Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 118 rules apply across Circuit Court of Cook County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Communication

All 59
  • Contact
    Email

    Questions, comments, or concerns about the eFileIL e-filing system should be directed to Tyler Technologies at efiling.support@tylertech.com.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Courtesy copies for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to daniel.degnan@cookcountyil.gov.

  • Contact
    Phone to chambers
    Phone
    (312) 603-5943

    Judge Daniel R. Degnan's chambers phone number is (312) 603-5943.

Filing Timing

All 12
  • Deadline
    60 calendar days

    Attorney fee petitions for court-appointed attorneys must be filed within 60 days after final order or 6 months after service/cost, whichever is earlier.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Guardianship agreed order requests must be filed and submitted 2-5 business days prior to the scheduled court date.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Guardians must email annual reports and guardian training certificates in PDF format, one email per case, 2-5 business days prior to assigned court date.

Filing Requirements

All 11
  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    Chancery Division complaints must include specific caption designations based on the relief sought.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    caption

    Motions to correct errors in criminal cases must be in writing, accompanied by affidavit, and notice must be served on the prosecution.

  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    All initiating papers must include the court name and department/division/district in the caption; small claims complaints must be endorsed 'Small Claims'.

E-Filing

All 9
  • Applies to
    Civil case filing

    E-filing is mandatory for all Cook County civil cases through the eFileIL system as of July 1, 2018, except Quasi-Criminal, Housing, and Wills cases.

  • Applies to
    Verified status report

    Attorneys must e-file a verified status report via Odyssey system before submitting decedent's estate agreed order requests.

  • Attorneys must maintain accurate email address in Odyssey e-filing system and be filed as attorney of record to receive entered orders via email.

About Judge Catherine A. Schneider

Catherine A. Schneider is a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County. The judge sits in a district of the court, which handles general trial matters.

The judge's published procedures include a standing order for County Calendar 5, effective August 5, 2025.

Common questions about Judge Catherine A. Schneider's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: delivery no less than three business days before motion hearing, by email. Motion courtesy copies must be emailed to chambers at least three business days before the hearing, with a required subject line.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

Judge Catherine A. Schneider's rule states these limits: attorney: 15 pages; attorney: 15 pages; attorney: 7 pages. Excludes exhibits. Briefs and responsive briefs are limited to 15 pages, and reply briefs to 7 pages, both excluding exhibits and double-spaced.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Briefs

What must be included with discovery motion filings before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

The rule requires certificate of conference. Discovery motions must include proof of compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 201(k).

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions

What must be included with notice or order filings before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Any notice or order that sets a court date on Calendar 5 must include both the Courtroom location and the Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Remote Access to Court Proceedings in 1706 (Zoom)

How may parties contact Judge Catherine A. Schneider's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. Every communication with the court or court staff must include all parties of record.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Remote Access to Court Proceedings in 1706 (Zoom)

Is electronic filing required before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Motions and notices of motion must be e-filed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

The rule states a close of business filing cutoff. Draft orders reflecting the court's rulings must be submitted to the Court by the close of business on the same day.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Draft Orders

What rule applies to serving all parties before Judge Catherine A. Schneider?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. Motions and notices of motion must be served on every party who has filed an appearance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Catherine A. Schneider

Any notice or order that sets a court date on Calendar 5 must include both the Courtroom location and the Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

Orders setting trials, evidentiary hearings, pre-trial conferences, or settlement conferences must specify whether the proceeding is in person, remote, or hybrid.

Every communication with the court or court staff must include all parties of record.

Motions and notices of motion must be e-filed.

Motions and notices of motion must be served on every party who has filed an appearance.

Motion courtesy copies must be emailed to chambers at least three business days before the hearing, with a required subject line.

Discovery motions must include proof of compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 201(k).

Draft orders reflecting the court's rulings must be submitted to the Court by the close of business on the same day.

Parties may email the deputy clerk in Room 1706 to inquire about the status of entered orders.

Agreed orders must be marked with the label “Agreed”.

Agreed orders may be submitted either to the Calendar 5 bin in Room 1701 or by email to Judge Schneider.

Briefs and responsive briefs are limited to 15 pages, and reply briefs to 7 pages, both excluding exhibits and double-spaced.

The movant must supply courtesy copies of all briefs and exhibits to Judge Schneider on the briefing order due date.

Briefs must be submitted electronically by email.

Adoption inquiries should be directed to Adoption Coordinator Gloria Contreras by email or phone.

Scheduling and procedure questions may be directed to Court Coordinator Kelly Wright by email or phone.

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