Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to reform legal description

Motions to reform a property's legal description must comply with General Administrative Order No. 2016-03 and identify the original and correct descriptions, the reason for the difference, and evidentiary support.

Any motion seeking to reform the legal description of a property in a Mortgage, Note, or any Assignment thereof must comply with the General Administrative Order No. 2016-03 and clearly identify (1) the original legal description; (2) the correct legal description, specifically identifying the change(s) made; (3) the reason the legal description is different or was incorrect, as appropriate; and (4) evidentiary support for the change.

WARNING

Applies to

Loss mitigation affidavit

Loss mitigation affidavits supporting dispositive motions must be dated within 60 days of the motion's filing.

Loss mitigation affidavits in support of dispositive motions should be as timely as possible, but must be dated within 60-days of the filing of the dispositive motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Service notice

Service notices must include each attorney's or self-represented litigant's address, telephone number, and email address.

All service notices must include each attorney or self-represented litigant's address, telephone number, and email address.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management materials

Continued Case Management materials must include case management orders from at least the prior appearance.

Continued Case Management materials must include case management orders from at least the prior appearance.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of sale

The Notice of Sale must comply with 735 ILCS 5/15-1507(c) and include proof of mailing and e-mailing to all parties with email addresses.

Notice of Sale in compliance with 735 ILCS 5/15-1507(c), as amended, including proof of mailing the Notice of Sale, and proof of e-mailing the notice of sale for all parties of record with an e-mail address pursuant to Amended S. Ct. Rule 113, and Rule 11 (c)

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed judgment foreclosure order

Proposed foreclosure orders may only include immediate possession language after statutory requirements are met and an appropriate motion is presented; certain prohibited language is exemplified.

Proposed Judgment of Foreclosure Orders, which may include any language authorizing immediate possession; immediate possession is authorized by statute only after meeting statutory requirements and upon presentment of an appropriate motion. One example of prohibited language is: "That the parties hereto who shall be in possession of said premises, or any part thereof, including leaseholders, or any person who may have come into possession under them or any of them, since the inception of the mortgage or commencement of this suit, shall upon presentment of said Judicial/Sheriffs Deed of Conveyance, surrender possession of said premises to said grantee, his representative or assigns, and in default of so doing, an Order of Possession shall issue."

WARNING

Applies to

Order withdrawing motion

When withdrawing, continuing, or striking a motion, the movant must submit a proposed order (instead of courtesy copies) containing the originally scheduled date and time.

In the event a movant chooses not to proceed on a motion noticed before the Court the movant or movant's counsel should immediately send to the Court in lieu of courtesy copies an order withdrawing the motion, entering and continuing the motion generally, or striking the motion from the call, such a proposed order and the email submitting said proposed order to the Court for entry either on or off call shall contain both the date and time for which the motion was originally scheduled.

WARNING

Applies to

Summons

Summonses must include the Notice to Homeowners informational sheet in English and Spanish; failure to strictly comply results in the matter being continued to a new date subject to the Court's availability.

All summonses must include the Notice to Homeowners informational sheet in English and Spanish;

WARNING

If applicable, copies of evidence depositions if there are objections requiring rulings.

If applicable, copies of evidence depositions if there are objections requiring rulings.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders should not include a pre-filled date by the signature block.

Orders should not include a pre-filled date by the signature block as the Court may not enter the order on the date listed depending on the time or date of its receipt.

WARNING

Applies to

Contested motion materials

Contested motion materials must include the briefing schedule order and any revisions.

Contested motion materials must include the briefing schedule order and any revisions thereto.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion leave withdraw counsel

Motions for leave to withdraw as counsel must strictly conform to Supreme Court Rule 13(c)(2-4).

All motions of counsel for leave to withdraw must strictly conform to Supreme Court Rule 13(c)(2-4).

WARNING

Applies to

Attorney fee affidavit

If attorney fees are sought, an affidavit of fees and costs must include detailed billing/time and tally reports when fees exceed $4,100.

Attorney Affidavit of fees and costs, if sought—including detailed billing/time and tally reports if fees exceed $4,100.

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy email

The courtesy copy email body must include the case number, court date, and a brief description, and must not include internal law firm file numbers.

The body of the e-mail must include the case number, court date, and a brief description of the matter. (e.g., Attached are courtesy copies for December 30, 2020, for 20 CH 0001 (PNC v. Martin) up on Case Management/Judgment Motions/Order Approving Sale/Status on _____/Plaintiff's or Defendant's Motion to /etc.) a. Please do not include any "internal" file numbers of the law firm submitting the courtesy copies

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

A motion to issue an alias summons must state when the summons will issue and identify the person on whom it is being issued.

A motion to issue an alias summons must state when the summons will issue and identify the person on whom it is being issued.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion seeking in personam deficiency

Motions seeking an in personam deficiency must include the complaint, judgment, proof of service, blank memorandum of judgment, and a compliant BPO or appraisal.

