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 James E. Hanlon Jr.

Judge James E. Hanlon Jr. is a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Illinois trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County.

The published procedures include fillable forms for recusal/transfer, arbitration referral, and dismissal orders, plus a prove-up checklist. Also available are briefing schedule and case management order templates.

Common questions about Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for movant filers. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. Movant must email courtesy copies of all briefs to law.calncc@cookcountyil.gov; subject line includes case info; original brief in Word format; exhibits in PDF.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes - E-mail Courtesy Copies

Does Judge James E. Hanlon Jr. require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s rules set a pre-motion procedure for arbitration. All arbitration-related motions must be presented to the Supervising Judge of the Commercial Calendar Mandatory Arbitration Program.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Order of Referral to Commercial Mandatory Arbitration

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s rule states these limits: attorney: 15 pages; attorney: 7 pages. Excludes exhibits. Motions and briefs limited to 15 pages (support/opposition) and 7 pages (reply), excluding exhibits.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Order Form

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s formatting rule includes file format docx. Original brief must be submitted in Word format (.docx or .doc).

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes - E-mail Courtesy Copies

What must be included with proof of notice filings before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Plaintiff must provide proof of notice of the prove-up date to the defaulting defendant.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Prove-Up Checklist

What must be included with complaint filings before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

The rule requires exhibit list. The complaint, with its exhibits, must be filed for the prove-up hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Prove-Up Checklist

How may parties contact Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.'s chambers. The rule lists phone 312-603-4804. Contact case coordinator at 312-603-4804 for scheduling modifications.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes - Modification to Briefing Schedule

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Continuances of trial are rarely granted and only for good cause such as serious illness or death.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

Does Judge James E. Hanlon Jr. require motion papers to be bundled?

No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Sur-replies are not permitted.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes - Length of Briefs and Motions

Is electronic filing required before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed agreed orders must be submitted via email in Microsoft Word format, not filed, with all parties copied, and followed by a phone call to the case coordinator.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Explanatory Notes

What rule applies to service for complaint before Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. At the prove-up hearing, plaintiff must provide proof of service of the complaint.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Prove-Up Checklist
Complete rules summary for Judge James E. Hanlon Jr.

At the prove-up hearing, plaintiff must provide proof of service of the complaint.

Plaintiff must provide proof of notice of the prove-up date to the defaulting defendant.

The complaint, with its exhibits, must be filed for the prove-up hearing.

A damages affidavit or verification must be provided with the complaint.

The contract must be provided at the prove-up hearing if applicable to the claim.

An affidavit that no Answer/Appearance filed may be dated no earlier than 10 days before the present date.

An affidavit of non-military service is required for individual defendants only.

An affidavit of costs must be provided if costs are requested.

An affidavit for attorneys' fees must be provided if fees are requested.

An attorneys' fees spreadsheet detailing attorney performance must accompany the fee affidavit.

The contract provision or statute allowing attorneys' fees must be listed.

An interest calculation must be provided if interest is requested.

A draft judgment order must be provided at the prove-up hearing.

Motions and briefs limited to 15 pages (support/opposition) and 7 pages (reply), excluding exhibits.

Briefs must include citations of authority, procedural history, and record citations.

Exhibits and pleadings must be e-mailed with briefs; each exhibit separate PDF; list of exhibits required; Table of Contents helpful.

Oversized briefs require leave; if exceed 15 pages, must include table of contents and table of cases.

Sur-replies are not permitted.

Movant must email courtesy copies of all briefs to law.calncc@cookcountyil.gov; subject line includes case info; original brief in Word format; exhibits in PDF.

Courtesy copies due on or before clerk status date; failure may result in motion being stricken.

Extension requests must be made before courtesy copies due, not affect hearing/trial dates; parties should confer; if agreed, advise case coordinator and submit proposed order using court form; if not agreed, file motion.

Contact case coordinator at 312-603-4804 for scheduling modifications.

Submit proposed orders via email to law.calncc@cookcountyil.gov.

Original brief must be submitted in Word format (.docx or .doc).

Font size 12 pt body, 10 pt footnotes; margins 1 inch all around.

All arbitration-related motions must be presented to the Supervising Judge of the Commercial Calendar Mandatory Arbitration Program.

The list of attorneys, parties, and witnesses for the arbitration hearing must include email addresses for each attorney or party of record.

If a case settles after a trial date is scheduled, counsel must notify the case coordinator by voicemail at 312-603-4804.

Courtesy copies of any motion must be delivered three court days before presentment and may be placed in the tray outside the courtroom.

Dispositive motions must be presented no later than 90 days before trial unless otherwise ordered.

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