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Case TitleStevens v. United States Department of State
DistrictNorthern District of Illinois
CityChicago
Case Number1:2017cv02494
Date Filed2017-03-31
Date Closed2020-11-09
JudgeHonorable John Z. Lee
PlaintiffJacqueline Stevens
Case DescriptionJacqueline Stevens, a political science professor at Northwestern University, submitted three FOIA requests to the Department of State concerning the agency's help in setting up a Northwestern campus in Qatar as well as other U.S.-affiliated universities. She also requested records concerning USAID aid to the Center for Independent Journalists. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Stevens filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUnited States Department of State
AppealSeventh Circuit 20-3504
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Opinion/Order [70]
FOIA Project Annotation: A federal court in Illinois has ruled that with two exceptions the Department of State conducted an adequate search in response to Northwestern University political science professor Jacqueline Stevens' three FOIA requests for records concerning the agency's relationship with foreign campuses of American universities and properly withheld records under a variety of exemptions. The agency located and disclosed more than 500 pages with redactions. Stevens challenged the adequacy of the searches. The court rejected Stevens' allegations that the agency failed to search in all locations likely to have responsive records and that the agency did not use the search terms she provided. But the court agreed that the agency's searches of its Bureaus of Near Eastern Affairs and International Information Programs had only searched for the term "Northwestern University" rather than the broader "Northwestern." The court indicated that it "cannot say that the NEA's and IIP's searches were reasonably calculated to uncover responsive records. Tellingly, every other subdivision used 'Northwestern,' rather than 'Northwestern University,' as their primary search term." The agency withheld course materials under Exemption 4 (confidential business information). The court pointed out that the Supreme Court's recent decision, Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media, 139 S. Ct. 2356 (2019), held that confidentiality was determined based on whether a submitter customarily treated information as confidential and private. Applying that standard, the court pointed out that "although [the professor] distributes those documents to paying students, she does not make them available to the public."
Issues: Search - Reasonableness of search, Exemption 4 - Confidential business information
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-03-311COMPLAINT filed by Jacqueline Stevens. (ph, ) (Entered: 03/31/2017)
2017-03-312CIVIL Cover Sheet. (ph, ) (Entered: 03/31/2017)
2017-03-313PRO SE Appearance by Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens. (ph, ) (Entered: 03/31/2017)
2017-03-315SUMMONS Issued as to Defendant United States Department of State; U.S. Attorney General; U.S. Attorney. (ph, ) (Entered: 04/04/2017)
2017-04-13ALIAS Summons Issued as to Defendant United States Department of State. (ags, ) (Entered: 04/13/2017)
2017-04-136DESIGNATION of Alex Harms Hartzler as U.S. Attorney for Defendant United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 04/13/2017)
2017-04-19ALIAS Summons Issued as to Defendant United States Department of State, U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General (jn, ) (Entered: 04/19/2017)
2017-04-257MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State for extension of time to file answer (Unopposed) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 04/25/2017)
2017-04-258NOTICE of Motion by Alex Harms Hartzler for presentment of motion for extension of time to file answer 7 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 5/2/2017 at 09:00 AM. (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 04/25/2017)
2017-04-269MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Unopposed motion for extension of time to respond to the complaint until 5/10/17 7 is granted. Initial status hearing set for 5/24/17 at 9:00 a.m. The parties are directed to file an initial status report as set forth in the Judge's standing order four business days prior to the status hearing. No appearance is required on the motion.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 04/26/2017)
2017-05-0410RETURN of Service of summons returned executed on 4/24/2017 as to U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 U.S. Attorney) (kp, ) (Entered: 05/08/2017)
2017-05-0411SUMMONS Returned Executed by Jacqueline Stevens as to United States Department of State served on 4/25/2017, answer due 6/26/2017. (kp, ) (Entered: 05/08/2017)
2017-05-1012ANSWER to Complaint by United States Department of State(Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/10/2017)
2017-05-1813STATUS Report Joint Initial Status Report by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/18/2017)
2017-05-2414MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Status hearing held on 5/24/17. Plaintiff reports that the responses to the FOIA request are ongoing. Defense counsel reports that the documents will be produced on a rolling basis. All further deadlines in this case are stayed until 7/26/17. Status hearing set for 7/26/17 at 9:00 a.m.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 05/25/2017)
2017-07-2615MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: Status hearing held on 7/26/17. The defendant is continuing to provide documents to Plaintiff in response to her FOIA request. At the next status the government should report the timeframe for the production of the remaining documents. Status hearing set for 9/14/17 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 07/26/2017)
2017-08-2216MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: The status hearing set for 9/14/17 is reset to 9/20/17 at 9:15 a.m. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 08/22/2017)
2017-09-0817MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:By agreement of the parties, the status hearing set for 9/20/17 is reset to 10/3/17 at 9:00 a.m.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 09/08/2017)
2017-09-2918STATUS Report by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 09/29/2017)
2017-10-0319MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Status hearing held on 10/3/17. For the reasons stated, the Court exercises its discretion and sets a schedule for this case to proceed. Both parties state that no discovery is necessary for this case. Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment shall be due by 1/12/18. A status hearing is set for 1/24/18 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 10/03/2017)
2017-10-0320STATUS Report by Jacqueline Stevens. (pk, ) (Entered: 10/04/2017)
2017-10-0521MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: The status hearing set for 1/24/18 is reset to 1/30/18 at 9:00 a.m.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 10/05/2017)
2017-12-1222MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State to Amend Case Schedule (Unopposed) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 12/12/2017)
2017-12-1223NOTICE of Motion by Alex Harms Hartzler for presentment of motion for miscellaneous relief 22 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 12/19/2017 at 09:00 AM. (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 12/12/2017)
2017-12-1824MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: Unopposed motion to amend the case schedule 22 is granted. Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment deadline is stricken. The status hearing set for 1/30/18 is reset to 2/27/18 at 9:00 a.m. No appearance is required on the motion.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 12/18/2017)
2018-02-2725MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: Status hearing held on 2/27/18. The government's motion for summary judgment shall be due by 5/10/18; response due by 6/7/18; reply due by 6/28/18; ruling will be by mail. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 02/28/2018)
2018-05-0826ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens by Robert Andrew Free (Free, Robert) (Entered: 05/08/2018)
2018-05-0827MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State to Amend Briefing Schedule (Joint Motion) (Hartzler, Alex) Modified on 5/9/2018 (ek, ). (Entered: 05/08/2018)
2018-05-0828NOTICE of Motion by Alex Harms Hartzler for presentment of motion for miscellaneous relief 27 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 5/15/2018 at 09:00 AM. (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/08/2018)
2018-05-0929MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Joint motion to amend the briefing schedule 27 is granted. The government's motion for summary judgment shall be due by 5/17/18; cross motion and response are due by 6/14/18; reply in support and response are due by 7/12/18; Stevens reply in support shall be due by 8/2/18. No appearance is required on the motion.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 05/09/2018)
2018-05-1730MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State to Further Amend Briefing Schedule (Joint Motion) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/17/2018)
2018-05-1731NOTICE of Motion by Alex Harms Hartzler for presentment of motion for miscellaneous relief 30 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 5/24/2018 at 09:00 AM. (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/17/2018)
2018-05-1832MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Joint motion to further amend briefing schedule 30 is granted. The government's motion for summary judgment shall be due by 5/25/18; cross motion and response are due by 6/22/18; reply in support and response are due by 7/20/18; Stevens reply in support shall be due by 8/10/18. No appearance is required on the motion. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 05/18/2018)
2018-05-2533MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State for summary judgment (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/25/2018)
2018-05-2534MEMORANDUM by United States Department of State in support of motion for summary judgment 33 (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/25/2018)
2018-05-2535RULE 56 (Local Rule 56.1) Statement by United States Department of State regarding motion for summary judgment 33 (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/25/2018)
2018-06-2236MOTION by Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens for extension of time (unopposed, mutual 3-day briefing extension) (Free, Robert) (Entered: 06/22/2018)
2018-06-2537MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Plaintiff's unopposed motion for mutual three day briefing extension 36 is granted; cross motion and response are due by 6/25/18; reply in support and response are due by 7/23/18; Stevens reply in support shall be due by 8/13/18.No appearance is required on the motion.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 06/25/2018)
2018-06-2538MOTION by Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens for extension of time to file response/reply as to motion for summary judgment 33 (Free, Robert) (Entered: 06/25/2018)
2018-06-2639MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Plaintiff's motion for mutual briefing extension 38 is granted; cross motion and response are due by 6/29/18; reply in support and response are due by 7/27/18; Stevens reply in support shall be due by 8/17/18.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 06/26/2018)
2018-07-2740REPLY by Defendant United States Department of State to motion for summary judgment 33 (Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 07/27/2018)
2018-09-0441MOTION by Attorney R. ANDREW FREE to withdraw as attorney for Jacqueline Stevens. New address information: Jacqueline Stevens, 601 University Place, Second Fl, Evanston, IL 60208 (Attachments: # 1 Notification of Party Contact Information, # 2 Affidavit Declaration of Plaintiff Stevens, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Free, Robert) (Entered: 09/04/2018)
2018-09-0442NOTICE of Motion by Robert Andrew Free for presentment of motion to withdraw as attorney, 41 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 9/20/2018 at 09:00 AM. (Free, Robert) (Entered: 09/04/2018)
2018-09-2043MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: By agreement of the parties, the motion hearing 41 set for 9/20/18 is reset to 9/26/18 at 9:00 a.m.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 09/20/2018)
2018-09-2644MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: Motion hearing held on 9/26/18. Plaintiff's motion for leave to withdraw as counsel 41 is granted. Robert Andrew Free is granted leave to withdraw as counsel. Plaintiff's response to Defendant's motion for summary judgment 33 is now due by 11/7/18; reply due by 12/14/18; this is the final extension. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 09/26/2018)
2018-10-1745MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: In light of Plaintiff's counsel's withdrawal on 9/26/18, Defendant is directed to serve Plaintiff with Local Rule 56.2 Notice to Pro Se Litigants Opposing Summary Judgment. Service must be completed within three days. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 10/17/2018)
2018-10-1946Notice to Pro Se Litigant Opposing Motion for Summary Judgment by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 10/19/2018)
2018-11-0647RESPONSE by Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens to Defendant United States Department of State Statement of material facts not in dispute and Statement of facts that are in dispute 35 . (smm) (Entered: 11/07/2018)
2018-11-0648MEMORANDUM of Law by Jacqueline Stevens in Opposition to the State Department's motion for summary judgment 33 . (smm) (Entered: 11/07/2018)
2018-12-1349MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State to continue reply brief deadline (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 12/13/2018)
2018-12-1350NOTICE of Motion by Alex Harms Hartzler for presentment of motion to continue 49 before Honorable John Z. Lee on 12/20/2018 at 09:00 AM. (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 12/13/2018)
2018-12-2051MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Motion hearing held on 12/20/18. Motion to continue and stay the reply brief deadline 49 is granted in part and denied in part. Defendant's motion for summary judgment 33 is stricken without prejudice. The government should provide the Plaintiff with a letter detailing the extent of its search by 1/31/19. Status hearing set for 3/6/19 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 12/20/2018)
2018-12-2652GENERAL ORDER 18-0028 dated 12/26/18: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective December 26, 2018, that all civil litigation involving as a party the United States of America, is immediately suspended, postponed and held in abeyance continuing for a period of fourteen (14) days from the date of entry of this General Order (For Further Details See Attached Order). Signed by the Honorable Ruben Castillo on 12/26/2018: Mailed notice. (sm, ) (Entered: 12/30/2018)
2019-01-0853AMENDED GENERAL ORDER 18-0028 dated 01/08/2019: On December 26, 2018, General Order 18-0028 was entered. It appearing that the lapse of congressional appropriations funding the federal government continues, therefore General Order 18-0028 is now amended. (For Further Details See Attached Order). Signed by the Honorable Ruben Castillo on 1/8/2019: Mailed notice. (sm, ) (Entered: 01/08/2019)
