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 Maire Dempsey

Judge Maire Dempsey is a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County. The court handles a wide range of civil and criminal matters.

Judge Dempsey's published procedures include a standing order for Law Calendar H, effective May 29, 2024.

Common questions about Judge Maire Dempsey's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Maire Dempsey?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for non dispositive. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing, by email. For non-dispositive motions with a briefing schedule, movant must email a complete courtesy copy of all briefs and exhibits; hard copies only needed if exhibits exceed 15 pages.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Motions

Does Judge Maire Dempsey require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

The rule does not state that a pre-motion letter is required, but it sets the applicable pre-motion procedure. Emergency motions must include a proposed Order, state grounds, provide at least 24 hours notice to other parties, and be presented at 9:30 am.

View ruleSource: page 1, section II. Motions

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Maire Dempsey?

Judge Maire Dempsey's rule states these limits: attorney: 15 pages. Excludes exhibits. For dispositive motions, paper courtesy copies required; briefs must be double-sided, deposition transcripts in mini-script (4 pages per page) and double-sided; briefs limited to 15 pages unless allowed by Court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Motions

What must be included with petition to approve settlement filings before Judge Maire Dempsey?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Petitions to approve settlement must include an itemized list of costs, description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language if required.

View ruleSource: page 3, section V. Petitions to Approve Settlement

What must be included with agreed dismissal order filings before Judge Maire Dempsey?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Agreed Dismissal Orders must strike future court dates and indicate if minors or wrongful death claims are involved; do not include language striking trial dates in Room 2005.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Generally

How may parties contact Judge Maire Dempsey's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Maire Dempsey's chambers. The rule lists email law.calHcc@cookcountyil.gov. Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar H email and must copy all parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Generally

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Maire Dempsey?

Requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance when this rule applies before Judge Maire Dempsey. All hearings are in person unless Zoom is requested at least 24 hours in advance and confirmed by the Court.

View ruleSource: page 3, section IV. Zoom

Is electronic filing required before Judge Maire Dempsey?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Non-agreed regular motions must be spindled through Odyssey for in-person hearing; courtesy copy may be emailed prior to presentment.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Maire Dempsey

Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar H email and must copy all parties.

Technical or logistical questions should be directed to the Court Clerk via email.

Agreed Dismissal Orders may be submitted by email or dropped off in Room 2209.

Agreed Dismissal Orders must strike future court dates and indicate if minors or wrongful death claims are involved; do not include language striking trial dates in Room 2005.

Agreed Motions/Orders may be submitted by email or drop off; must include a proposed Order with 'Agreed' in the title.

Emergency motions must include a proposed Order, state grounds, provide at least 24 hours notice to other parties, and be presented at 9:30 am.

Routine motions should be emailed or dropped off at 8:45 am on the noticed date with a proposed Order; no need to spindle through Odyssey.

Non-agreed regular motions must be spindled through Odyssey for in-person hearing; courtesy copy may be emailed prior to presentment.

Motions may be piggy-backed onto an existing court date with adequate notice to all parties.

Briefing schedules are unlikely for non-dispositive motions; parties should expect to argue and receive a ruling on the presentment date.

For non-dispositive motions with a briefing schedule, movant must email a complete courtesy copy of all briefs and exhibits; hard copies only needed if exhibits exceed 15 pages.

No briefing for §2-615 and §2-622 motions; movant must describe deficiencies and provide pleadings; respondent may submit a response at Court's discretion.

For dispositive motions, paper courtesy copies required; briefs must be double-sided, deposition transcripts in mini-script (4 pages per page) and double-sided; briefs limited to 15 pages unless allowed by Court.

Briefs are limited to 15 pages unless the Court allows more.

For motions set for bench ruling, courtesy copies must be delivered no later than 7 days before the ruling date.

For motions set for written ruling, courtesy copies must be delivered within 5 business days of the reply being filed or the reply deadline expiring.

Petitions to settle cases involving minors, disabled persons, survival, and wrongful death claims must be submitted by email or drop off.

All hearings are in person unless Zoom is requested at least 24 hours in advance and confirmed by the Court.

Petitions to approve settlement must include an itemized list of costs, description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language if required.

Pro se litigants must comply with Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, Illinois Supreme Court Rules, and Cook County Circuit Court Rules.

Pre-trial memoranda may be submitted 3 days before the conference, containing a summary of allegations/defenses, evidence, injuries, damages, and last demand/offer/policy limit.

For dispositive motions, paper courtesy copies required; briefs double-sided; deposition transcripts in mini-script (4 pages per page) and double-sided.

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