Northern District of Illinois Exhibit Requirements
The Northern District of Illinois (NDIL), headquartered in Chicago at the Dirksen Federal Building, is one of the busiest federal courts. Its local rule on binding and tabs provides that a paper original shall not have protruding tabs. The district emphasizes electronic filing and has detailed exhibit organization requirements.
- The Northern District of Illinois's primary exhibit rule is Local Rule 5.2(f), LR 26.2.
- Plaintiffs in the Northern District of Illinois mark exhibits PX 1, PX 2, PX 3....
- Defendants in the Northern District of Illinois mark exhibits DX 1, DX 2, DX 3....
- The Northern District of Illinois accepts e-filings through CM/ECF (PACER), with a limit of 50 MB per document.
- Exhibits in the Northern District of Illinois are exchanged per Final Pretrial Order.
- The Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) sits within the Seventh Circuit.
- ExhibitPrep applies NDIL exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the attorney's computer.
Quick Reference
| E-Filing System | CM/ECF (PACER) |
| File Size Limit | 50 MB per document |
| Plaintiff Marking | PX 1, PX 2, PX 3... |
| Defendant Marking | DX 1, DX 2, DX 3... |
| Exchange Deadline | Per Final Pretrial Order |
| Primary Rule | Local Rule 5.2(f), LR 26.2 |
What This Guide Covers
Divisions & Courthouses
Eastern Division (Chicago)
- •Dirksen Federal Building - main courthouse
- •Highest case volume
- •Complex commercial litigation
- •Patent and class action hub
Western Division (Rockford)
- •Handles northern Illinois counties
- •Stanley J. Roszkowski Courthouse
- •Same local rules as Eastern Division
Judge-Specific Practices
NDIL judges have individual Standing Orders that can modify or supplement the Local Rules. Many Chicago judges have developed specific exhibit handling preferences, particularly for complex cases. Before any filing, review the assigned judge's Standing Order on the court website. For patent cases, also review the assigned judge's Patent Standing Order.
Pro Tips for NDIL
- 1NO protruding tabs on paper exhibits (L.R. 5.2(f)) - use flush tabs or labels
- 2NDIL has a generous 50 MB file size limit for ECF
- 3Follow the Final Pretrial Order format precisely for exhibit lists
- 4Utility-patent cases in the Northern District of Illinois are governed by the court's Local Patent Rules, which cover claims of infringement, non-infringement, invalidity or unenforceability.
- 5Check assigned judge's standing order - many have specific preferences
- 6Large exhibit sets may need to be divided into separate exhibit binders; check the trial judge's orders.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
NDIL Exhibit FAQ
Can exhibit tabs protrude from paper exhibits in NDIL?
No. The Northern District of Illinois local rule on binding and tabs provides that a paper original shall not have protruding tabs, and tabs are indicated on a single sheet placed before the exhibit.
What is the CM/ECF file size limit in the Northern District of Illinois?
The Northern District of Illinois limits electronically filed documents to 35 megabytes in size, applied to each individual component of a filing rather than the entire filing.
How are exhibits numbered in NDIL?
NDIL uses "PX 1, PX 2, PX 3" for plaintiff exhibits and "DX 1, DX 2, DX 3" for defendant exhibits, following LR 26.2 disclosure requirements.
Which divisions make up the Northern District of Illinois?
NDIL has an Eastern Division in Chicago (Dirksen Federal Building, the highest-volume courthouse for commercial, patent, and class action cases) and a Western Division in Rockford (Stanley J. Roszkowski Courthouse), both applying the same local rules.
When must exhibits be exchanged in NDIL civil cases?
Exhibit exchange and exhibit list format are typically set by the Final Pretrial Order in each case, so follow it closely.
Related Court Guides
Try It Free
Stamp, organize, and download NDIL exhibits for filing review—a typical bundle in under two minutes.
Loading transcript…
Ready to Prepare Your Exhibits?
ExhibitPrep creates professional, NDIL exhibits for filing review in minutes. Preview free, purchase when you're ready to save.
Try It Free →