Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial order

Must include

proposed order

After a confirmed date, a Pre-Trial Transfer Order must be entered in Courtroom 2005, then a second order submitted to Courtroom 2303 setting the pretrial.

Once you have a confirmed date, a Pre-Trial Transfer Order must be entered in Courtroom 2005 transferring the case to Courtroom 2303 for pretrial purposes only. After receiving the date for the pretrial, the parties are to submit a second order to this Court setting the case for pretrial on the agreed date.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Petition to approve settlement

Must include

exhibit list

Petitions to approve settlement must include an itemized list of costs, fee agreement or contingency percentage, description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language if needed.

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.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion for alias summons

Must include

proposed order

Motions for Alias Summons must include a file-stamped copy from the Clerk and a proposed order, submitted via email to chambers.

For a Motion for Alias Summons, the person making the motion, or "Movant," shall send the file stamped copy from the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office, along with a proposed order via email to the chambers email of ccc.chancerycalendar3@cookcountyil.gov.

WARNING

Applies to

Dispositive motion

Dispositive motions with more than 3 exhibits must include hyperlinks to each exhibit.

Dispositive motions that include more than three (3) exhibits must contain hyperlinks directing to each individual exhibit.

WARNING

Applies to

Complaint

Each count in a complaint must be supported by specific factual allegations; blanket incorporation is insufficient.

Each count in the complaint must be supported by specific factual allegations that are directly relevant to the elements of that particular claim. General references to earlier paragraphs or the blanket incorporation of "all preceding paragraphs" do not satisfy this requirement. The use of boilerplate incorporation language—such as “Plaintiff incorporates all prior allegations as if fully set forth herein”—without identifying the specific factual allegations that support each count is insufficient. Each count must stand on its own and clearly articulate the factual basis for the legal claim asserted.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Cases set for trial and cases three years old or older are not eligible for routine motions.

Cases set for trial and cases three years old or older are not eligible for routine motions.

WARNING

Applies to

Draft order

Parties must tender a draft order granting permission to bring equipment into the building.

Please tender a draft order granting permission to bring equipment into the building for the court’s consideration.

WARNING

Applies to

Bench trial materials package

For bench trials, trial counsel must deliver the same required materials as for a jury trial, except the jury voir dire statement, the unanimity stipulation statement, and jury instructions.

B. Bench Trials Trial Counsel shall deliver the same materials listed above, excluding numbers 1, 4 and 7.

WARNING

Applies to

Cover letter

Must include

case number

Cover letter accompanying delivered documents must include the case number, date and time of the Clerk's Status.

At the Clerk’s Status, movant is obligated to deliver copies of all the briefs, pleadings, relevant documents and the most recent complaint and answer, if any, with an accompanying cover letter containing the case number, date and time of the Clerk’s Status.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit

An affidavit detailing the costs of suit is required if applicable.

An affidavit detailing the costs of suit, if applicable

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit

An affidavit for attorneys' fees is required if applicable, per Motion Court Rules 4.2(e)(2).

An affidavit for attorneys' fees, if applicable (See Motion Court Rules 4.2(e)(2)) (Statutory or Contract)

WARNING

Applies to

Amended complaint

Amended complaints and counterclaims should be submitted with a redline or other comparison document attached as an exhibit showing the amendments.

Amended Complaints and Amended Counterclaims, Cross-Claims and the like should be submitted with a redline or other comparison document attached as an exhibit showing the amendments made to the previous version of the complaint, counterclaim, or cross-claim.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury instructions

Jury instructions must include I.P.I. numbers, be individually marked "Agreed" or "Objected To", and comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 239(c).

Jury instructions with I.P.I. numbers (each instruction marked “Agreed” or “Objected To”) and compliance with Supreme Court Rule 239(c);

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

A pretrial memorandum must be delivered to the Court prior to the settlement conference.

b. The parties shall exchange and deliver a pretrial memorandum to this Court no less than five (5) days prior to the conference;

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to appoint receiver

In a motion to appoint a receiver, movant shall provide the Court with some background information regarding the subject property to assist the Court in setting a bond and maximum repair amount that may be incurred without prior approval of the Court. Movant should also provide their own suggested bond and maximum repair amount that may be incurred without prior approval of the Court.

