U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
2 judges profiled from their own signed orders: how each rules on motions, with the orders quoted. Court-wide standing orders ↓
Laura K. GrandyLeft this court 2024
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Mary E. Lopinot
Bankruptcy judge, appointed by Merit selection
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Courts revise these, so confirm the current version before you file. The court's local rules ↗
- General Order 26-3: Authorization of Chapter 13 Plan Payment by Personal Check and Collection of Fees ↗
- General Order 26-2: Procedures for Access and Management of Sealed Documents ↗
- General Order 26-1: Attorney’s Fees in Chapter 13 ↗
- General Order 25-3: Noticing of Motions to Determine Mortgage Status ↗
- General Order 25-1: Adoption of Form Motion to Extend Automatic Stay ↗
Filing
The Chapter 13 trustee may accept personal checks for plan payments.
“Effective immediately, the Chapter 13 Trustee is now also permitted to accept personal checks as an authorized form of Chapter 13 Plan payment.”
Motions
A Rule 3002.1(f) motion to determine mortgage status needs a separate notice with a 28-day response period, served with the motion on all parties in interest.
“must be accompanied by a separate Notice providing a 28-day response period. Said Motion and Notice must be served by the Movant on all parties in interest.”
Motions
For Chapter 13 automatic-stay extension requests under § 362(c)(3), debtors must use the court’s verified-motion form.
“debtors shall use the Court’s form Verified Motion to Extend Automatic Stay in all Chapter 13 cases in which an extension of the automatic stay is sought pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(c)(3).”
Sealing
Serve sealed documents by means other than CM/ECF.
“service of those documents can no longer be accomplished through CM/ECF. Parties will have to serve sealed documents by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure.”
Sealing
A party entitled to a sealed document must request a paper copy from the clerk’s office.
“a party with the right to access a sealed document in a case who requires a copy of a sealed document will have to contact the clerk’s office to request a paper copy.”
Other
For Chapter 13 cases effective April 1, 2026, the flat fee paid to debtor’s counsel is $5,500 for consumer cases and $5,700 for business cases.
“Effective April 1, 2026, the total flat fee amount paid to debtor’s counsel in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases shall increase to $5,500 for consumer cases and $5,700 for business cases.”