Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Motions for alternative service must include an affidavit of investigation; orders granting service by posting must contain specific language requiring posting on the defendant's front door.

203.1 Motions for Alternative Service shall be filed with an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation made to determine the residence or location of the defendant, the due diligence and inquiry made to date. Any order granting service by posting must contain the following language: “The posting of the summons, complaint and a copy this Court Order must be on the front door of the residence of the defendant. Posting on common entrances, front gates, mailbox, etc. to multi-unit buildings will not be accepted by the court for jurisdiction purposes.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

If a defendant fails to appear on the expedited case management date, the case is set for default judgment prove-up; the proposed order must set the prove-up date on the fifth Monday after default or any Monday thereafter at 10:30 a.m.

When a defendant fails to attend court on the expedited case management date, the case will be set for default judgment prove-up on a Monday at 10:30 a.m. The proposed order for prove-up shall set a date on the FIFTH (5th) MONDAY after default or on any Monday thereafter at 10:30 a.m.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Courtesy copy

Courtesy copies for asbestos motion calls must include the Notice of Motion, the Motion itself, and a proposed Order if applicable.

All courtesy copies deposited with the Court in this manner must be electronically-filed (i.e., bear the file-stamp of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County), and, if applicable, contain the following: (1) the Notice of Motion; (2) Motion itself; and (3) a proposed Order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Complaint

Complaints must include sufficient facts to identify the plaintiff's occupation(s) and/or exposure circumstances.

The complaint shall include sufficient facts to identify the plaintiff's occupation(s) and/or circumstances of the plaintiff's exposure.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order, notice of electronic filing

Proposed orders must be emailed in PDF to asbestos@cookcountyil.gov; proof of e-filing required for routine motions or stipulations.

Any (proposed) Orders must be transmitted to asbestos@cookcountyil.gov in .pdf format for the Court’s review and entry, unless otherwise directed by the Court. Proof of electronic-filing must accompany those (proposed) Orders that correspond to either routine motions or stipulations to dismiss.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial transfer order

Once a settlement conference date is confirmed, a Pre-Trial transfer Order must be entered in Courtroom 2005.

Once you have confirmed a date, a Pre-Trial transfer Order must be entered in Courtroom 2005.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

Upon assignment, parties must provide motions in limine.

Motions in limine.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Witness list

Upon assignment, parties must provide a witness list to be read to the jury.

Witness list to be read to the jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions

Upon assignment, parties must provide two sets of jury instructions: one with IPI numbering and citations, and one without for the jury.

Jury Instructions 2 sets: a. One with IPI numbering and citations. b. One without IPI numbering or citations for jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Short statement of case

Upon assignment, parties must provide a short statement of the case to be read to the jury in voir dire, including the expected trial duration.

Short statement of the case to be read to the jury in voir dire, including how long the trial will last.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement dismissal order

In the event the settlement requires additional court involvement (e.g. wrongful death/survival apportionment, minor’s settlement, etc.), the parties shall also utilize the court form identifying the date for submission of the appropriate petition.

In the event the settlement requires additional court involvement (e.g. wrongful death/survival apportionment, minor’s settlement, etc.), the parties shall also utilize the court form identifying the date for submission of the appropriate petition.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency motion must explain in detail the emergency grounds.

The Motion must set forth in detail the grounds for hearing the motion on an emergency basis.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement dismissal order

Settlement dismissal orders must disclose whether voluntary mediation was used and whether the order dismisses the entire case.

Any orders dismissing matters pursuant to settlement must include a statement disclosing whether or not voluntary mediation was utilized in reaching settlement and also indicate if the settlement dismisses the entire cause of action.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement petition

Petitions for minor, disabled, survival, or wrongful-death settlements must use the required court form.

Petitions to settle cases involving minors, disabled persons and survival and wrongful death claims shall utilize the court form identifying the date for submission of the appropriate petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order may not include Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a) language without express advance judicial authorization.

No Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 304(a) language may be included in any order without express advance judicial authorization.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

An emergency-motion movant must have an appearance on file and notify opposing parties according to circuit court rules.

(i) The movant must have an appearance on file and must give notice to opposing parties according to circuit court rules.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition to approve settlement

Each petition to approve settlement must include specified cost, fee, lien, and probate information.

Petitions shall include: (1) an itemized descriptive list of costs; (2) a copy of the fee agreement or counsel's representation as to the contingency percentage; (3) a description of all lien claims, even if the lien does not attach to the proceeds; and (4) appropriate language where further probate proceedings are required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A movant must include a proposed order with the motion or the motion will not be ruled on.

Movant must include a proposed order with their motion. Failure to do so will result in motion not being ruled on.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management order

Litigants must use the official Motion Calendar Section Case Management Order forms for Category 1 and Category 2 case types.