In a motion to appoint a receiver, movant shall provide the Court with some background information regarding the subject property to assist the Court in setting a bond and maximum repair amount that may be incurred without prior approval of the Court. Movant should also provide their own suggested bond and maximum repair amount that may be incurred without prior approval of the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion for default judgment or order approving sale

In default judgment or order approving sale, the mortgagors served more than two years ago with no appearance, the plaintiff must represent that the service address is still current and that the mortgagor is not deceased in the motion, attached affidavit, or court statement.

(a) Pursuant to General Administrative Order No. 2021-09: (1) Any plaintiff that is seeking a default judgment of foreclosure or an order approving sale, where service was had on the mortgagor(s) over two years ago, and the mortgagor(s) has/have not filed an appearance must represent in the body of the motion itself, in an affidavit attached to the motion as an exhibit, or in a statement as an officer of the court in open court that the address whereupon service was effectuated is still the mortgagor(s) current address and the mortgagor(s) is not deceased.

WARNING

Applies to

Affidavit

Affidavits supporting receiver or mortgagee-in-possession motions must state whether the property is residential and abandoned/vacant, and attach color photographs.

All affidavits submitted in support of a motion to appoint a receiver or to place the mortgagee in possession pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/15-1706(a), (b) shall state whether the property is residential real estate and, if so, whether the property has been abandoned or is vacant and shall attach color photographs indicating as such.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Court-supplied, fill-in-the-blank orders should be used whenever possible. All proposed orders for each motion should be provided to the Court in one PDF with the courtesy copy submission and should not be attached to any other document.

Court-supplied, fill-in-the-blank orders should be used whenever possible. All proposed orders for each motion should be provided to the Court in one PDF with the courtesy copy submission and should not be attached to any other document.

WARNING

Applies to

Court document

Self-represented litigants with an email address must designate a single service email and include it on all court documents and correspondence.

Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(b), a self-represented litigant who has an email address must designate a single email address to which service may be directed and include that email address on all court documents and correspondences.

WARNING

Applies to

Dispositive motion

Dispositive motions under the specified statutory sections will be screened for strict compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules 113, 191, 236, and/or 803(6).

(l) Dispositive motions brought pursuant to Illinois Code of Civil Procedure sections 2-1005, 2-619, and 2-301(b) or section 15-1506 of the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law will be screened for strict compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules 113, 191, 236, and/or 803(6) as required.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit of non military service

An affidavit of non-military service is required for individual defendants only.

6. __ Affidavit of Non-Military Service (for individuals only)

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Oversized briefs require leave; if exceed 15 pages, must include table of contents and table of cases.

Oversized briefs are disfavored and require leave of court. Briefs that exceed the 15-page limit must have a table of contents with the pages noted and a table of cases.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Attorneys fees authority

The contract provision or statute allowing attorneys' fees must be listed.

b. _____List Contract provision or Statute allowing Attorneys' Fees

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Attorneys fees spreadsheet

An attorneys' fees spreadsheet detailing attorney performance must accompany the fee affidavit.

a. __ Attorneys' Fees spreadsheet detailing attorney performance

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Contract

The contract must be provided at the prove-up hearing if applicable to the claim.

4. __ Contract (if applicable)

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits and relevant pleadings (including any pleading attacked) must be e-mailed to the court with electronic copies of the briefs. Exhibits may be provided in PDF format. Each exhibit should be a separate PDF. A list of exhibits must be provided for each document that contains more than one exhibit. A Table of Contents linked to individual exhibits is helpful to the court.

Exhibits and relevant pleadings (including any pleading attacked) must be e-mailed to the court with electronic copies of the briefs. Exhibits may be provided in PDF format. Each exhibit should be a separate PDF. A list of exhibits must be provided for each document that contains more than one exhibit. A Table of Contents linked to individual exhibits is helpful to the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit of costs

An affidavit of costs must be provided if costs are requested.

7. __ Affidavit of Costs (ifrequested)

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs must include citations of authority, procedural history, and record citations.

Briefs shall include citations of authority and, as applicable, a procedural history section. Record citations are required.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit for attorneys fees

An affidavit for attorneys' fees must be provided if fees are requested.

8. __ Affidavit for Attorneys' Fees (if requested)

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Interest calculation

An interest calculation must be provided if interest is requested.

9. Interest calculation, ifrequesting interest

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Attorney party witness list

The list of attorneys, parties, and witnesses for the arbitration hearing must include email addresses for each attorney or party of record.

