10 B 42783

Debtor filed a motion seeking sanctions pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(k), after the Respondent attended and continued a civil contempt status hearing in the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County after she was given notice that the Debtor had filed for Chapter 13 relief under the Bankruptcy Code. The court found that the Respondent’s action in attending and continuing the status hearing to a later date was a willful violation of the automatic stay. The court also found that an oral settlement agreement that the Debtor would receive $5,000 for damages and attorneys' fees for the Respondent’s violation of the automatic stay was binding under Illinois law.