http://www.lasallecounty.com/files/CircuitCourtRules.pdf

Under these rules, the designated judge must order mediation of "any contested issue of parental responsibility, custody, visitation, guardianship, removal or access to children" unless the case is determined to be ineligible due to concerns about safety or competency. The case cannot proceed to a judicial hearing on permanent contested issues until the mediation process has been concluded. The rules call for the parties to select a mediator from the court's list of approved mediators. Mediator qualifications to be on this list are outlined. Mediation communications are to be confidential, with some limitations.