Arbitration Center

What is Arbitration? 

In Illinois, court-annexed arbitration is a mandatory, non-binding, non-court procedure designed to resolve civil disputes by utilizing a neutral third party, called an arbitration panel. Mandatory arbitration applies rules of evidence and procedure which are less formal than those followed in trial courts and usually leads to more timely and less expensive resolution of disputes. An arbitration panel can recommend, but not impose, a decision. In the exercise of its general administrative and supervisory authority over Illinois courts, Illinois Supreme Court Rules 86-95 prescribe actions which are subject to mandatory arbitration. The rules address a range of operational procedures including: appointment, qualifications, and compensation of arbitrators; scheduling of hearings; discovery process; conduct of hearings; absence of a party; award and judgment on an award; rejection of an award; and form of oath, award and notice of award.   

How are hearings scheduled?

All first return hearings are scheduled through the circuit clerk’s office (a “first return hearing” is the first hearing you will have after filing your case, sometime also called a “pre-trial”).   You will be given your first hearing date when the Summons is issued.  No contested matters will be heard at the first return hearing.  The purpose of the return hearing is to see whether the Defendant has been served and, if so, appears to contest or dispute the case.   If both parties appear and cannot agree to resolve or settle the case, the matter will be set for a hearing on any pending pre-arbitration Motions filed in the case.  If no Motions are pending, the case may be scheduled for Arbitration (see below).

All contested hearings (i.e., hearings on pre-arbitration motions) are scheduled through Court Administration on the Small Claims calendar.  The Judge will schedule these hearings from the bench and inform the parties/attorneys of the new trial or hearing date.

Arbitration scheduling:  All Arbitrations are scheduled through Court Administration.   The parties must obtain court approval prior to scheduling the Arbitration.  

Can I appear by Zoom?

First return and status hearings:

Parties may appear by Zoom without prior court approval for any return hearing or status hearing.   Parties can attend remotely by clicking the Zoom link.  NOTE: you are joining a courtroom proceeding.  Please dress appropriately while attending by Zoom, just as you would when attending court in person.  Failure to do so will result in you being removed from the Zoom and the judge proceeding in your absence.  You must have your video connected (no telephone calls into Zoom) and your full name (first and last) listed when you join.  If you do not have video or your full name listed, you will not be allowed to enter and the court will proceed in your absence.  

Helpful Zoom Information and Videos:

How to join Zoom on an iPhone: Zoom on Your Phone: Joining with Zoom iPhone App (2021) (youtube.com)

How to join Zoom on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook: How Do I Join a Zoom Meeting? Tutorial Video 614 (youtube.com) or (4147) Join a Zoom Meeting - YouTube

How to change your name when joining Zoom: How to CHANGE Your Name in Zoom! (youtube.com)

Contested arbitration hearings:

Zoom appearances are allowed for contested arbitration hearings without prior court approval and are preferred by the arbitrators. However, you must contact Court Administration at least 3 days prior to the hearing to get the Zoom link. This Zoom link will be different from the link you may have used for a previous status hearing. If you fail to request a Zoom link from Court Administration, you will be expected to appear in person for the arbitration hearing at the Arbitration Center, located at 1617 2nd Avenue, Suite 100, Rock Island, IL 61201. NOTE: you are joining a courtroom proceeding.  Please dress appropriately while attending by Zoom, just as you would when attending court in person.  Failure to do so will result in you being removed from the Zoom and the judge proceeding in your absence.  You must have your video connected (no telephone calls into Zoom) and your full name (first and last) listed when you join.  If you do not have video or your full name listed, you will not be allowed to enter and the court will proceed in your absence.  

Helpful Zoom Information and Videos:

How to join Zoom on an iPhone: Zoom on Your Phone: Joining with Zoom iPhone App (2021) (youtube.com)

How to join Zoom on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook: How Do I Join a Zoom Meeting? Tutorial Video 614 (youtube.com) or (4147) Join a Zoom Meeting - YouTube

How to change your name when joining Zoom: How to CHANGE Your Name in Zoom! (youtube.com)

Contested trial on a Rejection of Award:

If a party has filed a Rejection of Award within 30 days of the Arbitration Award, and paid the appropriate rejection fee, a trial will be scheduled before a judge. Zoom appearances are not allowed for this contested trial without prior court approval. Unless a judge grants you special permission, you and your witnesses must appear in person for a contested trial.  If you want to appear by Zoom, or want a witness to appear by Zoom, you must submit a Motion to Appear by Zoom fourteen (14) days before your court date.  See Administrative Order for more information.  You must provide the other party or attorney with a copy of your Motion and schedule a hearing on your Motion.  These Motion hearings may be scheduled during the Friday first return court call (see above: When are hearings scheduled?).  At the hearing, the judge will decide whether you (or a witness) may appear by Zoom at the contested hearing.   

Forms to file a Motion can be found on the Illinois Supreme Court website: Approved Standardized Statewide Forms | Illinois Courts

For more information on virtual hearings, see also: Amended Administrative Order on Remote Appearances and Procedures