The local rules for Illinois' 2nd Judicial Circuit cover Illinois' Edwards, Crawford, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties. These rules outline the procedures for various programs in the court including the court's civil mediation program as well as the judicial and non-judicial mediation of family disputes.
Rule 19: Mandates that judges shall conduct a settlement conference in dissolution of marriage cases where child custody, visitation, removal and other non-economic issues related to children are contested.
Rule 21: Lays out procedures for the court's judicial and non-judicial family mediation program. Parties will only be referred to judicial mediation if they are unable to, without substantial hardship, afford private mediation fees. The rule applies to all contested custody, visitation, and removal cases.
Rule 23: Addresses the court's Civil Mediation Program. The rule also lays out mediator qualifications.