materials not within the scope of the objection shall be produced by the same date. The provisions of Supreme Court Rule 201(b) (scope of discovery), 201(j) (effect of discovery disclosure), 201(m) (filing of materials) and 201(n) (claims of privilege) shall apply to the production required by this rule, and the court may enforce this rule by dismissal pursuant to 2-31(a) or by any appropriate sanction pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 219.

(c) Plaintiff's initial production shall be submitted together with a statement signed under oath attesting that all of the information and documentation required pursuant to subsection (d) of this section has been provided to the best of plaintiff's knowledge, information and belief, with the exception of: (i) any specified document or information which does not exist; or (ii) any specified document or information which is known or believed to exist but is not within plaintiff's possession or control. The statement under this subsection shall expressly indicate which exception applies to any documentation or information which is not produced.

(d) The information and documents required as part of plaintiff's initial production shall consist of: (i) copies of all tax bills for the property for the subject tax year; (ii) for tax years prior to 1994, copies of protest letters filed; (iii) a description of the size, age, condition and use of the subject property during the subject tax year; (iv) a description of the nature and cost of any improvements to the subject property during the period of two years prior to and through the end of the subject tax year; (v) the contracts and closing statements relating to any transfer of ownership of the subject property within the period from two years prior to and through the end of the subject tax year; (vi) any complaints and related documents submitted to the Assessor's Office or Board of Appeals for the subject tax year; and (vii) any self-contained or limited appraisal report or other estimate of the value of the subject property which has a date of valuation within the period of two years prior to and through the end of the subject tax year. Plaintiff need not duplicate the submission of any documentation falling within more than one category under this rule.

C. Trial Management Call

§2-60. Purpose. The trial management call has four specific purposes: (1) to mark the transition from settlements to preparation for trial; (2) to provide a forum to resolve disputes before full-scale discovery; (3) to designate the Assistant State's Attorney assigned to the case; and (4) to offer an opportunity for the parties to inform the court of their intent to go to trial, at the discretion of the judge it may be assigned out.

(a) No later than seven days prior to the date set for the trial management call, plaintiff's counsel shall deliver a draft of a proposed agreed trial management call order to the State's Attorney. The proposed agreed trial management call order shall contain the dates specified in §2-34 A and shall be signed by both parties, unless one or both parties requests a modification thereof pursuant to §2-34 B.

(b) If a motion is made under §2-34 B, or if the proposed order deviates from the schedule specified in §2-34 B, both parties shall appear at the trial management call. If a proposed agreed trial management call order conforms to the schedule specified in §2-34 A, and is submitted to the court in advance, no appearance by either party shall be required and the court shall enter the order. The failure of either party to appear in support of a motion under this rule shall be deemed a forfeiture of interested party's rights.

§2-90. Form of Order. The trial management call order shall be substantially in the following form:

     This cause coming on to be heard on the Court's trial management call, due notice having been given and the Court being advised in the premises,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

§2-110. Purpose. The discovery provisions harmonize and clarify the varying time requirements for discovery compliance specified in this rule and in the comparable Supreme Court Rules.

§2-115. Failure to Disclose Opinion Witness or Report. Failure of any party to make timely disclosure of opinion witnesses or their reports pursuant to any order entered under this rule shall be deemed an election by that party not to use such opinion witnesses or reports.

§2-120. Discovery under Supreme Court Rules. The parties may voluntarily conduct discovery at any time, including the time that the case is considered inactive under this rule. However, no responses to any discovery requests shall be considered to be due or enforceable prior to the first compliance date as provided in the Case Management Call Order under §2-45. Thereafter, responses to discovery shall be due as provided in the applicable Supreme Court Rules, subject to the cut-off dates established by court order.

§2-125. Efforts to Limit Discovery and Aid Settlement. Prior to the date set for the disclosure of opinion witnesses, the State's Attorney shall review the plaintiff's initial production of documentary evidence and the parties shall confer regarding the possibility of settlement, the need for the disclosure of additional information which would aid in the resolution of the matter, the nature and scope of any contested issues of fact and law, the intent to consult with opinion witnesses prior to trial or to have such witnesses testify at trial, the nature and scope of discovery sought by either party, motions, and the estimated time required for completion of discovery and for trial. The parties shall cooperate in an effort to limit and expedite discovery, and to simplify and define any contested issues.

