Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Courtesy copy of current or final account

A courtesy copy of a current or final account must include the account, prior year's account or inventory if first account, current bond, and fee schedule.

Courtesy copies of current and final accounts must include: 1. Current or final account; 2. Previous year account or inventory if First Account is being presented; 3. Most current bond; and 4. Fee schedule of the guardian or trustee, if any.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Briefs citing a deposition must include the entire transcript with an index and exhibits.

If a deposition is cited, a copy of the entire transcript must be provided, with an index and exhibits.

WARNING

Applies to

Brief

Arguments made only in footnotes are not considered, and parties may not evade page limits by incorporating arguments from other briefs.

Arguments raised only by footnote will not be considered, nor are parties permitted to circumvent page limits by merely incorporating arguments raised in other briefs by footnote or otherwise.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed exhibit list

Each proposed exhibit list must include a cover-sheet table with columns for exhibit number, description, stipulation to foundation, other objections and their nature, and whether the exhibit was admitted.

Each proposed exhibit list must have a cover sheet showing a table with columns for (1) the exhibit number, (2) the description, (3) whether the parties stipulate to the foundation, (4) whether there are any other objections to the admissibility of the exhibit and if so, the nature of the objection, and (5) whether the exhibit was admitted or not.

WARNING

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

The pretrial memorandum for the settlement conference must include identification, claims, facts, legal issues, amounts owed and paid with proof, and related itemization.

The pretrial memorandum shall contain: 1. An identification of the parties and their respective attorneys (including phone number(s)). 2. A listing of all causes of action, including all counterclaims, cross claims, third party actions, etc. 3. A statement of facts in dispute. 4. The issue(s) of law in the case and any issue(s) of law in dispute. 5. The actual claim(s) of plaintiff and/or defendant. 6. A statement of all amounts owed, and all amounts paid and proof thereof, if such exists, including but not limited to copies of invoices, receipts, and other documentation.

WARNING

Applies to

Agreed proposed order

Must include

proposed order

After hearing dates are provided by the Court, parties must respond timely and submit an agreed proposed order reflecting the selected date.

All parties are expected to respond timely about the preferred date and then submit an agreed proposed order to that effect.

WARNING

Applies to

Default motion

If a default is entered against a person, a military affidavit must be included.

A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.

WARNING

Applies to

Agreed order

Proposed orders must include Judge Conlon’s Zoom information when an opposing party is pro se, and should include it otherwise.

It is helpful to include the following language regarding Judge Conlon’s Zoom Information, and mandatory if the opposing party is a pro se litigant: This case is set for a status on [the pleadings, settlement, fact / written discovery] at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 2408’s virtual courtroom, which can be accessed via phone or Zoom: ■ Zoom Meeting ID Number: 974 5431 3798 ■ Password: 501494 ■ Additional information regarding accessing the virtual courtroom can be found on Judge Conlon’s page on the Court’s website.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to reconsider response

Responses to motions to reconsider are accepted only if the Court requests one.

No response to a motion to reconsider will be accepted unless requested by the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

The proposed order must include remote appearance details (Zoom Meeting ID, password, and dial-in number) unless otherwise ordered.

Include the following information for remote appearances, unless otherwise ordered: Zoom Meeting ID Number: 974 5431 3798 Password: 501494 Dial In Number (if needed): (312) 626-6799

WARNING

Applies to

Agreed order

Agreed proposed orders must state in the body the date the parties appeared in Court.

Include the date on which the parties appeared in Court in the body of the order.

WARNING

Applies to

Brief

Online citations should be to Lexis (which the Court has), not Westlaw (which the Court does not have). If a party has access to Westlaw only, the party must append copies of key cases to its brief for the Court’s review.

Online citations should be to Lexis (which the Court has), not Westlaw (which the Court does not have). If a party has access to Westlaw only, the party must append copies of key cases to its brief for the Court’s review.

WARNING

Applies to

Briefing schedule order

The Court’s form order should be used to set a briefing schedule on contested motions.

The Court's form order should be used for a briefing schedule on any contested motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management conference

Failure to appear at a case management conference may result in dismissal, default, or another sanction.

Failure to appear for a Case Management Conference may result in dismissal for want of prosecution, default, or other appropriate sanction.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management conference

All served defendants are expected to participate in the case management conference, whether or not they have filed a responsive pleading.

The Court expects all defendants who have been served to participate in the Case Management Conference, regardless of whether they have filed a responsive pleading.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order setting or continuing hearing

All orders setting or continuing a hearing must state how the hearing will be held.

