Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

WARNING

Applies to

Affidavit of engagement

Must include

judge name, case number

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

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

WARNING

Applies to

Courtesy copy

Must include

caption, case number

Courtesy copies must be accompanied by a cover letter/email stating the case number, caption, court date, and that delivery is pursuant to the order; the movant must copy all parties of record.

Courtesy copies shall be accompanied by a cover letter or cover email containing the case number, caption, court date, and a statement that the delivery is pursuant to this order. The movant shall copy all parties of record to this correspondence.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial memo

Pre-trial memos should not include entire copies of depositions or expert reports; excerpts are allowed.

If submitted, they should be short (2-4 pages) and should not include entire copies of depositions or expert reports, but excerpts are welcome.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial memo

Pre-trial memos must include the pre-trial date/time; the Plaintiff must list claimed damages and liens; the memo must list coverage levels and carrier.

The Pre-trial memos should include the date and time of the Pre-trial. The Plaintiff shall list claimed damages and any liens, and the memo should list all available levels of coverage and the carrier.

WARNING

Applies to

Agreed order

Agreed Orders should be provided to the Court via email.

Agreed Orders should be provided to the Court via email.

WARNING

Applies to

Dispositive motion

Dispositive motions will be screened for compliance with Supreme Court Rules; insufficient affidavits may be struck sua sponte.

Dispositive motions (including, but not limited to, those brought pursuant to Illinois Code of Civil Procedure sections 2-1005, 2-619, and 2-301(b)) will be screened for strict compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules, as required. The Court “can—and should—sua sponte strike affidavits that are insufficient under Rule 191(a).”

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

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

Proposed orders shall contain the Court’s email address, phone number, and Zoom information.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Citations should only be to LexisNexis. The Court does not have access to Westlaw or many secondary sources such as treatises. If a party wishes to cite authority that is not found on LexisNexis, that party shall attach a copy of that authority to their motion or brief.

Citations should only be to LexisNexis. The Court does not have access to Westlaw or many secondary sources such as treatises. If a party wishes to cite authority that is not found on LexisNexis, that party shall attach a copy of that authority to their motion or brief.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of motion

For emergency motions, the movant must not pre-select a hearing date/time on the notice; the court's law clerk will provide it.

the date and time on the notice of motion shall not be pre-selected by the moving party; although, the moving party may suggest a date/time for the hearing. In the event a hearing is set, one of the Court's law clerks will provide the date and time the emergency motion will be heard by the Court, based upon the availability of the Court.

INFO

Applies to

Bystanders report

Court reporters should be provided by the parties. If a trial is not reported, counsel will have to prepare a Bystanders' Report for any appeal. The Court will review any such document but will not itself prepare the document.

Court reporters should be provided by the parties. If a trial is not reported, counsel will have to prepare a Bystanders' Report for any appeal. The Court will review any such document but will not itself prepare the document.

INFO

Applies to

Proposed order

The proposed order must identify all parties who appeared and all parties who did not appear.

Identify the parties that appeared and did not appear (if any).

INFO

Applies to

Proposed order

The proposed order must state the date of the court appearance.

State the date of the appearance.

INFO

Applies to

Dispositive motion

The Court does not provide court reporters; parties who want one must arrange and pay for their own, and the Court recommends using one for dispositive motions.

a. The Circuit Court does not provide court reporters for matters in this Court. If the parties feel it necessary to have a court reporter for a specific case, they should arrange their own court reporter at their expense. The Court recommends having a court reporter for dispositive motions.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement conference memorandum

Settlement conference memoranda should outline the issues, damages, negotiation status, and any additional information useful to a meaningful conference.

The memoranda should include a short statement of the issues, the damages, the status of settlement negotiations, and any additional information which will help the court hold a meaningful settlement conference.

INFO

Applies to

Order

Where applicable, proposed orders should include a sentence striking any previously set court date.

Where applicable, include in the Order a sentence striking any previously set Court date.

INFO

Applies to

Order or motion

Redemption dates must be stated as specific calendar dates.

Dates certain, e.g., "February 1, 2025," are required for redemption dates.

INFO

Applies to

Dispositive motion

Dispositive motions under §§ 2-1005, 2-619, and 2-301(b) will be screened for Rule 113 and/or Rule 191 compliance.

Dispositive motions brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 2-1005, 2-619, and 2- 301(b) will be screened for Rule 113 and/or Rule 191 compliance.

INFO

Applies to

Proposed order

Use court-supplied fill-in-the-blank order forms whenever possible.