The following are the attorneys, parties and potential witnesses for the Commercial Calendar Mandatory Arbitration hearing. Email addresses for each attorney or party of record must be included.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of motion

Moving parties must include the Zoom meeting information in their notices of motion.

In order to provide notice to all parties of the remote video proceeding, moving parties shall include the above information in their notices of motion.

WARNING

Applies to

Service notice

Service notices must include the address, telephone number, and email address of each attorney or pro se litigant.

All service notices must include each attorney or pro se litigant’s address, telephone number, and email address.

WARNING

Applies to

Pleading

All pleadings filed with the court must bear the Clerk's stamp showing previous electronic filing.

All pleadings submitted to the Court must contain the Clerk’s stamp showing previous electronic filing

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

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

Proposed Orders shall contain the court’s email address and phone number as well as its Zoom information on the final page.

WARNING

Applies to

Case management status sheet

The plaintiff must provide the Court with a Case Management Status sheet and notice to the respondent.

Plaintiff will provide the Court with a Case Management Status sheet and notice to the Respondent.

WARNING

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

caption, case number

Every pleading must include the complete case caption, calendar number, and property address.

All pleadings must contain the entire case caption, calendar number, and property address.

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy email

The subject line of the email containing courtesy copies should be as follows: Court date; Case number; Case name. *DO NOT USE YOUR FIRM’S INTERNAL FILE NUMBER in the email subject line*

The subject line of the email containing courtesy copies should be as follows: Court date; Case number; Case name. *DO NOT USE YOUR FIRM’S INTERNAL FILE NUMBER in the email subject line*

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Transcript

Parties wanting a transcript must provide their own court reporter.

There are no official court reporters assigned to the Minor Guardianship Court. A party desiring a transcript of proceedings in Calendar 9 is responsible for providing a court reporter.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs citing out-of-state or federal cases must attach a copy of the cited case.

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

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs must include citations of authority, procedural history when applicable, and record citations.

Briefs shall include citations of authority and, as applicable, a procedural history section. Record citations are required.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Must include

exhibit list

Exhibits and relevant pleadings must be emailed with briefs; each exhibit a separate PDF; exhibit list required; deposition transcripts with word index required when cited.

Exhibits and relevant pleadings (including any pleading attacked) must be e-mailed to the court with electronic copies of the briefs. Exhibits may be provided in PDF format. Each exhibit should be a separate PDF. A list of exhibits must be provided for each document that contains more than one exhibit. A Table of Contents linked to individual exhibits is helpful to the court. Where depositions are cited, an electronic copy of the entire transcript with a word index must be provided.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Brief

Briefs exceeding 15 pages must include a table of contents with page numbers and a table of cases.

Briefs that exceed the 15-page limit must have a table of contents with the pages noted and a table of cases.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to deviate from hearing format

Requests to change the hearing format must be made by written motion that states a valid basis.

Any request to deviate from this format must be requested via written motion with a valid basis required.

WARNING

Applies to

Order setting or continuing hearing

Any order that sets or continues a hearing must state how the hearing will be held, and the default hearing format applies unless the order says otherwise.

All orders setting or continuing a hearing MUST contain language indicating how the hearing will be held. The hearing will be conducted as designated above unless an order is entered to the contrary.

WARNING

Applies to

Current or final account courtesy copy

A courtesy copy of a current or final account must include the account itself, the previous year's account or inventory for the first account, the most current bond, and any fee schedule.

Courtesy copies of current and final accounts must include the following and must be delivered to the Court: 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

Petition for attorney fees

A Petition for Attorney's Fees is required on applicable cases only (commercial and condo).

Petition for Attorney’s Fees – on applicable cases only. (Commercial & Condo)

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Default judgment motion

If a Prove-Up affidavit is not filed, Plaintiff may offer sworn testimony to support the default judgment motion.

In the event a Prove-Up affidavit is not filed, Plaintiff may offer sworn testimony to support its motion for entry of a default judgment.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order

A standardized residential eviction order form, as determined by the Supreme Court, must be used statewide.

A standardized residential eviction order form, as determined by the Supreme Court, shall be used statewide.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Order

If a settlement or dismissal order is submitted before the scheduled date, it must strike the future court date.

If submitted before the date the matter was scheduled, the order must strike the future court date.