Since March 19, 2020, the federal courts in the Central District of Illinois have been limited in operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the District Court entered several orders providing that all civil hearings must be conducted telephonically or by videoconference. On June 15, 2020, the District Court entered its Fourth Amended Order related to proceedings before the court, the use of video and teleconferencing, and the operation of the federal courthouses in the District. It provides for limited access to the courthouses in the District and directs members of the public to contact the Clerk’s office of specific courts in each division for information about operating hours and public access. The Fourth Amended Order is effective immediately and remains in full force and effect until July 17, 2020, or further order of the court. View the District Court’s Fourth Amended Order here.

The Bankruptcy Court will continue to operate in full compliance with the District Court orders. Consistent with the Fourth Amended Order, all hearings before the Bankruptcy Court through July 17, 2020, will be conducted telephonically or by videoconference, unless otherwise specified by the Court.

Notwithstanding the limited reopening of the federal courthouses in the Central District of Illinois, physical public access to the Bankruptcy Court will remain limited at this time. Bankruptcy Court staff continues to work, however, and documents filed through the Court’s ECF system will be processed normally and without delay. Staff is available to provide assistance telephonically at the numbers listed on the Bankruptcy Court website.

Filers who do not have access to the Court’s electronic filing system are encouraged to submit their filings through the mail. Documents and filing fees should be mailed to the appropriate divisional office at one of the addresses listed on the Bankruptcy Court website. Additionally, drop boxes will be located inside the doors of the courthouses and documents may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at those locations. When dropping documents off at a drop box, please make sure to do the following:

1. Place all documents and filing fees in a sealed envelope clearly addressed to the Bankruptcy Court. The District Court and Bankruptcy Court will be sharing drop boxes so clearly addressing envelopes intended for delivery to the Bankruptcy Court will avoid confusion. Do not drop loose papers or checks into the drop box. 

2. If a filing fee is due with your documents, include the fee in the form of a money order or cashier’s check payable to the Clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Do not include cash or a personal check with your filing. 

3. Regardless of what information is included on the documents to be filed, please include your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address with the filing. This will allow us to contact you if further information is needed.