E. Small Claims Procedure - See Circuit Court Rule 10.6

F. Progress Call [RESERVED]

§2-200. Purpose. The trial assignment call looks toward the trial of unresolved cases. It describes the parties' positions, permits a pre-trial settlement conference with the court, and is a forum for resolving procedural disputes between the parties. The appearance of both parties is required.

§2-220. No Change of Venue. A party who voluntarily participates in a pre-trial conference with a judge shall be deemed to have waived any right to a change of venue (substitution of judge) without cause pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-1001(a)(2).

§2-225. Form of Order. The trial assignment order shall be in substantially the following form:

     This cause coming on to be heard on the Court's trial assignment call, due notice having been given and the Court being advised in the premises,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

H.Trial Provisions

§2-240. Purpose. These provisions are designed to facilitate the orderly conduct of trials.

(a) No later than fourteen days prior to the due date of the pre-trial order, plaintiff's counsel shall deliver a draft of a proposed agreed final pre-trial order to the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney shall return the draft to plaintiff's counsel with any desired changes no later than seven days before the due date, and the parties shall confer as necessary to resolve any differences and submit an agreed pre-trial order within the time allotted. The completed proposed final pre-trial order shall be signed by both parties and submitted to the court on or before the due date. If the parties are unable to agree on a final draft of the proposed order, each party shall submit a separate draft to the court on or before the due date, and the court shall resolve any disputes concerning the final pre-trial order and shall take such other action as it deems necessary for the efficient trial and disposition of the case.

(b) The parties shall contact the clerk for the assigned trial judge to determine the dates for trial.

§2-250. Form of Final Pre-Trial Order. The final pre-trial order shall be in substantially the following form:

     This cause coming on for a final pre-trial conference, and the parties being represented by their respective counsel,

THE COURT HEREBY ENTERS THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS AND ORDER:

1.The parties have entered into a stipulation of uncontested facts and uncontested matters of law, as follows:

[The parties are directed to narrow the factual and legal issues for trial by stipulation insofar as possible. Each of the following items, which will normally be uncontested or will have been resolved by the trial management order, must be stipulated unless a specific dispute as to that item has arisen:

Volume:__________________________       Township:____________________________

P.I.N.(s):__________________________________________

Location:__________________________________________

Description:

(1) Land:__________________________________________

(2) Improvement(s):__________________________________________

(3) Use (for subject tax year):__________________________________________

Current Assessment and Taxes:

(1) Classification:__________________________________________

(2) Total AV:__________________________________________

(3) Indicated FMV:__________________________________________

(4) Tax Rate:___________________________       Equalizer: ________________________

(5) Total Annual Taxes:__________________________________________

2. Plaintiff's claim is based on the following total fair market value, total assessed value, and total annual taxes for the subject property, and plaintiff seeks the following total tax refund:

(1) FMV:__________________________________________

(2) Total AV:__________________________________________

(3) Total Annual Taxes:__________________________________________

(4) Refund Claimed:__________________________________________

3. The contested issues of law and fact in this case are as follows:
[The parties are directed to make an agreed statement of contested issues insofar as possible in whole or in part. To the extent that agreement cannot be reached a separate statement by each party shall be included.]

4. The exhibits to be offered at trial by each party are as follows:
[Each party is to list all exhibits, including documents, charts, summaries or other items to be offered in evidence, and any demonstrative evidence. All exhibits are to be marked for identification, and are to be made available to the opposing party for inspection or copying, prior to trial; and copies thereof shall be furnished to the Court. Counsel are directed to stipulate to the authenticity of exhibits wherever possible, and no objection to authenticity shall be entertained by the court unless it has first been noted on the exhibit list which is made part of this order.]

5. Lists of all depositions, if any, or portions thereof, to be offered in evidence by each party are as follows:
[Each specific portion of any deposition to be offered in evidence shall be identified by the name of the deponent, date of the deposition, and the page(s) and line(s) of testimony to be offered. Any objections to admission of the deposition in evidence shall be noted on the list by the objecting party.]

