Judge Melissa Durkin
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Motion
- At Least 3 Business Days Before Presentment
Petition To Approve Settlement
Courtesy copies
Court-wideCommunication
Clerk31 contacts
- tlhudson@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1807orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1803orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1802orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1806orders@cookcountycourt.com
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- probatecrt1814aorders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1812orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1809orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatedivorders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1804orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1811orders@cookcountycourt.com
- probatecrt1801orders@cookcountycourt.com
- joseph.fleming@cookcountyil.gov
- beanaele@cookcountycourt.com
- snadams@cookcountycourt.com
- dwhensel@cookcountycourt.com
- probatedivservices@cookcountycourt.com
- efilehelp@cookcountycourt.com
- jlmckay@cookcountycourt.com
- probate.divatty@cookcountyil.gov
- (312) 603-5694
- (312) 603-2486
- (312) 603-5025
- (312) 603-6878
- (312) 603-2591
- (312) 603-7229
- (312) 603-3784, (312) 603-5647
- (312) 603-6558
- (312) 603-5157
- (312) 603-5647
Chambers4 contacts
- melissa.durkin@cookcountyil.gov
- (312) 603-5943
- (312) 603-7546
- (312) 603-7545
Other Contacts1 contacts
- efiling.support@tylertech.com
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Mandatory
Motions and response briefs are strictly limited to 15 pages; reply briefs are limited to 8 pages.
Motions and response briefs are strictly limited to 15 pages. Reply briefs are not to exceed 8 pages.
Brief
15 pages
Reply Brief
8 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Submissions should be 3-5 pages in length
Summary: Pretrial settlement submissions should be 3-5 pages in length.
Pretrial Settlement Submission
5 pages
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
A jointly prepared statement of the case for the venire, including expected trial length and a joint witness list, must be submitted.
Jointly prepared statement of the case to be read to the venire, including the expected length of the trial (i.e., number of days/weeks) and a jointly prepared list of all potential witnesses to be read to the jury;
Document Type
Joint Statement Of Case
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
A jointly prepared exhibit list stating each party's intended exhibits and any objections with their nature (e.g., foundation, relevance) must be submitted.
A complete and jointly prepared list of all exhibits each party intends to use at trial and whether the opposing side has any objections. In the event of objections, the nature of the objections must be noted, i.e., foundation, relevance, etc.
Document Type
Exhibit List
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Two copies of proposed jury instructions must be provided—one marked with IPI numbering and citations, one unmarked for the jury—sorted in IPI numbering order.
Two copies of proposed jury instructions (one marked with IPI numbering and citations and the other unmarked for the jury), which are to be sorted in the order of their numbering under the IPI system.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Parties must submit a proposed briefing schedule at the time of motion presentment.
The parties are to submit a proposed briefing schedule at the time of presentment.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
After the transfer order, parties must present a second Order to the courtroom clerk or chambers email setting the case for the agreed date and time assigned by the judge.
After the transfer order is entered, the parties must present a second Order to the courtroom clerk or melissa.durkin@cookcountyil.gov setting the case for the agreed date and time assigned by the judge.
Document Type
Scheduling Order
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Pretrial settlement submissions must include a summary of any previous settlement negotiations.
Submissions should be 3-5 pages in length and must include a summary of any previous settlement negotiations.
Document Type
Pretrial Settlement Submission
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
Parties must obtain a transfer Order from Room 2005 moving the case to Room 2110 for pre-trial purposes only.
Parties must obtain an Order from Room 2005 transferring the case to Room 2110 for pre-trial purposes only.
Document Type
Transfer Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Copies of each party's motions in limine;
Summary: Copies of each party's motions in limine must be submitted upon assignment.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
A list of each party's Supreme Court Rule 216 Request for Admission of Facts and responses thereto, if any;
Summary: A list of each party's Supreme Court Rule 216 Requests for Admission of Facts and responses must be submitted.
Document Type
Rule 216 Admissions List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Any stipulations between the parties;
Summary: Any stipulations between the parties must be submitted upon jury trial assignment.
Document Type
Stipulations
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
The operative complaint, answer, affirmative defense and response thereto, and Rule 213 disclosures.
Summary: The operative complaint, answer, affirmative defense and response, and Rule 213 disclosures must be submitted upon jury trial assignment.
Document Type
Pleadings
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Pretrial settlement submissions must be provided to the Court at least 3 business days before the pretrial conference.
Pretrial settlement submissions should be submitted to the Court at least 3 business days prior to the conference.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | II. PRETRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies must be delivered at least 3 business days before the motion is presented.
Courtesy copies are to be delivered at least 3 business days before the motion is presented.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | III. MOTIONS
Petitions to Approve Settlement must be filed, with courtesy copies delivered to the chambers email.
Petitions to Approve Settlement in cases involving wrongful death, survival, minor(s) or disabled individuals must be filed, with courtesy copies delivered melissa.durkin@cookcountyil.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. PETITIONS TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT
Chambers Communication Rules
All email transmittals to the Court must copy all counsel of record.
All email transmittals must copy all counsel of record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. PETITIONS TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT
Email chambers to obtain a motion presentment date and time.
E-mail the court at melissa.durkin@cookcountyil.gov for a presentment date and time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | III. MOTIONS
Attorneys submit 3-5 possible agreed pretrial dates to the chambers email, including the case name and number and copying all counsel of record; the judge selects the first available date.
Attorneys should submit 3-5 possible agreed dates to melissa.durkin@cookcountyil.gov. Please include the case name and number. Copy all counsel of record on the communication with the Court. The judge will select the first available date for a pretrial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | II. PRETRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES