I. THE USE OF REMOTE PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL PRACTICE -

The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on civil litigation in Illinois, particularly by increasing the use of remote proceedings in Illinois circuit courts.

A. RULE 45 ENCOURAGES CONTINUED USE OF REMOTE PROCEEDINGS -

In 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court codified a new Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45—previously amended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic—and expanded the use of remote appearances in circuit court proceedings.

Generally speaking, under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 (hereinafter all Illinois Supreme Court Rules referred to as “Rules”), previously called “Participation in Civil or Criminal Proceedings by Telephone or Videoconferences” and now titled “Remote Appearances in Civil Court Proceedings,” case participants in civil matters are permitted to attend court remotely without any advance approval. See Ill. S. Ct. R. 45(c). “Case participant[s]” include not only the attorneys and litigants, but also the judge, witnesses, experts, interpreters, treatment providers, law enforcement officers, court reporters, and others. Ill. S. Ct. R. 45(a)...