Thomas L. Perkins

How Judge Perkins rules, drawn from 22 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

Judge Perkins no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
Position
bankruptcy
Status
Retired 2023
Served
2000–2023
Appointed by
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Commissioned
2000-07-20
Signed orders read
22

How Judge Perkins decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

In an ordinary-course defense, evidence that unusually late payments followed escalated collection pressure weighed strongly against the creditor.

“What tips the scales in favor of the TRUSTEE is the unusual collection activity that prompted the September 10, 2009, payments.”

Procedural preferences

The court favored completing a full evidentiary process when statutory timing did not expressly remove the power to reconsider an earlier stay ruling.

“The paramount concern is that the adjudication of the issue be a full and fair one that correctly determines the issue on the merits.”

Cautions

A settlement clause purporting to waive future bankruptcy discharge is not enough unless the agreed facts establish every required element.

“A bare waiver of discharge is insufficient.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

In re T.A. Brinkoetter & Sons, Inc.
· 2012-03-28
Petition for administrative expenses (NECA-IBEW Pension Fund and NECA-IBEW Welfare Fund) Granted in part

“The petition for administrative expenses filed by NECA-IBEW Pension Fund and NECA-IBEW Welfare Fund is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part;”

In re Riekena
11-81158 · 2011-09-15
Motion to dismiss debtor (Chapter 13 trustee) Granted

“the TRUSTEE’S motion will be granted.”

In re Lowe
09-83570 · 2011-04-12
Request to amend schedule (the debtors) Denied

“the Amended Schedule F filed April 3, 2011, is untimely and must be denied.”

Covey v. Nash Crane Service, Inc. (In re Pierce Development Corp.)
09-83398; 10-8088 · 2011-05-16

After trial, the court held that two unusually late payments prompted by escalated collection activity were avoidable preferences; the opinion did not decide a motion.

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. v. McVay (In re McVay)
10-82723; 10-8138 · 2011-06-22
Motion to dismiss adversary complaint (Chester Shane McVay) Denied

“the Motion to Dismiss Adversary Complaint filed by the Debtor, Chester Shane McVay, is denied.”

In re VanDyke
10-82902 · 2011-05-12
Objection to confirmation (Chapter 13 trustee) Granted

“the Chapter 13 Trustee’s objection to confirmation of the Debtor’s plan is sustained and confirmation is DENIED.”

In re Eckberg
10-81914 · 2011-01-27
Application for administrative expense (Northern Grain Marketing, LLC) Denied

“the application of Northern Grain Marketing, LLC for payment of administrative expenses is DENIED.”

Northwest Bank & Trust Co. v. Edwards (In re Edwards)
· 2010-11-09
Summary judgment (Northwest Bank & Trust Company) Denied

“the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Northwest Bank & Trust Company is DENIED.”

Associated Bank, N.A. v. Sever (In re Sever)
· 2010-09-22
Adversary complaint objecting to discharge and dischargeability (Associated Bank, N.A.) Denied

“The DEBTORS are entitled to judgment on all counts.”

Illini Bank v. Clark (In re Snyder)
· 2010-08-25
Summary judgment (Illini Bank) Granted in part

“The motion for summary judgment filed by Illini bank is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”

Summary judgment (Tri Ag, Inc.) Granted in part

“The motion for summary judgment filed by Tri Ag, Inc., is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.”

In re Stewart
· 2011-05-12
Objection to exemptions (Chapter 7 trustee) Granted

“the Chapter 7 Trustee’s objection to the Debtors’ amended claim of exemption is ALLOWED;”

In re Cole
09-83182 · 2010-04-23
Motion to dismiss case (United States Trustee) Denied

“the Motion to Dismiss filed by the United States Trustee is DENIED.”

A historical record

Judge Perkins no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.