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. Known for complex commercial litigation, patent cases, and large class actions, NDIL has specific local rules including the notable L.R. 5.2(f) that prohibits protruding tabs on paper exhibits. 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
- 4Patent cases must follow NDIL Patent Local Rules (separate requirements)
- 5Check assigned judge's standing order - many have specific preferences
- 6Large exhibit sets may require separate exhibit binders for trial
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Related Court Guides
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