6. The names and addresses of the witnesses who may be called by each party are as follows:
[Each party is to list all witnesses who may be called to testify, including opinion witnesses and excepting only rebuttal witnesses who are not identifiable prior to trial. If more than one opinion witness is listed for a party, the subject matter of each such witness's testimony shall be noted on the list.]

7. All discovery has been completed and, except for good cause shown, no further discovery shall be permitted.
[Further discovery will only be permitted by the court upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, in which event this paragraph would be modified to set forth what discovery remains to be completed by each party.]

8. The order shall also provide for any other matters which would contribute to the efficient trial and deposition of the case.

9. Trial is set to commence at _________.m. on ____________, without further notice. This order will control the course of the trial and may not be amended except by consent of the parties and the court, or by order of the court to prevent manifest injustice.

10. All exhibits, witness lists, and other materials as previously mentioned that may be used at trial are to be delivered to the judge five working days prior to the trial, unless one or both of the parties object. The purpose of this document production is to offer the judge the opportunity to view the exhibits prior to the start of the trial.

ENTER: __________________________________________

/S/__________________________________________       Attorney for Plaintiff	/S/__________________________________________      Assistant State's Attorney
NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE NUMBER ATTORNEY NUMBER

§2-255. Trial Date. Trial shall be set to commence at the assigned judge's next available trial date.

(a) If a complaint joins rate objections filed on behalf of multiple properties, it shall identify them by an attached schedule of properties. The schedule must provide at least the following information as to each subject property for the tax year to which the complaint pertains: the name of the plaintiff taxpayer; the volume and permanent real estate index number which identifies the property on the county records; the tax code (town code) shown on the county records; and the state equalized valuation. A schedule shall also set forth consecutive parcel numbers for each property listed thereon.

(b) Objections shall be set forth separately as to each taxing body whose taxes are challenged. If multiple taxing bodies are involved, the objections regarding each of them shall be set forth beginning on a new page of the complaint and this page shall also contain a heading setting forth the full name of the taxing body.

(c) Complaints involving multiple taxing bodies shall be divided in sections as follows: (i) any general objections applicable to all taxing bodies; (ii) any objections applicable to the following major taxing bodies (in this order): The Board of Community College District No. 508, The Board of Education of the City of Chicago, The Chicago Park District, The City of Chicago, The County of Cook, The Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; (iii) any objections to suburban taxing bodies (traditionally known as "country towns"), grouped as follows: Townships, Park Districts, Villages, and Cities (in alphabetical order); Community College Districts, High School Districts, School Districts and Unit School Districts (in numerical order); Fire Protection Districts, Public Library Districts, and Sanitary Districts (in alphabetical order); Public Health Districts, Conservancy Districts, Abatement Districts, Sanitarium Districts (in the order listed here), and all other districts.

(a) After the entry of an order setting all rate objection complaints filed with respect to any tax year for an initial status hearing pursuant to 3-20, the State's attorney may mail a copy of the order, a copy of this rule, and a copy of the pertinent rate objections, to each taxing body named therein or to its attorney if a separate appearance has been filed under 3-15(b).

(b) Any taxing body named in a rate objection complaint may direct the entry of an appearance by additional counsel of its choice, absent objection by the State's attorney. The additional appearance of any taxing body may be filed in advance of the initial status hearing held pursuant to 3-20, or thereafter upon leave of court, and copies of the appearance shall be served upon the State's attorney and upon each plaintiff who has filed objections to the taxes of that taxing body.

(c) The additional counsel for each taxing body which has entered such an appearance shall be primarily responsible for the conduct of the litigation on its behalf. In the absence of an appearance by additional counsel, each taxing body shall continue to be represented by the State's attorney in conjunction with the State's attorney's representation of the county collector.

(a) At an appropriate time following the filing of rate objection complaints for each tax year, considering the demands of its calendar, the court shall enter an order setting all complaints for that tax year for an initial status hearing. The order shall be entered at least 60 days in advance of the date set for the hearing. The circuit court clerk shall mail copies of the order within 30 days of its entry to all plaintiff's counsel of record and to any pro se plaintiff, and notice shall also be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Cook County and may be given by mail to the various taxing bodies as provided in 3-15(a).

(b) All plaintiff's counsel and any pro se plaintiff shall personally appear at the initial status hearing. Additional counsel for taxing bodies who have entered an appearance shall appear personally at the hearing. Taxing bodies which have not yet entered an additional appearance shall inform the State's attorney in advance of the initial status hearing of their intentions concerning representation.

