Illinois

District Court Limits Bankruptcy Judges’ Ability to Enact Local Rules

Local rules may not impose confirmation requirements beyond those contained in the statute.

Circuits Split on Trustee’s Ability to Extend the Dischargeability Deadline

A motion extending the dischargeability deadline does not require personal service on the debtor, Chicago judge rules.

Chicago Judge Refuses to Confirm a ‘Step’ Chapter 13 Plan

Judge Barnes won’t allow a chapter 13 debtor’s counsel to be paid at the expense of secured creditors.

Major Automatic Stay Issue Inches Toward the Supreme Court

Chicago parking ticket cases to be resolved in the Seventh Circuit.

Chicago District Judge Reestablishes Chapter 13 Debt Limits on Student Loans

Debtors with too much student loan debt are functionally ineligible for any form of bankruptcy relief.

Judges Split on Denial of Chapter 13 Discharge for Missing Direct Mortgage Payments

Illinois judges disagree on whether direct payments to a mortgagee are “under the plan” and must be made in full to obtain a chapter 13 discharge.

Chicago Must Return Impounded Cars Immediately After a Chapter 13 Filing

Judge Thorne rules that exceptions to the automatic stay do not allow the City of Chicago to retain possession of impounded cars.

Bankruptcy Judge Can Enter Final Judgment after a Fraudulent Transfer Bench Trial

The payee of a check isn’t necessarily the transferee of a fraudulent transfer, Chicago judge says.

Parties to a Civil Union Held Eligible to File a Joint Petition

Chicago judge takes stand for the equality of same-sex couples.

Bankruptcy Judge Predicts Circuit Split on Substantive Consolidation with Nondebtors

Seventh Circuit is averse to creating remedies under Section 105, Bankruptcy Judge Hollis says.