Judge Margaret J. Schneider
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 25 pages
- 1 copy • Mail • Upon Filing
Binding: Three Ring Binder
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Position statements should be no more than 10 pages each.
Summary: Settlement position statements limited to 10 pages each.
Settlement Position Statement
10 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
The Court typically conducts settlement conferences remotely via video conferencing; however, the Court will hold a conference in-person if the parties’ request. The Court generally holds a joint session with short opening remarks and questions by the Court, generally with no opening presentations by the parties. This short, joint session will be followed by each party having private caucuses with the Court. The Court expects both the lawyers and the party representatives to be fully prepared to participate openly during these discussions. Statements made by any party during the settlement conference are not to be used in discovery and will not be admissible at trial.
Summary: Settlement conferences are typically remote via video but can be in-person if requested; format includes joint session followed by private caucuses.
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Plaintiff must file the interrogatory answers with the Court under the specified title, no earlier than and by 42 days after the order is issued.
By _________________ [42 days from the date this Order is issued], and no earlier, Plaintiff shall answer the Court's Interrogatories (attached to this Order) under oath or penalty of perjury, serve a copy on Defendant, and file the answers with the Court entitled "Notice of Filing Answers to Court's Interrogatories."
Document Type
Answers To Court Interrogatories
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The parties are required to submit their statements to the Court by e-mail. All settlement correspondence should be sent to: Settlement_Correspondence_Schneider@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
Summary: Settlement statements must be emailed to specific chambers address.
Document Type
Settlement Position Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Individuals with full and complete settlement authority on behalf of the parties are ordered to personally attend the conference. An insured party shall appear with a representative of the insurer who is authorized to negotiate and who has authority to settle the case. If a party is an individual, that individual must personally attend. If a party is an
Summary: Parties with settlement authority must personally attend settlement conference.
Document Type
Settlement Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The settlement conference letters required by this Order and the settlement conference are governed by Local Rule 83.5 relating to Revised June 8, 2017 Confidentiality of Alternative Dispute Resolution Proceedings. Settlement communications are confidential, including settlement conference letters and statements made during the settlement conference. These communications are confidential under Federal Rule of Evidence 408, as well as Western Division ADR Local Rule 4-10. The communications are also “confidential” in the generic, common understanding of the word. The Court expects the parties to address each other with courtesy and respect, but also to speak frankly and openly about their views of the case.
Summary: Settlement conference communications are confidential under multiple rules and must be treated as such.
Document Type
Settlement Conference Letter
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Having a client or representative with authority available by telephone is not an acceptable alternative, except under the most unusual and extenuating circumstances (and must be approved by the Court ahead of time in those cases). Because the Court generally sets aside several hours for each conference, it is impossible for a party who is not present to appreciate the process and the reasons that may justify a change in one’s perspective towards settlement. Failure to comply with this provision without good cause will result in an order requiring the party in violation to reimburse the opposing party’s attorney fees and costs related to preparing for and appearing at the settlement conference.
Summary: Telephone attendance is prohibited except in extraordinary circumstances with prior court approval; non-compliance results in fee sanctions.
Document Type
Settlement Conference
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
If the parties are successful in reaching an agreement, they will be required to detail the terms of the agreement at the conclusion of the conference, so that the terms are binding on the parties. Defendants that generally prefer a certain format of settlement agreement are encouraged to prepare it as much as possible ahead of time and bring it with them to the conference, in the hope that it can be filled out with all the final terms if the parties are successful in reaching a settlement.
Summary: Settlement terms must be detailed and made binding at conference conclusion; defendants should prepare settlement agreement format in advance.
Document Type
Settlement Agreement
Filing & Service rules
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The parties must serve the specified documents on each other within 21 days after the order is issued, but must not file them.
By _________________ [21 days from the date this Order is issued], the parties shall serve upon each other (but not file) copies of the following:
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | FLSA SCHEDULING ORDER
No earlier than, and by 42 days after the order is issued, Plaintiff must answer the Court’s Interrogatories under oath or penalty of perjury, serve Defendant, and file the answers under the specified title.
By _________________ [42 days from the date this Order is issued], and no earlier, Plaintiff shall answer the Court's Interrogatories (attached to this Order) under oath or penalty of perjury, serve a copy on Defendant, and file the answers with the Court entitled "Notice of Filing Answers to Court's Interrogatories."
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 2 | FLSA SCHEDULING ORDER
For qualifying opt-in Plaintiffs in collective actions, the Paragraph 1 document exchange is due within 20 days after filing the opt-in notice, and their interrogatory answers must be filed and served within an additional 20 days.
In collective actions, an exchange of documents as referenced in Paragraph 1 shall occur with respect to opt-in Plaintiffs who join the action before the dissemination of a court- approved opt-in notice. The exchange of documents must occur within twenty days of their filing of opt-in notices with this Court, and such opt-in Plaintiffs must thereafter file and serve their respective answers to the Court's Interrogatories within an additional twenty days.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | FLSA SCHEDULING ORDER
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Statements over 25 pages require courtesy copies to chambers.
If a statement (10-page limit) plus exhibits totals more than 25 pages, in addition to emailing a copy, it must also be three-hole punched and placed in a binder and mailed to chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | A. Before the Settlement Conference - Setting a Date and Exchange of Proposals
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Either party may move to alter the schedule upon a showing of good cause.
Either party, for good cause shown, may move to alter this schedule should the circumstances so warrant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 4 | FLSA SCHEDULING ORDER