All orders setting or continuing a hearing MUST contain language indicating how the hearing will be held.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Annual account

Courtesy copies of current and final accounts must include the account, previous year account or inventory, most current bond, and fee schedule.

Courtesy copies of current and final accounts must include: 1. Current or final account; 2. Previous year account or inventory if First Account is being presented; 3. Most current bond; and 4. Fee schedule of the guardian or trustee, if any.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order

Orders setting trials, evidentiary hearings, and pre-trial conferences must designate whether the matter will be held in person or remotely.

Orders setting such matters must designate whether the matter will be held in person or remotely.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Notice

All notices and orders setting status hearings, tax deed prove ups, motion calls, and name changes must specify both the Courtroom location and Zoom ID and Password.

All notices and orders setting such hearings shall specify both the Courtroom location and Zoom ID and Password.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial materials

At trial, a short trial brief should be provided when appropriate and proposed jury instructions if applicable.

(J) When appropriate, short trial brief with attention to primary contested issues of fact, unusual issues of law and authority; (K) Proposed jury instructions if applicable

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit of engagement

Affidavits of Engagement must identify the case name, case number, and trial judge.

Affidavits of Engagement must include the cause name, number, and the trial judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed dismissal order

Must include

proposed order

If the parties have settled and agree on the material terms, please tender an agreed dismissal order with the court to retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement. Please also strike any upcoming dates (specify the court date(s) in the order).

If the parties have settled and agree on the material terms, please tender an agreed dismissal order with the court to retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement. Please also strike any upcoming dates (specify the court date(s) in the order).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions marked set

(1) The marked and number set must designate the party offering the instruction, must be sequentially-numbered, and must contain the appropriate IPI Citation.

(1) The marked and number set must designate the party offering the instruction, must be sequentially-numbered, and must contain the appropriate IPI Citation.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Cover letter

Must include

case number

The cover letter accompanying courtesy copies must contain the case name, case number, and date and time of the clerk status.

with an accompanying cover letter containing the case name, the case number and the date and time of the clerk status.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions marked set

The marked set must be numbered with the IPI designator for the court file, and the appropriate ruling lines must appear on the face of each instruction.

The marked set of instructions must be properly numbered with the IPI designator for the court file with the appropriate lines for rulings on the face of the instruction.

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy

If a motion attacks a pleading, the courtesy copy must include the pleading attacked.

If a motion attacks a pleading, the courtesy copy must include the pleading attacked.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions

Two sets of jury instructions are required at the start of the case: a marked/numbered set and a clean set.

Two sets of jury instructions are required at the commencement of the case: (1) one set marked and numbered; and (2) a clean set.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions

Every instruction must include the six standard ruling lines (Given, No objection, Given over objection, Given as modified, Refused, Withdrawn).

Each instruction must contain the following lines: a. ____ Given b. ____ No objection c. ____ Given, over objection d. ____ Given, as modified e. ____ Refused f. ____ Withdrawn

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial equipment permission order

Must include

proposed order

Please provide a court order granting permission to bring the equipment into the courthouse for the court’s consideration.

Please provide a court order granting permission to bring the equipment into the courthouse for the court’s consideration.

WARNING

Applies to

Trial materials

Bench trials require the same trial materials as jury trials, except items 1, 4, and 7.

The same materials shall be delivered for Bench Trials except for numbers 1, 4 and 7.

WARNING

Applies to

Name change petition

Children aged 7 or older must be present at the name-change hearing.

Children aged 7 or older must be present at the hearing.

WARNING

Applies to

Arbitration order

Attorneys should use the standard form “all discovery closed arbitration order” when cases are referred to mandatory arbitration.

Attorneys should use the standard form “all discovery closed arbitration order” when cases are referred to mandatory arbitration.

WARNING

Applies to

Name change petition

Name-change petitions must address the consent of the non-custodial parent.

The question related to consent of the non-custodial parent must be addressed.

WARNING

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

certificate of service

Emergency motions must include proof of service with the supporting papers.

The Motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and a courtesy copy of the motion marked “EMERGENCY MOTION” and all supporting papers, including proof of service, must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the day before presentment.

WARNING

Applies to

Minor name change petition

For minor name changes, a separate child information sheet must be completed for each child.

For minor name changes a separate child information sheet must be completed for each child.

WARNING

Applies to

Name change petition

All questions on a name-change form petition must be answered.

All questions on the form petition should be answered.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of motion

Parties must file a notice of motion after an emergency motion is scheduled.

