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 Michael T. Mullen

Judge Michael T. Mullen is a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Judge Mullen's published procedures include a standing order for Chancery Calendar 12 and an order regarding recusal.

Common questions about Judge Michael T. Mullen's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for consolidation and related case designation. Details: 1 copy, delivery at least five business days before hearing, by hand delivery. Courtesy copies of motion to consolidate or designate as related must be delivered hard copy and emailed 5 business days before hearing, including motion, notice, and operative complaint.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions to Consolidate or Designate as Related Within Chancery Division, Section 2

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Judge Michael T. Mullen's rule states these limits: attorney: 15 pages; pro se: 15 pages. Excludes exhibits. Briefs are limited to 15 double-spaced single-sided pages (exclusive of exhibits), double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Contested Motions & Briefs, Section 4

What page or word limits apply to summary judgment motion before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Summary judgment motions must follow the same format and length as contested motions, but the recitation of facts is excluded from the page limit.

View ruleSource: page 8, section Motions for Summary Judgment, Section 1

What must be included with motion for default judgment filings before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

The rule requires proposed order. Motions for default judgment must include specified attachments: notice, summons, complaint, affidavit of service, certification of court file check, military affidavit if applicable, and proposed order.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Motions for Default Judgment, Section 2

What must be included with agreed dismissal order filings before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Agreed dismissal orders must contain original signatures of all parties/counsel and strike all future dates.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Routine Motions, Section 6

How may parties contact Judge Michael T. Mullen's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Michael T. Mullen's chambers. The rule lists email Not specified in this section, but refer to Calendar 12 email. Emergency motions must be scheduled with law clerks via email by 4:00 p.m., not by telephone, with required documents emailed.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Emergency Motions, Section 1

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Requests should be made at least 5 business days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Michael T. Mullen. The request must include reason for request. Motions to continue trial or evidentiary hearing must be made in writing at least 5 business days before and supported by detailed affidavit.

View ruleSource: page 6, section Trial & Evidentiary Hearing Setting, Section 1

Is electronic filing required before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All motions not classified as routine must be filed through e-filing.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Routine Motions, Section 7

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

The rule states that filing is treated as not specified. Briefs filed after the briefing deadline may be stricken by the court.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Contested Motions & Briefs, Section 6

What rule applies to service for settlement memorandum before Judge Michael T. Mullen?

Proof of service is not required by this specific service rule. Details: recipient: the opposing party, timing: 5 business days before hearing. Settlement memoranda must be served on opposing party at least 5 business days before settlement conference, with courtesy copies delivered hard copy and emailed same day.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Settlement Conferences, Section 2
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael T. Mullen

Courtesy copies of motion to consolidate or designate as related must be delivered hard copy and emailed 5 business days before hearing, including motion, notice, and operative complaint.

Courtesy copies of petition for surplus funds must be delivered hard copy and emailed 5 business days before hearing, with consequence of striking if late.

Courtesy copies of regular motions must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before hearing, with consequence of striking if late.

Motions for default judgment must include specified attachments: notice, summons, complaint, affidavit of service, certification of court file check, military affidavit if applicable, and proposed order.

Courtesy copies of default judgment motions must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before hearing, including all supporting materials.

Agreed dismissal orders must contain original signatures of all parties/counsel and strike all future dates.

All motions not classified as routine must be filed through e-filing.

Courtesy copy of complaint must be delivered hard copy 5 business days before ICM Conference for first appearances.

Courtesy copies of all contested motion briefing must be delivered hard copy at least 5 business days before Clerk's Status date.

Briefs are limited to 15 double-spaced single-sided pages (exclusive of exhibits), double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins.

Briefs must include a table of contents for exhibits and exhibits must be tabbed, including digital exhibits.

Illinois case citations must use public-domain citation or official reports, not North Eastern Reporter; online citations must be to LEXIS.

Briefs filed after the briefing deadline may be stricken by the court.

Emergency motions must be scheduled with law clerks via email by 4:00 p.m., not by telephone, with required documents emailed.

Motions to continue trial or evidentiary hearing must be made in writing at least 5 business days before and supported by detailed affidavit.

Pre-trial memoranda must contain statement of case, agreed/uncontested facts, contested facts, applicable law, and witness list.

Settlement memoranda must be served on opposing party at least 5 business days before settlement conference, with courtesy copies delivered hard copy and emailed same day.

Courtesy copies of settlement memoranda must be delivered hard copy and emailed to chambers on the same date served on parties.

Proposed agreed orders must be emailed in Word format to the court with all parties copied, signed by all parties (e-signatures permitted).

E-filing is mandatory in Illinois for all civil areas except Quasi Criminal, Housing, and Wills.

Courtesy copies of routine motions must be delivered hard copy and emailed at least 1 business day before order entry, including motion, notice, and two copies of draft order.

Courtesy copies of TRO motions must be delivered hard copy and emailed prior to hearing, including proof of notice and all supporting documents.

Summary judgment motions must follow the same format and length as contested motions, but the recitation of facts is excluded from the page limit.

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