U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filing

Unpaid filing fees from a dismissed case become due immediately and may jeopardize an installment-fee application in a new case.

“If a debtor owed filing fees at the time of dismissal of a case, those fees are immediately due and payable. If filing fees remain unpaid and the debtor files a new case, an application to pay the filing fee in installments in the new case may be denied.”

Filing

Do not file payment advices with the court unless ordered; provide them to the trustee and timely requesting creditors at least seven days before the first creditors’ meeting.

“copies of all payment advices or other evidence of payment received within 60 days before the date of the filing of the petition by the debtor from any employer of the debtor (1) shall not be filed with the court unless otherwise ordered, and (2) shall be provided to the trustee and to any creditor who timely requests copies of the payment advices or other evidence of payment, at least seven days prior to the first date set for the meeting of creditors”

Filing

Attorneys must file documents electronically under the court’s CM/ECF administrative procedures.

“all attorneys must comply with the Administrative Procedures for the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing System, approved February 17, 2004 and amended from time to time, that require attorneys to file all documents in electronic format.”

Other

For Chapter 13 cases filed from June 1, 2025, the maximum flat fee under Local Rule 5082-2 is $5,500, subject to the order’s exceptions.

“for all chapter 13 cases filed on or after June 1, 2025 the maximum Flat Fee authorized for chapter 13 debtor's counsel under Local Rule 5082-2 is $5,500, except as provided below.”

Other

Unless the Chapter 13 plan provides otherwise, pay current mortgage installments before nonmortgage secured claims, administrative costs, arrears, and unsecured claims.

“Unless otherwise provided in a chapter 13 plan, claims of creditors will be paid pro rata in the following order: (1) current mortgage payments under 1322(b)(5); (2) monthly payments on non-mortgage secured claims; (3) costs of administration; (4) mortgage arrears under 1322(b)(5); (5) priority unsecured claims other than costs of administration; and (6) other unsecured claims.”