An injunction that automatically stays certain collection activity and other actions against the debtor and the debtor’s property the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed.

United States Trustee: An officer of the U.S. Justice Department responsible for supervising the administration of bankruptcy cases, estates and case trustees, monitoring plans and disclosure statements, monitoring creditors’ committees, fee applications and performing other statutory duties.
 
Case Trustees:
 
1. Chapter 7 Trustee: A person appointed in a chapter 7 case to represent the interest of the bankruptcy estate and the unsecured creditors. The trustee’s responsibilities include reviewing the debtor’s petition and schedules, liquidating the property of the estate, and making distributions to creditors. The trustee may also bring actions against creditors or the debtor to recover property of the bankruptcy estate.
 
2. Chapter 13 Trustee: A person appointed to administer a chapter 13 case. A chapter 13 trustee’s responsibilities are similar to those of a chapter 7 trustee; however, a chapter 13 trustee has the additional responsibilities of overseeing the debtor’s plan, receiving payments from debtors and disbursing plan payments to creditors.

A record of a court proceeding is available in the following formats:
1.  Audio files for all matters heard by Judge Mary P. Gorman and selected matters heard by Judge Thomas L. Perkins are uploaded to the Case Management /Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system and are available through PACER,
2.  CD, and
3.  transcript.

To order an audio CD of digitally recorded court proceedings, please call the Clerk’s Office:

• Springfield – (217) 492-4551
• Peoria – (309) 671-7035
• Urbana – (217) 974-7330

To order a transcript of a court proceeding, click here for a list of transcription services.

The Meeting of Creditors is recorded by the Trustee. The court does not keep or provide a copy of the recording. To request a copy of the recording, please contact the Office of the United States Trustee at (309) 671-7854.

A discharge releases a debtor from personal liability for certain debts known as dischargeable debts as set forth in the Bankruptcy Code, and prevents the creditors owed those debts from taking any action against the debtor to collect the debts.  The discharge also prohibits creditors from communicating with the debtor regarding the debt, including telephone calls, letters, and personal contact. If you have questions whether a particular debt is dischargeable, you should consult an attorney.