Mandatory Pilot Program Expedites Discovery Schedules For The Northern District Of Illinois

The Situation: Effective June 1, 2017, the "Mandatory Initial Discovery Pilot Project" requires parties in civil cases heard in the Northern District of Illinois to respond to a series of standard discovery requests.

The Motivation: The three-year pilot project was implemented to determine if the initial discovery requirements will reduce costs and decrease delays of civil litigation procedures.

The Result: The ultimate effects of the program will not be known until the end of its three-year run. In the meantime, parties to civil litigation should be aware that the program may require the production of discovery on a more expedited basis.

Beginning June 1, 2017, the Northern District of Illinois will be participating in a three-year pilot project, known as the "Mandatory Initial Discovery Pilot Project," which will require the parties in civil cases to respond to a series of standard discovery requests before undertaking other discovery in the case. These new