Court-supplied, fill-in-the-blank orders should be used whenever possible.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit of compliance

Parties must provide an affidavit of compliance with Rule 237 notices and statement of disputes.

An affidavit of compliance with all Supreme Court Rule 237 notices and a statement of all outstanding disputes regarding such notices.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement conference stipulation and consent

Parties must execute a settlement conference stipulation and consent form.

Parties must execute a settlement conference stipulation and consent, available on the court’s website.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

Parties must bring copies of motions in limine and memoranda, and discuss them before pre-trial conference.

Copies of all motions in limine and supporting and opposing memoranda. Motions in limine must be discussed between and among counsel in advance of the pre-trial conference to ensure that the motions remaining are those that the parties in good faith cannot resolve before trial.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial materials

Parties must bring copies of Rule 216 requests to admit and responses anticipated for trial.

Copies of any Supreme Court Rule 216 requests to admit and responses thereto which any party anticipates using at trial.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Pleadings

Parties must bring copies of the most recent pleadings with exhibits.

Copies of the most recent pleadings (i.e., complaint, answer, counterclaim, third-party complaint with all exhibits attached, and so forth).

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Opinion testimony disclosure

Parties expecting to offer opinion testimony shall tender responses to Supreme Court Rule 213 interrogatories (with any supplements) and/or deposition testimony that will support the opinion testimony to be offered at trial. If testimony is challenged at trial as not in compliance with Rule 213, the proponent will be expected to promptly locate the previous disclosure demonstrating compliance with the Rule’s requirements.

Parties expecting to offer opinion testimony shall tender responses to Supreme Court Rule 213 interrogatories (with any supplements) and/or deposition testimony that will support the opinion testimony to be offered at trial. If testimony is challenged at trial as not in compliance with Rule 213, the proponent will be expected to promptly locate the previous disclosure demonstrating compliance with the Rule’s requirements.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Evidence deposition

Parties must bring evidence depositions if there are objections.

Evidence depositions, if there are objections requiring rulings.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Petition

If an emergency concerns a testate opening, counsel should indicate this in the petition so the clerk has time to make the original will available in court.

If the emergency is in regards to a testate opening, please indicate so in your petition so that the clerk will have sufficient time to make the original will available in court.

INFO

Applies to

Agreed order

The term 'Agreed Order' includes any order, including temporary and plenary orders.

For purposes of this order, the term "Agreed Order" shall mean any order, including, but not limited to, temporary order and plenary order.

INFO

Applies to

Proposed order

Court-supplied fill-in-the-blank order forms should be used whenever possible.

Court-supplied, fill-in-the-blank orders should be used whenever possible.

INFO

Applies to

Motion

A shortened redemption period does not automatically grant immediate possession; plaintiff must re-establish vacancy with a recent affidavit.

The Court granting a plaintiff a shortened redemption period at the judgment stage of the case will NOT automatically entitle that plaintiff to immediate possession of the subject property following entry of the order approving sale. The plaintiff will need to once again establish at the order approving sale stage via a vacancy affidavit or affidavit of abandonment dated no more than 6 months prior to the hearing that the property continues to be vacant/abandoned.

INFO

Applies to

Proposed order

Parties should use the court's fill-in-the-blank form orders whenever possible.

Court-supplied, fill-in-the-blank orders should be used whenever possible.

INFO

Applies to

Pretrial memo

Pre-trial memos, if submitted, should include the nature of the case, stipulated and contested issues, settlement status, and any other information to educate the judge.

The parties may 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.

INFO

Applies to

Order

Routine orders such as Alias Summons to Issue may be submitted without scheduling a Court date for presentment.

Routine Orders such as Alias Summons to Issue ("ASTT") etc., may be submitted without scheduling a Court date for presentment.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Trial briefs

Any trial briefs, memoranda, or other information may be submitted.

Any trial briefs, memoranda or other information a party wishes to submit.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Pre trial memorandum

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email containing: (1) a summary of the allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages; and (2) the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email containing: (1) a summary of the allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages; and (2) the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Notice of Removal: 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.

Notice of Removal: 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.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Ptc memorandum

PTC memorandums are optional, but plaintiffs must include all claimed damages/liens and defendants must list all coverage levels/carriers if submitted.

PTC memorandums are not required but are welcomed. The Plaintiff shall include all claimed damages and any liens. The Defendant shall list all available levels of coverage and the carrier.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed order

Must include

signature block

Agreed HIPAA and protective orders must be signed by all parties; dismissal orders pursuant to settlement do not require approval and may be submitted via email without an appearance.