If a party seeks an in personam deficiency, the movant should also provide: i. The complaint ii. The judgment of foreclosure iii. The proof of service on the defendant(s) against whom the deficiency is sought, or if said defendant(s) filed an appearance, a copy of their appearance iv. Copies of a blank memorandum of judgment v. 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

Courtesy copy email

Courtesy copy emails must use a subject line containing only the case number, case name, and court date (or 'off-call' for routine motions).

The subject line of the e-mail must include only the case number, the case name, and the court date (e.g., 20 CH 0001 PNC v Martin 12/30/2024). For routine motions, please indicate "off-call" instead of the court date.

WARNING

Applies to

Affidavit

Rule 113/191 and loss mitigation affidavits must have the affiant's signature and notary on the same page.

The Rule 113/191 affidavit and loss mitigation affidavit shall have the affiant's signature and notary on the same page.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must include the court's email address, phone number, and Zoom information.

(1) Proposed orders shall contain the court's e-mail address, phone number, and Zoom information.

WARNING

Applies to

Proof of sending

Proof of sending the COVID-19 Declaration notice must be in the form of an affidavit.

Proof of Sending the Notice of COVID-19 Declaration to each resident, mortgagor(s), and additional notice addressed to "Residents and Tenants" of the property. Said proof shall be in the form of an affidavit.

WARNING

Applies to

Service notice

Service notices must include the address, telephone number, and e-mail of every attorney and pro se litigant.

number, and property address. All service notices must include each attorney or self-represented (pro se) litigant's address, telephone

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must be provided with the courtesy copy submission and not attached to any other document.

Proposed orders for each motion should be provided to the Court with the courtesy copy submission and should not be attached to any other document.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Prior orders related to the motion or appearance must be provided, with specific requirements for emergency motions, continued case management, and contested motions.

iv. Prior Orders related or pertaining to the motion or appearance must be provided. For example: Emergency Motions must include the prior order from which relief is being sought along with the Judgment of Foreclosure, if applicable. Continued Case Management materials must include case management orders from at least the prior appearance. Contested motion materials must include the briefing schedule order and any revisions thereto.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of motion

Notices of motion and notices of initial case management must include all four pages of the required Zoom instructions in English and Spanish.

All notices of motion and notices of initial case management must include a copy of all four pages of the required Zoom instructions in English and Spanish.

WARNING

Applies to

Judgment motion

Judgment motions must include a Notice to Residents of COVID-19 Declaration form where applicable.

Where applicable, Notice to Residents of COVID-19 Declaration form.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion appoint process server

A motion to appoint a special process server must include the process server's name, employer, and license number.

A motion to appoint a special process server must contain the process server's name, employer, and license number.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion voluntary dismissal

Must include

proposed order

Motions to voluntarily dismiss must state the basis for dismissal in both the motion and proposed order, and the proposed order must state whether dismissal is with or without prejudice.

Motions to voluntarily dismiss a case in its entirety shall include the basis for the dismissal in both the motion and the proposed order. Additionally, the proposed dismissal order shall state whether the dismissal is with or without prejudice.

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy submission

When submitting courtesy copies, the moving party must include the proposed briefing schedule order and any relevant prior court orders.

Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the moving party is to supply the Court with all courtesy copies, as well as the proposed briefing schedule order and any other relevant prior court order(s) necessary for the Court to have a full understanding of a case's procedural history.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must include the Court's contact information and Zoom information.

All proposed orders shall include the Court's contact information and Zoom information.

WARNING

Applies to

Hearing notice or order

Notices and orders setting tax deed prove-ups, name changes, motion calls, and status hearings must specify both the Courtroom location and the Zoom ID and password.

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

WARNING

Applies to

Affidavit of inspection

Affidavits of Inspection must include a specific date of inspection.

Affidavits of Inspection must include a specific date of inspection.

WARNING

Applies to

Order setting hearing

Orders setting trials, evidentiary hearings, or pre-trial settlement conferences must designate whether the parties seek leave for a remote or hybrid court appearance.

Orders setting such matters must designate whether the parties seek leave for a remote or hybrid court appearance.

WARNING

Applies to

Cover letter for tax deed request

Requests for a tax deed subsequent to prove-up require a hard-copy cover letter, sent to all required parties, enclosing the prove-up transcript, proof of tax payment, all documents requested at the prove-up, and the proposed order for deed.

As to a request for tax deed subsequent to prove-up, a hard copy of a cover letter with copies to all required parties enclosing a copy of the transcript of prove up, proof of payment of taxes, all documents requested at the prove-up and the proposed order for deed.

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy email

The 're:' line of the courtesy copy email must contain the party's name, the case number, and the date and time of the motion call, and all parties must be copied.