2019-01-2854GENERAL ORDER 19-0004: RESETTING OF DEADLINES IN CIVIL MATTERS INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AS A PARTY. IT APPEARING THAT as a result of the partial federal government shutdown, this Court amended General Order 18-0028 suspending as of December 21, 2018, all civil litigation in which the United States of America, its agencies, its officers, or employees were parties, with the stated intention of clarifying schedules in such cases upon the expiration of the lapse in appropriations; and IT FURTHER APPEARING THAT appropriations having been restored to fund the Department of Justice and other Executive Branch agencies, with employees beginning to report for work beginning on January 28, 2019; accordingly IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the stay entered by General Order 18-0028 is hereby lifted, and any and all deadlines in the affected civil litigation (whether established by order, rule, or agreement.), including but not limited to any scheduled discovery and pleading dates, are extended by 42 days. (For Further Details See Attached Order). Signed by the Honorable Ruben Castillo on 1/28/2019: Mailed notice. (mgw, ) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-03-0455MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: By agreement of the parties, the status hearing set for 3/6/19 is reset to 3/12/19 at 9:00 a.m.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
2019-03-1256MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:Status hearing held on 3/12/19. The government reports that they anticipate producing the remaining documents by 4/5/19. The government's motion for summary judgment shall be due by 5/3/19; response due by 6/7/19; reply due by 6/28/19; ruling will be by mail. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 03/12/2019)
2019-05-0357MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State for summary judgment (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/03/2019)
2019-05-0358MEMORANDUM by United States Department of State in support of motion for summary judgment 57 (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/03/2019)
2019-05-0359RULE 56 56.1 Statement by United States Department of State regarding motion for summary judgment 57 (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/03/2019)
2019-05-0360RULE 56 56.2 Statement by United States Department of State regarding motion for summary judgment 57 (Notice to Pro Se Litigant Opposing Motion for Summary Judgment) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 05/03/2019)
2019-05-0961TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on 12/20/2018 before the Honorable John Z. Lee. Court Reporter Contact Information: Rosemary Scarpelli, Rosemary_Scarpelli@ilnd.uscourts.gov, (312)435-5885, on behalf of Alexandra Roth. IMPORTANT: The transcript may be viewed at the court's public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter/Transcriber or PACER. For further information on the redaction process, see the Court's web site at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov under Quick Links select Policy Regarding the Availability of Transcripts of Court Proceedings. Redaction Request due 5/30/2019. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/10/2019. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/7/2019. (Scarpelli, Rosemary) (Entered: 05/09/2019)
2019-05-1662ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Jacqueline Stevens by Nicolette Glazer (Glazer, Nicolette) (Entered: 05/16/2019)
2019-05-2063TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on 3/12/19 before the Honorable John Z. Lee. Court Reporter Contact Information: Joseph Rickhoff, 312-435-5562, joseph_rickhoff@ilnd.uscourts.gov. <P>IMPORTANT: The transcript may be viewed at the court's public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter/Transcriber or PACER. For further information on the redaction process, see the Court's web site at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov under Quick Links select Policy Regarding the Availability of Transcripts of Court Proceedings.</P> Redaction Request due 6/10/2019. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/20/2019. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/19/2019. (Rickhoff, Joseph) (Entered: 05/20/2019)
2019-06-0764RESPONSE by Jacqueline Stevensin Opposition to MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State for summary judgment 57 (Attachments: # 1 Appendix Declaration in Support of Response, # 2 Exhibit A Transcript, # 3 Exhibit B 3-19 Letter, # 4 Exhibit C 3/3/19 correspondence, # 5 Exhibit D Transcript, # 6 Exhibit E 8/18/17 Email, # 7 Exhibit F 2/5/18 email, # 8 Exhibit G 2/22/18 email, # 9 Exhibit H 12/20/18 email, # 10 Exhibit I correspondence)(Glazer, Nicolette) (Entered: 06/07/2019)
2019-06-0765RULE 56 c Statement by Jacqueline Stevens regarding motion for summary judgment 57 (Glazer, Nicolette) (Entered: 06/07/2019)
