Referral by Judge or Stipulation. Except as hereinafter provided, the Judge to whom a matter is assigned may order any contested civil matter referred to mediation. In addition, the parties to any such matter may file a written stipulation to mediate any issue between them at any time. Such stipulation shall be incorporated into the Order of Referral.
Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Lake Cnty. 7-3.02