After scheduling the emergency motion, parties must file a notice of motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

On removal, litigants should email a proposed order identifying the court to which the case was removed and striking all future dates in this Court.

The Court requests that litigants e-mail copies of a proposed order striking the case from the call if it has been removed to another court. The order must specify which court the case has been removed to, and must strike any future dates in this Court, including the initial case management date.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Courtesy copy

Must include

proposed order

Courtesy of the Court shall include the claim, related documentation and proposed order.

Courtesy of the Court shall include the claim, related documentation and proposed order.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Filing citing deposition

When a deposition is cited, the full deposition transcript with an index and exhibits must be submitted.

Exhibits. If a deposition is cited, a copy of the entire transcript must be provided, with an index and exhibits.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed exhibit list

Proposed exhibit lists must be exchanged with exhibits attached and must include a cover sheet with a table covering exhibit number, description, foundation stipulation, remaining objections, and admission status.

The parties must exchange copies of their proposed exhibit lists with exhibits attached. Each proposed exhibit list must have a cover sheet showing a table with columns for (1) the exhibit number, (2) the description, (3) whether the parties stipulate to the foundation, (4) whether there are any other objections to the admissibility of the exhibit and if so, the nature of the objection, and (5) whether the exhibit was admitted or not.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial settlement memo

The parties must submit and exchange pre-trial settlement memos with specified content, delivered to the Court by email at least two calendar days before the settlement conference.

The parties must submit and exchange pre-trial memos setting forth a brief nature of the case, the stipulated and contested issues, the status of settlement negotiations and any other information any party believes would educate the judge or facilitate a compromise. This memo should be delivered to the Court via e- mail at least two calendar days before the settlement conference.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed order

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

Agreed Orders must be marked “Agreed”.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Notice or order

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.

All notices and orders setting any court date on Calendar 5 shall specify both the Courtroom location and Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order for trial or conference

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

Orders setting such matters must designate whether the matter will be held in person or remotely, or in a hybrid manner.

WARNING

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions to stay a judicial sale must include the sale date and time and must indicate whether the party previously sought a stay. A party seeking to stay judicial sale based on a purchase contract or a short sale contract must provide the court with a pre-approval letter for the buyer, or any proof of funds if the sale contract does not contain a mortgage contingency provision. A party seeking to stay judicial sale based on a completed loss mitigation application must provide the court with proof that an application was submitted to the lender and/or that the lender has acknowledged receipt of a completed loss mitigation application.

Emergency motions to stay a judicial sale must include the sale date and time and must indicate whether the party previously sought a stay. A party seeking to stay judicial sale based on a purchase contract or a short sale contract must provide the court with a pre-approval letter for the buyer, or any proof of funds if the sale contract does not contain a mortgage contingency provision. A party seeking to stay judicial sale based on a completed loss mitigation application must provide the court with proof that an application was submitted to the lender and/or that the lender has acknowledged receipt of a completed loss mitigation application.

WARNING

Applies to

Sealed bid auction request

Requests for sealed-bid auctions must be made by separate motion.

All requests for a sealed-bid auction must be presented by separate motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Bpo or appraisal

BPO or appraisal must be filed, signed, from a licensed broker/appraiser, by a disinterested third-party, dated within 60 days of the sale, and must not be a comparative market analysis, unless otherwise ordered.

A filed and signed broker's price opinion (BPO) from a licensed Illinois real estate broker or a filed and signed appraisal from a licensed Illinois appraiser of the value of the property prepared and executed by a disinterested third-party not greater than 60 days prior to the date of the judicial sale, unless otherwise ordered by Judge Pedersen. The "BPO" shall not be a "comparative market analysis."

WARNING

Applies to

Motion pdf

Each bookmark/tab must be clearly titled; PDFs without bookmarks must include a table of contents with page numbers.

Each bookmark/tab must be clearly titled (e.g., Notice of Motion, Complaint, Service Affidavits, Motion for Default, etc.) and neatly organized. PDFs without bookmarks/tabs should include a table of contents providing page numbers for each referenced pleading submitted to the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management conference submission

A pre-trial timeline order must be submitted with the proposed orders for each case management conference, along with the standard 1-2 page proposed case management order.

The form pre-trial timeline order to be entered concurrently with the entry of an order striking a case from case management (4331) for cases instituted on or after July 1, 2022, is available on the Court's webpage and shall be submitted with the proposed orders for each case management conference held along with the standard 1-2 page proposed case management order. Failure to tender a copy of a proposed pre-trial timeline order with case management conference courtesy copies may subject the case management conference to be stricken off the call requiring the plaintiff to re-notice the case management conference.