--- title: "Jack B. Schmetterer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-b-schmetterer-8796" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Jack B. Schmetterer U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois · U.S. Bankruptcy Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois - State: Illinois - Role: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Illinois, 1985-present - Judge Jack B. Schmetterer (1931–2021) was a pioneering U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, serving 36 years and becoming the court’s longest‐serving judge - Originally appointed in 1985 and served the court for 36 years, making him the longest-serving judge in the court’s history - Mentor, a public servant, and a community leader, often citing Justice Robert Jackson’s reminder that prosecutors must act with respect for constitutional safeguards ### Education ### Additional information - Appointed in 1985, Schmetterer was reappointed in 1999, recalled in 2012, and retired on September 30, 2021. - First appointed to the court on May 9, 1985, which was later extended by six months. - Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1931, Schmetterer graduated from Oak Park High School, earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1952, and his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1955. - The only thing that matters is whether you’re a decent person”. - Known for his precision, optimism, humor, and strong moral convictions. - He famously told fellow judge Eugene Wedoff, “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a liberal or a conservative. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### motion form Scope: courtwide Request an order by written motion unless the rules authorize an application or the request is made during a hearing. State the grounds with particularity and specify the requested relief or order. Evidence excerpt: A motion must state its grounds with particularity and set forth the relief or order requested. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### motion notice timing Scope: courtwide Unless a motion may be heard ex parte or another period applies, serve the written motion and hearing notice at least seven days before the hearing. Serve supporting affidavits with the motion. Evidence excerpt: A written motion (other than one that may be heard ex parte) and notice of any hearing must be served at least 7 days before the hearing date, unless the court or these rules set a different period. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### contested matter notice Scope: courtwide In a contested matter not otherwise governed by the bankruptcy rules, request relief by motion and give the opposing party reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. A response is required only if the court orders one. Evidence excerpt: Reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the party against whom relief is sought. No response is required unless the court orders otherwise. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### disputed fact testimony Scope: courtwide Present witness testimony on a disputed material factual issue in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A witness's testimony on a disputed material factual issue must be taken in the same manner as testimony in an adversary proceeding. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidentiary hearing notice Scope: courtwide Use the court's procedure to determine, reasonably before a scheduled hearing, whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. Evidence excerpt: The court must provide procedures that allow parties-at a reasonable time before a scheduled hearing-to determine whether it will be an evidentiary hearing at which witnesses may testify. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### evidence rules Scope: courtwide Prepare evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 43, 44, and 44.1, which apply in bankruptcy cases. Evidence excerpt: The Federal Rules of Evidence and Fed. R. Civ. P. 43, 44, and 44.1 apply in a bankruptcy case. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oath or affirmation Scope: courtwide A solemn affirmation may substitute when an oath is required. The national rule identifies the bankruptcy judge, clerk, deputy clerk, U.S. trustee, and other authorized officers as persons who may administer it. Evidence excerpt: If an oath is required, a solemn affirmation suffices. [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8796/jack-b-schmetterer/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8796/jack-b-schmetterer/) - [U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8796/jack-b-schmetterer/) - [Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-bankruptcy-procedure.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8796/jack-b-schmetterer/) - [Death of Judge Jack B. Schmetterer | Northern District of Illinois | United States Bankruptcy Court](https://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/news/death-judge-jack-b-schmetterer) - [Jack B. Schmetterer - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jack_B._Schmetterer) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-b-schmetterer-8796", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-b-schmetterer-8796", "name": "Jack B. Schmetterer | KnowJudges", "description": "Jack B. Schmetterer, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-b-schmetterer-8796#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-b-schmetterer-8796#judge", "name": "Jack B. 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