2019-06-2866REPLY by United States Department of State to response in opposition to motion,, 64 (Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2019-06-2867RESPONSE by Defendant United States Department of State to Rule 56 statement 65 (Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Statement of Additional Facts) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2020-03-1668ORDER Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY Signed by the Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on March 16, 2020. All open cases are impacted by this Amended General Order. See attached Order for guidance.Signed by the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on 3/16/2020: Mailed notice. (pj, ) (Entered: 03/17/2020)
2020-03-2369MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: For the reasons stated in the memorandum opinion and order, the Department's motion for summary judgment is granted in part and denied in part. As explained, the Department is directed to perform supplemental searches of the NEA's and IIP's databases and to provide Stevens and the Court with a letter detailing the results of those searches by June 22, 2020. To address any remaining issues regarding these supplemental searches, the Court sets a status hearing for 7/1/20 at 9:00 a.m. [For further details see memorandum opinion and order]. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 03/23/2020)
2020-03-2370MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order Signed by the Honorable John Z. Lee on 3/23/20.Mailed notice(ca, ) (Entered: 03/23/2020)
2020-03-3071ORDER Seconded Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY Signed by the Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on March 30, 2020. All open cases are impacted by this Second Amended General Order. Amended General Order 20-0012, entered on March 17, 2020, and General Order 20-0014, entered on March 20, 2020, are vacated and superseded by this Second Amended General. See attached Order for guidance.Signed by the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on 3/30/2020: Mailed notice. (docket3, ) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
2020-04-2472ORDER Third Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY Signed by the Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on April 24, 2020. All open cases are impacted by this Third Amended General Order. Parties are must carefully review all obligations under this Order, including the requirement listed in paragraph number 5 to file a joint written status report in most civil cases. See attached Order. Signed by the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on 4/24/2020: Mailed notice. (docket1, ) (Entered: 04/27/2020)
2020-05-2673ORDER ORDER Fourth Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY Signed by the Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on May 26, 2020. This Order does not extend or modify any deadlines set in civil cases. For non-emergency motions, no motion may be noticed for presentment on a date earlier than July 15, 2020. See attached Order. Signed by the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on 5/26/2020: Mailed notice. (docket1, ) (Entered: 05/26/2020)
2020-06-2274MOTION by Defendant United States Department of State for extension of time (Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time) (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-2375MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: Defendant's unopposed motion for extension of time 74 is granted. Defendant is given until July 22, 2020: (1) to produce the responsive records that have been found by searching the unclassified records in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and International Information Programs for the term "Northwestern"; and (2) to provide a status report on the likely amount of time needed to search the same components' classified records using the same search term and review, process, and produce and responsive records. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-06-3076MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: The status hearing set for 7/1/20 is reset to a telephone conference for 8/10/20 at 9:45 a.m. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related General Orders, the Court finds that it is necessary to conduct the status hearing via telephone conference. The call-in number is 888-273-3658 and the access code is 1637578. Counsel of record will receive a separate email at least 12 hours prior to the start of the telephonic hearing with instructions on how to join the call. All persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in court-imposed sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. All participants should review the Court's standing order regarding telephone conferences that is on Judge Lee's website, which can be found at: https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/judge-info.aspx?4Qf5zc8loCI5U7rfMP9DHw==. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 06/30/2020)
2020-07-1077ORDER Fifth Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PUBLIC EMERGENCY Signed by the Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on July 10, 2020. This Order does not extend or modify any deadlines set in civil cases. No motions may be noticed for in-person presentment; the presiding judge will notify parties of the need, if any, for a hearing by electronic means or in-court proceeding. See attached Order. Signed by the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on 7/10/2020: Mailed notice. (Clerk3, Docket) (Entered: 07/10/2020)