The parties may submit the following agreed orders to the Calendar D email without an appearance: 1. Dismissal orders pursuant to settlement (which do not require approval) 2. Agreed HIPAA orders, signed by all parties 3. Agreed Protective Orders

INFO

Applies to

Routine uncontested motion

Must include

proposed order

Routine uncontested motions may be emailed along with a proposed order.

Routine, Uncontested Motions: May be emailed along with a proposed order.

INFO

Applies to

Motion

Motions to amend a previously entered judgment to reflect an updated damages amount may be brought.

Motions to amend a previously entered judgment to reflect an updated damages amount may be brought.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Petition

In SIJS cases, petitions may include language about voluntary relinquishment to satisfy notice when parent's address is unknown or abroad.

For SIJS cases, if the Minor is 18 or older and the parents address is unknown or out of the country you may include language that the parent voluntarily relinquished physical custody of the Minor in the petition to satisfy the notice requirement.

INFO

The court does not provide a court reporter; the party wanting one must order it.

Please note that the court does not provide a court reporter. Therefore, the party wanting a court reporter is responsible for ordering one.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Alias summons order

Orders to issue alias summons may be emailed to the Clerk on the call date without notice or appearance if the Sheriff has attempted service at least once; return dates must stay on the same day/time, except condominium eviction cases originally scheduled Monday get a Wednesday 9:30 a.m. date.

The following draft orders may be emailed to the Clerk ON THE DATE THE SUBJECT CASE IS ON THE CALL, without notice, and appearance before the Court is not required. (i) Orders to issue alias summons on cases where the Cook County Sheriff has attempted service at least one time. Return dates on alias summons must remain on the same day of week at the same time as originally scheduled, EXCEPT, condominium eviction cases originally scheduled for a Monday should be given a Wednesday date at 9:30 a.m. for status on the Alias Summons To Issue.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed settlement order

Agreed settlement orders signed by all parties may be emailed to the Clerk on the call date without notice or appearance; any previously scheduled trial date must be stricken on the order.

(ii) Agreed Settlement Orders where all parties have affixed signature to the order. In the event an Agreed Settlement Order is issued and a trial date has been previously scheduled, the trial date must be stricken on the Agreed Settlement Order.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Appearance

In residential eviction cases, defendants or unknown occupants attending the initial return date may attend without filing an Appearance and will be offered Early Resolution Program resources.

Provided the court has proper jurisdiction, any Defendant or Unknown Occupant in a residential eviction case who is attending court on the initial return date will be offered access to the Early Resolution Program (ERP) resources and will be permitted to attend court without having an Appearance on file pursuant to G.A.O. 2020-09 III (A)(6).

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Voluntary dismissal order

Voluntary dismissal orders by plaintiff may be emailed to the Clerk on the call date without notice or appearance if there is no pending counterclaim, hearing, trial date, or dispositive motion; any previously scheduled trial date must be stricken.

(iii) Voluntary Dismissal Orders by plaintiff where there is no pending counterclaim, hearing, or trial date set and no dispositive motion has been filed. In the event a trial date has been previously scheduled, the trial date must be stricken on the Voluntary Dismissal Order.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed order

Specified agreed orders may be submitted to Courtroom 1906 staff at any time for entry off call without a court date or notice.

The following agreed orders may be submitted to the Courtroom 1906 staff at any time and entered off call (that is, without a court date or notice): settlement orders, voluntary dismissal orders, agreed protective orders, and HIPAA protective orders.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Objection

An objection to a routine motion need not state grounds.

An objection need not state any grounds.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Jury instructions

Illinois Supreme Court's website before submitting any proposed instructions.

Illinois Supreme Court's website before submitting any proposed instructions.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Report

Amended reports may either attach only the court-requested information or highlight new/additional information in the revised report.

If the court requires the receiver to amend or supplement its report, the receiver may either: 1) attach and submit only the information requested by the court; or 2) highlight the new or additional information included in the revised report.

INFO

Applies to

Pre trial memorandum

Pre-trial memoranda may be submitted 3 days before the conference, containing a summary of allegations/defenses, evidence, injuries, damages, and last demand/offer/policy limit.

Parties may submit a pre-trial memorandum by 3 days before the Conference to the Calendar H email containing (1) a summary of the allegations/defenses, evidence, claimed injuries and specials/damages, and; (2) the last demand/offer/policy limit.