Litigants MUST use the Motion Calendar Section Form Case Management Orders for Category 1 and Category 2 Case Types located at https://www.cookcountycourt.org/ABOUT-THE-COURT/County- Department/Law-Division, and also are available in the motion court rooms.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Routine or agreed order

Agreed motions must be filed, and an order on a routine or agreed matter will not be entered until a file-stamped motion is provided.

Even agreed motions must be filed. Failure to attach a file stamped motion regarding a routine or agreed matter will result in the order not being entered until a filed motion is provided.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

proposed order

An emergency motion must include a proposed order and an introductory paragraph stating the grounds for the emergency.

(d) Emergency Motions with a proposed order must be submitted via email and include an introductory paragraph stating the grounds for the emergency.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dismissal order

Orders dismissing wrongful death, survival, or minors’ cases must not be submitted as routine or agreed; those matters follow the settlement-petition procedure in Section 4.

Parties shall not submit as routine or agreed any orders dismissing wrongful death, survival, or minors’ cases. For Petitions to Approve settlement and dismissal of such matters, see Section 4 below.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement petition

Settlement petitions must include an itemized list of costs, the fee agreement or counsel’s representation of the contingency percentage, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate language when further probate proceedings are required.

(b) Petitions shall include: (i) an itemized descriptive list of costs; (ii) a copy of the fee agreement or counsel’s representation as to the contingency percentage; (iii) a description of all lien claims, even if the lien does not attach to the proceeds; and (iv) appropriate language where further probate proceedings are required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement dismissal order

A settlement dismissal order must state whether voluntary mediation was used; a pretrial with a sitting judge does not count as voluntary mediation.

Any order dismissing a case pursuant to settlement must state whether voluntary mediation was or was not utilized in arriving at the settlement. (Pretrials with a sitting judge are not “voluntary mediation.”)

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Dismissal order

Include language in any dismissal orders specifically striking any future court dates in Calendar R only. This Court is not authorized to strike any dates set in Courtroom 2005, however, and such language should not be included.

Include language in any dismissal orders specifically striking any future court dates in Calendar R only. This Court is not authorized to strike any dates set in Courtroom 2005, however, and such language should not be included.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed motion and order

Agreed motions and orders must be titled “Agreed.”

Motions and orders presented by agreement must be titled “Agreed.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for default judgment

Must include

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.

The following materials must be attached to the motion: a. Copy of notice of motion and motion. b. Copy of summons and complaint. c. Copy of affidavit of service. d. Attorney or pro se litigant’s certification that both the Court file and the computer register have been checked for any appearance or answer by defendant(s). The certificate must be dated no more than ten (10) days before the date selected for presentation of the motion. e. If defaulting an individual, a military affidavit as required by federal law can be found at: (CCG_N004_02-06-11.pmd (cookcountyclerkofcourt.org). f. A copy of a proposed draft order specifying relief sought.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed dismissal order

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

Agreed dismissal orders must contain the original signature of all parties and/or their counsel. Please be sure to strike all future scheduled dates.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition to approve settlement

Settlement approval in cases involving minors/disabled persons, Wrongful Death Act, or survival actions requires a written Petition to Approve Settlement.

Any attorney seeking approval of a settlement in an action involving: (1) a minor's or disabled person's personal injury case; (2) an action brought under the Wrongful Death Act; and (3) an action which survives a plaintiff's death shall, in a written form, submit a Petition to Approve Settlement.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Briefing schedule order

Contested motions require entry of a briefing schedule order that includes a clerk status date.

Contested motions require the entry of a briefing schedule order which includes a clerk status date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Default motion

Must include

proposed order

A default motion requires notice of motion and submission of the original notice, original motion, copy of summons and its return, attorney's certificate, a military affidavit (when defaulting an individual), and a proposed draft order.

Motions The moving attorney must provide notice of motion and present the following: Original Notice of Motion, Original Motion, Copy of Summons, Copy of Return of a Summons, Attorney's Certificate, Military Affidavit (if defaulting an individual), and a proposed draft order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

Parties must email a proposed order to Calendar 14 after each court appearance.

Parties must submit a proposed order to the Calendar 14 email address (CCC.ChanceryCalendar14@cookcountyil.gov) following each court appearance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Default judgment

Must include

proposed order

D. Order appointing a special process server or order allowing service under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1, if applicable; E. If service under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1 was granted, counsel shall also submit proofs of the type of service required under the order and SCR 102(f): F. Attorney Certificate that counsel examined the online court docket prior to the hearing date and averring that no appearance or answer was on file; G. Affidavit of Military Service (if an individual is in default); and H. Proposed Order of Default.

D. Order appointing a special process server or order allowing service under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1, if applicable; E. If service under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1 was granted, counsel shall also submit proofs of the type of service required under the order and SCR 102(f): F. Attorney Certificate that counsel examined the online court docket prior to the hearing date and averring that no appearance or answer was on file; G. Affidavit of Military Service (if an individual is in default); and H. Proposed Order of Default.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

Discovery motions must incorporate a Rule 201(k) statement that counsel personally consulted and could not resolve differences, or that opposing counsel was unavailable or unreasonable.

