(a) Court Environs Defined. For the purpose of this rule the term "court environs" shall refer to
the following areas:
(1) in Chicago in the United States Courthouse:
(A) the 6th through the 8th floors, and the 10th through the 25th floors, including;
(B) the central jury assembly lounge, south elevator banks, and corridors leading from one to the
other on the 2nd floor; and,
(C) the 1st floor except for the Designated Media Area;
(2) in Chicago, but not in the United States Courthouse, the Probation Offices located at 230 S.
Dearborn Street;
(3) in the Eastern Division, but not in Chicago, the immediate area surrounding the courtroom on
the 2nd floor of the Joliet City Hall; and,
(4) in Rockford in the United States Courthouse:
(A) the entire 2nd, 5th and 6th floors;
(B) the lobby and 1st floor areas to include the Bankruptcy Court clerk’s office, the offices of
Probation and Pretrial Services, and the public corridors immediately adjacent to those offices;
(C) the 3rd floor courtrooms, the mediation rooms, the 4th floor chambers, and the corridors
immediately adjacent to those spaces.
(b) Demonstrating, Soliciting & Loitering Prohibited. Soliciting and loitering within the court
environs is prohibited. The unapproved congregating of groups or the causing of a disturbance or
nuisance within or on the curtilage of the courthouses of this Court is prohibited. Demonstrating,
protesting, picketing or parading outside of the courthouses of this Court is prohibited only when
such action obstructs or impedes the orderly administration of justice.
(1) In Chicago, the designated Freedom of Speech and Expression area is the Federal Plaza, located
at the southwest corner of Adams and Dearborn Streets. The General Services Administration
maintains this area and may require special permitting.
(2) In Rockford, the designated Freedom of Speech and Expression area is public space located at
the corner of South Church and Cedar Streets. The General Services Administration maintains this
area and may require special permitting.
(c) No Cameras or Recorders. Except as provided for in an Order of the Court, direction of the
Chief Judge, or the United States Marshal, the taking of photographs, video, radio and television
broadcasting, or taping in the court environs during the progress of or in connection with any
judicial proceeding, whether or not court is actually in session, is prohibited.
(d) Marshal to Enforce. The United States Marshal shall enforce sections (b) and (c) of this rule,
either by ejecting violators from the courthouse or by causing them to appear before one of the
judges of this Court for a hearing and the imposition of such punishment as the Court may deem
proper.
Amended November 2, 2010, June 8, 2011, January 31, 2012, June 29, 2012, May 27, 2016,
March 22, 2019
