Deborah L. Thorne
How Judge Thorne rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Thorne
Deborah L. Thorne has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since October 2015. She earned a law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Before joining the bench, she practiced as a partner at Barnes & Thornburg and served as a receiver in federal enforcement cases.
Judge Thorne's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Thorne, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Filing
File Chapter 13 plan amendments at least two business days before the confirmation hearing or the amendment will be continued.
“All plan amendments must be filed at least two (2) business days prior to scheduled confirmation hearing to provide adequate time for review.”
Filing
Counsel should include an email address in the signature block of filings in Chapter 7 and 13 cases.
“in all chapter 7 and 13 cases counsel should include their email addresses in signature blocks in each instance.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Thorne decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
For claim estimation, credible and unrebutted expert analysis can support a practical present-value estimate that permits the bankruptcy case to proceed without waiting for a full trial.
“the court estimates the Richards’ claim at $68,000,000.00 under 11 U.S.C. § 502(c).”
Procedural preferences
Dischargeability plaintiffs must prove each element rather than rely on default alone.
“as plaintiff, ACB has the burden to demonstrate that the claim was nondischargeable by the preponderance of the evidence.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“both motions will be granted”
“Byline’s Motion to Modify the Automatic Stay is granted.”
“Confirmation of the proposed plan is denied”
“a separate order will be issued dismissing the plaintiffs complaint with prejudice for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”
“the Motion to Quash will be granted as to Margon but not as to the trustee.”
“If no motion is filed in that time, the motion of the U.S. Trustee to dismiss this ease under section 707(b)(3) for abuse will be granted.”
“the Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss Case for Unreasonable Delay is OVERRULED”
“the plan may be confirmed.”
“Lake Bluff Park District is ordered to turn over currently held funds to the chapter 7 trustee.”
“The Trustee’s objections will be overruled.”
“the motion to dismiss will be denied.”
“the motion is hereby granted.”
“Judgment in favor of the Debtors will be entered and denied for the Trustee.”
Draft for Judge Thorne with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Thorne, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
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