The “re:” line of the email must contain the name of the party filing the motion, the case number and the date and time of the motion call. All parties must be copied on any email submissions.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Courtesy copy

Courtesy copy set for contested motions must include motion, briefs, exhibits, complaint, pleadings, and administrative record if applicable.

These copies may be submitted via email unless otherwise instructed and should include: • Motion, supporting brief, response brief, reply brief, and all exhibits (tabbed for physical copies and clearly marked for electronic versions). • Sur-response and sur-reply, and if applicable, along with all exhibits. • Most recent complaint. • All relevant pleadings. • The administrative record for administrative review cases.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial materials

Trial materials must include joint statement, witness list, exhibit table of contents, and exhibits in binders with page numbers and tabs.

Required trial materials include: • A joint short statement outlining the nature of the case. • A list of all potential witnesses, indicating those who will and may testify for each party. • A comprehensive table of contents listing all exhibits each party intends to use at trial. • Exhibits should be page-numbered, tabbed, and presented in binders. • All exhibits shall be listed by the number that the party offering it intends to use at trial, and any stipulations or agreements as to foundations or admissibility.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

When insurance contract is at issue, movant must provide Bates-stamped copies of the contract, application, and certificates; motions should reference these copies.

If an insurance contract is at issue, the movant (or the insurance company on cross-motions) must provide Bates-stamped copies of the contract, including the application and any relevant certificates. All motions should reference these Bates- stamped copies and need not include the policy as an exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial submission

Pretrial settlement submissions must contain a summary of the facts, the demand, and the offer.

Pretrial submissions should be delivered to the Court by email to Daniel.trevino@cookcountyil.gov at least 3 days prior to the conference. containing (a) a summary of the facts, (b) the demand and (c) the offer.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of case

The parties jointly submit a short, non-argumentative written statement of the case listing the parties, the nature of the case, the attorneys, and each party's witness list.

The parties jointly will submit a short non-argumentative statement of the case in writing, listing the parties, the nature of the case, the attorneys representing the respective parties and a list of witnesses to be called by each party.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial submission

A pre-trial settlement conference will not be conducted unless a demand and offer have been exchanged.

A pre-trial will not be conducted unless there has been a demand and offer.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Submission

Every submission to the Court must bear the Clerk's stamp and be sent to every other party in the same manner and form.

Any submission to the Court must contain the Clerk’s stamp and is required to be sent to every other party to the litigation in the same manner and form.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

The movant must state in the email and motion whether the motion is agreed or opposed; agreed orders are emailed with 'Agreed' in the title and entered without a briefing schedule.

The movant must state in the email and motion whether the motion is agreed or whether there is an objection. If the motion is agreed, and the respondent does not object to the entry of the order, the parties shall email the proposed order to including the word “Agreed” in the title of the order, and the order will be entered without a briefing schedule.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs citing cases from outside Illinois or in federal court (including the 7th Circuit or Northern District of Illinois) must attach a copy of the cited case.

All briefs citing to cases outside of Illinois or in federal court must include a copy of the case attached to the brief. This includes cases cited to in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals or the Northern District of Illinois.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

Must include

proposed order

Motions in limine must be in writing, and a written order reflecting the Court's ruling must be prepared.

All Motions in Limine shall be in writing and a written Order shall be prepared reflecting the Court's ruling on same.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Receipt on distribution

To assist in completing the State Treasurer's procedure, the estate attorney should fill out and provide the Manager for Compliance with the attached Receipt on Distribution. After the funds are deposited and the representative for the State Treasurer signs the Receipt on Distribution, the estate attorney shall present the Court with the completed Receipt on Distribution on the return date and provide the Court with a status on closing the estate under 755 ILCS 5/28-11.

To assist in completing the State Treasurer's procedure, the estate attorney should fill out and provide the Manager for Compliance with the attached Receipt on Distribution. After the funds are deposited and the representative for the State Treasurer signs the Receipt on Distribution, the estate attorney shall present the Court with the completed Receipt on Distribution on the return date and provide the Court with a status on closing the estate under 755 ILCS 5/28-11.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order of discharge

For estate closings, any future date must be stricken on the order of discharge.

for closings that any future date is stricken on the order of discharge

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order appointing

For estate openings, the order appointing the representative must include the date of death.

openings that the date of death is included on the order appointing

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Dcfs authorization background check

The DCFS Authorization for Background Check must not be e-signed.

Do not e-sign the Authorization.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Email

The subject line of the email should include case name, case number and the scheduled return date.

The subject line of the email should include case name, case number and the scheduled return date.

WARNING

Applies to

Uncontested motion

Must include

proposed order

For uncontested motions, a proposed agreed order should be submitted at least 2 days before presentment.

Where a filed motion is not contested by any parties, the court requests that a proposed agreed order be submitted at least two (2) days prior to the presentment date of the motion.