Temporary Restraining Orders and Preliminary Injunctions

• Author: Jennifer Duncan-Brice
• Pages: 769-810

16-1 (Rev. 12, 9/16)

Chapter 16

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING

ORDERS AND PRELIMINARY

INJUNCTIONS

QUICK VIEW

Definitions: A temporary restraining order (TRO) is an emergency remedy issued to maintain the status quo

until a hearing can be held on application for a preliminary injunction (PI). A PI is a provisional remedy

granted to preserve the status quo pending a hearing on the merits of the case.

Scope of Chapter: Grounds for TROs and PIs; procedures to obtain and oppose TROs and PIs;

dissolution; appeal; damages for wrong issuance; enforcement by contempt; and specific subjects of

injunction actions.

Strategies and Tactics: Counsel should devote just as much preparation to hearings on temporary matters

as to trial on the merits. TROs and PIs are not intended as a substitute for a trial on the merits but they

sometimes have that effect. And the ruling may create interim hardships for the losing party and have a

significant effect on the range of settlement offers.

Statutes and Rules: 735 ILCS §§5/11-101—5/11-110; SCR 307.

Related Topics: Motion Practice, Ch 14; Forum Selection: Venue, Forum non Conveniens, and Removal,

Ch 8; Parties, Ch 12.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Overview

§16:01 Types of Injunction

§16:02 Temporary Restraining Order

§16:03 Preliminary Injunction (PI)

§16:04 Permanent Injunction

§16:05 Status Quo Defined

§16:06 Actions in Which Injunctions Are Allowed

§16:07 Injunctions May Be Either Prohibitive or Mandatory

ILLINO IS PRETR IAL PRAC TICE 16-2

§16:08 Issues of Comity

§16:09 Enjoin Litigation

II. Grounds For Temporary Injunctive Relief

§16:20 Grounds

§16:21 Exception for Express Statutory Authorization

§16:22 Clearly Ascertainable Right

§16:23 Irreparable Injury

§16:24 Injury Must Be Actual, Impending, or Continuing

§16:25 Injury Must Be Substantial

§16:26 Lack of Adequate Remedy at Law

§16:27 Likelihood of Success on The Merits

§16:28 Balance of Equities

§16:29 No Balancing Where Statute Violation

III. Defenses to Temporary Injunctive Relief

§16:40 Hardship to Third Parties

§16:41 Issue Moot

§16:42 Harm to Public Interest

§16:43 Unclean Hands

§16:44 Ripeness

§16:45 Laches

§16:46 Delay in Seeking Injunction

§16:47 Motions Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-619

IV. Actions for Temporary Injunctive Relief

A. Jurisdiction and Venue

§16:60 Subject Matter Jurisdiction

§16:61 Check Venue

B. Parties

§16:70 Plaintiffs

§16:71 Defendants

§16:72 Personal Jurisdiction

C. TRO Procedure

1. OBTAINING A TRO

§16:80 Checklist for TRO

§16:81 Prepare and File Complaint

§16:82 Prepare Motion

§16:83 Affidavits Required When No Notice Given

§16:84 Affidavits Required When Notice Given

§16:85 Affidavits Required to Obtain TRO on Weekend or Holiday

§16:86 File Complaint and Obtain Assignment to Trial Judge

16-3 TEMPOR ARY RESTRA INING OR DERS AND PRELIM INARY INJ UNCTION S

(Rev. 12, 9/16)

§16:87 Request Time for Hearing

2. NOTICE

§16:100 Special Requirements for TRO Without Notice

§16:101 Notice to Defendant

3. OPPOSITION TO TRO

§16:110 Prepare Opposition Papers

§16:111 Appear at Hearing

4. HEARING

§16:120 TRO Hearing

§16:121 Court Reporter

§16:122 Conduct of Hearing — No Notice

§16:123 Conduct of Hearing — Notice Given

5. ORDER

§16:130 TRO Order

§16:131 Bond

§16:132 Filing of Order

§16:133 Duration of TRO

§16:134 Service of TRO on Defendant

§16:135 Return of Service

§16:136 Specifics of Order

D. PI Procedure

1. OBTAINING A PI

§16:140 Checklist for a PI

§16:141 Prepare and File Complaint

§16:142 Prepare Motion

§16:143 Prepare Affidavits

§16:144 Setting PI Hearing

2. NOTICE

§16:150 Required Notice to Defendant

3. OPPOSITION TO PI

§16:160 File Answer

§16:161 Defendant’s Affidavits and Evidence

§16:162 Appear at Hearing

4. HEARING

§16:170 Court Reporter

§16:171 PI Hearing

5. ORDER

§16:180 Order

§16:181 Bond

§16:182 Who Is Bound

E. Bonds

§16:190 Bond Requirement

§16:191 Court’s Discretion