2020-07-2278STATUS Report by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 07/22/2020)
2020-07-2379MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: The Court orders the parties to file a joint written status report by 8/23/20. The report, which shall be as concise as possible, shall set forth: (1) the current deadlines imposed by the Court and whether the matter has been referred to the Magistrate Judge in any fashion (e.g., for discovery supervision; for resolution of a motion; for settlement; etc.); (2) the progress of discovery, if discovery is ongoing; (3) the status of briefing on unresolved motions, if any; (4) whether the parties have engaged or are engaging in settlement discussions and the status of those discussions; (5) for cases without any future court dates, an agreed proposed schedule; (6) for cases that have future court dates and if the parties believe there is good cause to extend the current deadlines, a proposed amended schedule and the basis for the request; (7) a request for any agreed action that the Court can take without a hearing; (8) and whether the parties believe a telephonic hearing or in-person hearing is necessary within the next 60 days, and, if so, the issue(s) that warrants discussion and the parties' respective positions. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-08-0780MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:In light of the 7/23/20 order. The status hearing set for 8/10/20 is stricken.Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 08/07/2020)
2020-08-2081STATUS Report (Joint Status Report) by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 08/20/2020)
2020-08-2182MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:The Court orders the parties to file a joint written status report by 10/5/20. The report, which shall be as concise as possible, shall set forth: (1) the current deadlines imposed by the Court and whether the matter has been referred to the Magistrate Judge in any fashion (e,g., for discovery supervision; for resolution of a motion; for settlement; etc.); (2) the progress of discovery, if discovery is ongoing; (3) the status of briefing on unresolved motions, if any; (4) whether the parties have engaged or are engaging in settlement discussions and the status of those discussions; (5) for cases without any future court dates, an agreed proposed schedule; (6) for cases that have future court dates and if the parties believe there is good cause to extend the current deadlines, a proposed amended schedule and the basis for the request; (7) a request for any agreed action that the Court can take without a hearing; (8) and whether the parties believe a telephonic hearing or in-person hearing is necessary within the next 60 days, and, if so, the issue(s) that warrants discussion and the parties' respective positions. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
2020-10-0583STATUS Report (Joint Status Report) by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 10/05/2020)
2020-10-0684MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee:The Court has reviewed the status report. In accordance with the parties' request, the Court orders the parties to file a joint written status report by 11/7/20. The report, which shall be as concise as possible, shall set forth: (1) the current deadlines imposed by the Court and whether the matter has been referred to the Magistrate Judge in any fashion (e,g., for discovery supervision; for resolution of a motion; for settlement; etc.); (2) the progress of discovery, if discovery is ongoing; (3) the status of briefing on unresolved motions, if any; (4) whether the parties have engaged or are engaging in settlement discussions and the status of those discussions; (5) for cases without any future court dates, an agreed proposed schedule; (6) for cases that have future court dates and if the parties believe there is good cause to extend the current deadlines, a proposed amended schedule and the basis for the request; (7) a request for any agreed action that the Court can take without a hearing; (8) and whether the parties believe a telephonic hearing or in-person hearing is necessary within the next 60 days, and, if so, the issue(s) that warrants discussion and the parties' respective positions. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 10/06/2020)
2020-11-0585STATUS Report (Joint Status Report) by United States Department of State (Hartzler, Alex) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-11-0986MINUTE entry before the Honorable John Z. Lee: The Court has reviewed the status report. On 3/23/20, the Court granted Defendant's motion for summary judgment in part and denied it in part. The parties inform the Court in the status report that the remaining issues have been resolved and request that the Court enter judgment in accordance with the order. Accordingly, judgment is entered in favor of Defendant and against Plaintiff for the reasons stated in the Court's order of 3/23/20. 70 Civil case terminated. Mailed notice (ca, ) (Entered: 11/09/2020)
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