Before bringing a motion related to discovery, the parties shall strictly adhere to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 201(k), which provides: The parties shall facilitate discovery under these rules and shall make reasonable attempts to resolve differences over discovery. Every motion with respect to discovery shall incorporate a statement that counsel responsible for trial of the case after personal consultation and reasonable attempts to resolve differences have been unable to reach an accord or that opposing counsel made himself or herself unavailable for personal consultation or was unreasonable in attempts to resolve differences.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written stipulation

Parties must submit a written stipulation signed by all counsel or parties listing all pending matters; unlisted petitions or motions are deemed waived or withdrawn.

A written stipulation signed by all counsel of record or parties listing all pending matters. Any petitions or motions not listed are deemed either waived or withdrawn;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Prove up

Must include

proposed order, certificate of service

Prove-up motions require new notice to served parties, notice of motion, certificate of service, default order, complaint with judgment affidavit, cost and fee affidavits, and proposed judgment order.

The following documents are to be submitted for the court to consider a motion for prove-up: A. Movant must provide new notice to all parties who have been served, even if they have not filed an appearance. (Circuit Court Rule 2.1). B. Notice of Motion, Certificate of Service and Motion for Prove-Up; C. Copy of entered order of default; D. Copy of the filed Complaint and affidavit verifying the judgment amount; E. Affidavit detailing costs requested; F. Affidavit detailing attorneys' fees requested, if authorized by statute or contract (if applicable); G. Proposed Judgment Order, specifying the precise relief awarded.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Deposition transcripts

Parties must provide full transcripts of evidence depositions to be used at trial, marked to identify the portions each party will offer.

Full transcripts of evidence depositions, to be used at trial, marked by each party to identify portions to be offered;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion in limine

Parties must provide copies of all new or still-pending motions in limine and supporting and opposing memoranda.

Copies of all new or still-pending motions in limine and supporting and opposing memoranda;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness list

Parties must provide a complete list of all potential witnesses, specifying who will or may be called by each party.

A complete list of all potential witnesses, specifying who will or may be called by each party;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for default

Must include

certificate of service

For a motion for entry of default order, the movant must provide notice to all served parties and submit Notice of Motion, Certificate of Service, Motion for Entry of Default Order, and Affidavit of Return of Service.

The following documents are to be submitted for the court to consider a motion for entry of a default order: A. Movant must provide notice to all parties who have been served, even if they have not filed an appearance. (Circuit Court Rule 2.1). B. Notice of Motion, Certificate of Service and Motion for Entry of Default Order; C. Affidavit of Return of Service whether by special process server or Deputy Cook County Sheriff;

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion for relief

The Motion for Relief must be in writing and comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h).

The Motion for Relief must be in writing and comply with the requirements of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

In administrative review cases, the Administrative Record must be submitted in PDF.

For administrative review cases, a copy of the Administrative Record in .PDF format must be submitted to the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Motions to appoint a special process server must include the process server's license number and, if service is in Cook County, a statement that service was attempted through the Sheriff's Office.

Motions to appoint a special process server must include the license number of the process server to be appointed. Where service is sought in Cook County, the motion must include a statement that service was attempted through the Sherriff’s Office.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

If depositions are cited, the entire transcript must be provided in PDF.

If depositions are cited in support of, or in opposition to a motion, a copy of the entire transcript must be provided in .PDF format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Every motion must include a PDF copy of the most recent complaint and relevant pleadings.

All motions must be accompanied by a .PDF copy of the most recent complaint and any other relevant pleadings.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

PDF submissions with multiple exhibits must include a navigable table of contents.

Any .PDF submission containing multiple exhibits must include a navigable table of contents.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

When a case is removed to federal court, a proposed order with specific language must be submitted via email.

If a case is removed to federal court, please submit a proposed order to the court at ccc.chancerycalendar5@cookcountyil.gov which “strikes the future court date of [date] for the reason that the case has been removed to the [e.g. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.]”

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

Parties may contact the court by email including electronic courtesy copies of the motion and all necessary supporting papers.

Parties may contact the court by email including electronic courtesy copies of the motion and all necessary supporting papers.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of service

Motions for default require notice to all parties, proof of service via actual affidavit, and a military service affidavit; website printouts are insufficient.

For motions for default, notice must be served on all parties regardless of whether an appearance has been filed. A motion for default must include proof of service and the required affidavit regarding military service. Proof of service must be established by the actual affidavit of the Deputy Cook County Sheriff or Special Process Service attesting to the facts of how service was achieved. A photocopy of the Cook County Sheriff’s website noting that service has been effectuated is insufficient proof.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit list

Parties must jointly prepare a complete list of all exhibits with objections noted.

A complete and jointly prepared list of all exhibits, including demonstrative exhibits, each party intends to use at trial, and whether the opposing side has any objections. In the event of objections, the nature of the objections must be noted, i.e., foundation, relevance, motion in limine, etc.