(c) At the initial status hearing the court may designate one or more plaintiffs and their counsel who consent to act as "lead objector" and "lead counsel" to facilitate the conduct of the litigation involving taxing bodies subject to multiple similar tax objection complaints.

(d) At the close of the initial status hearing the court shall enter an order setting the various rate objection complaints for further status hearing, grouping the complaints for purposes of such hearings by type of taxing body or otherwise as the court deems appropriate. The order shall direct the parties to confer regarding exchange of relevant documents, stipulation to uncontested facts, and the possibility of settlement, and the parties shall be prepared to report their progress in these matters to the court at the next hearing.

(a) At any status hearing subsequent to the initial hearing the court shall receive the reports of each party of progress in preparation for trial or settlement, and the court may set any of the objections for pre-trial conference or trial or may enter such other orders as it deems appropriate. If any objections have been settled, lead counsel or other plaintiffs' counsel shall have the primary responsibility, in cooperation with counsel for the affected taxing body, to prepare and file an order and such other documents reflecting the settlement as may be appropriate pursuant to Section 23-30 of the Property Tax Code [35 ILCS 200/23-30].

(b) No notice of subsequent hearings will ordinarily be provided to either plaintiffs or to taxing bodies.

(c) Plaintiffs who have not been designated as a lead objector may file a written declaration at any status hearing subsequent to the initial hearing, stipulating that they have agreed to amend their objections to conform to those filed by one of the lead objectors and have agreed to be fully bound by the lead objector's resolution of such objections by trial or settlement. Absent an order of court to the contrary upon motion of any party for good cause shown, the declaration shall be deemed to effect an amendment of the plaintiff's objections to conform to those of the designated lead objector. The declaration shall be filed substantially in the following form:

     Plaintiffs, by their undersigned attorneys, hereby stipulate and declare as follows:

1. Plaintiffs have reviewed the objections set forth in the tax objection complaint filed by the lead objectors in Case No. __________________________________________ (the "Lead Objections"), as such objections pertain to the taxing bodies whose taxes were extended against each of the parcels identified in the above captioned complaint.

2. Plaintiffs intend that this declaration shall stand as an amendment to the above captioned complaint to conform to the Lead Objections pursuant to Rule 10.8 3-25(c)-(d) of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

3. Plaintiffs intend that the objections in the above captioned complaint, as amended by this declaration, shall be considered to be identical in all respects to the Lead Objections. Plaintiffs agree that all orders entered with respect to the Lead Objections shall also apply to the objections in the above captioned complaint, as amended, and Plaintiffs agree that they shall be fully and completely bound by any disposition of the Lead Objections, whether by trial or settlement, without further notice.

Respectfully submitted,

/S/[Counsel for Plaintiffs]

/S/ [Counsel for Lead Objectors]

Provided, that the declaration shall not be filed without the consent of the lead objector named therein, and a copy of the declaration shall be served upon the State's Attorney and all additional counsel who have appeared on behalf of taxing bodies whose taxes are subject to objections referred to in the declaration..

(d) The declaration filed pursuant to 3-25(c) shall not be withdrawn except on motion and leave of court for good cause shown, and leave may be denied if the court finds that the withdrawal would cause a delay or other prejudice to any party. Any plaintiff who has filed a declaration pursuant to 3-25(c) shall be fully bound by any order entered as to the lead objector's objections, and shall be fully bound by the lead objector's resolution of the objections by trial or settlement, without further notice or hearing separate from the lead objector.

(e) Lead counsel, and counsel for all plaintiffs and all pro se plaintiffs who have not filed a declaration under 3-25(c) of this rule conforming their objections to those of a lead objector, shall appear personally at all hearings involving their complaints. The complaint of any plaintiff who fails to appear at a hearing in violation of this rule shall be subject to dismissal for want of prosecution.

(f) Additional counsel for all taxing bodies shall appear personally at all hearings involving the objections to their taxes. All pending objections to any taxing body which has entered an appearance by additional counsel may be disposed of summarily and without further notice if such additional counsel fails to appear at a hearing in violation of this rule.

[Amended June 28, 2002.]