Circuit Court of Cook County Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Plaintiffs must use an approved summons form (Attachment 1 template, the Clerk's summons, or the Illinois Standardized Form Summons), and the summons must include a copy of the ERP notice.

Plaintiffs shall use either the most current template form summons in Attachment 1, the summons available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, or the Illinois Standardized Form Summons. Either summons shall include a copy of the notice of ERP pursuant to Section III(A)(1)(a).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Alias summons

Where an alias summons is issued to effectuate service, the plaintiff must include the same ERP notice with the Alias Summons, and may also post notice of the ERP at the property address.

In any case where an alias summons needs to be issued to effectuate service, including pending cases, plaintiff shall include the same notice of ERP with the Alias Summons. Plaintiff may also post notice of the ERP at the property address in addition to the Alias Summons notice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judgment order

A judgment order against an unrepresented litigant may only be entered if the litigant appears in court and confirms they had an opportunity to meet with an ERP attorney to review the agreement.

For any order that enters judgment against an unrepresented litigant, the judgment order shall not be entered by the Court unless the unrepresented litigant appears in court and confirms they have had an opportunity to meet with an ERP attorney to review the terms of the agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Complaints under § 9-102(a)(1)/(3) must attest that defendant never had a rental agreement or paid rent, and attach supporting affidavits/documents.

In a complaint filed under 735 ILCS 5/9-102(a)(1) or (3), Plaintiff shall: i) attest that Defendant has never had a written or unwritten rental agreement for the premises with Plaintiff, owner or owner's agent (past or present) and has never paid rent (or had rent paid on their behalf) for the premises to Plaintiff, owner or owner's agent (past or present). For purposes of this Paragraph, "rent" includes regularly recurring housing expenses (e.g. utility bills, mortgage payments); and ii) attach affidavit(s) supporting the factual allegations in the complaint made pursuant to Paragraph 4(b)(i), above, and any supporting documents.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to transfer

Must include

proposed order

Motions to transfer must include exhibits of service attempts, residency evidence, and a proposed order with signature blocks for both the trial judge and presiding judge.

Motions to transfer venue to another District or County should include as exhibits all service attempts by the sheriff and/or private process server. The motion should also include as an exhibit all evidence that demonstrates the defendant currently resides in the District or County you are seeking to have the case transferred such as a TLO, USPS address report, vehicle registration or other investigative report. A proposed order should be provided on the proper form which has a signature block for both the trial judge and the presiding judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of early resolution program

Must include

certificate of service

The plaintiff must file the Notice of Early Resolution Program with the Clerk, including a certificate of service pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109.

The plaintiff shall file the "Notice of Early Resolution Program" with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, including a certificate of service pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Complaints under § 9-120 must identify the alleged conduct in sufficient detail and attach supporting affidavits or documents.

In a complaint filed under 735 ILCS 5/9-120, Plaintiff shall: i) identify the alleged conduct as provided in 735 ILCS 5/9-120 in sufficient detail to prepare a defense, including dates of the alleged conduct; and ii) attach affidavit(s) supporting the factual allegations in the complaint made pursuant to Paragraph 4(a)(i), above, and/or supporting document(s) (e.g., police report, private security incident report, photos, etc.).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Default judgment

Must include

certificate of service

Default judgment motions require the attorney to represent that service was made, notice was given, and the appropriate affidavits were filed.

When presenting Motions for Default Judgments the attorney is making a representation to the Court that service has been made upon the defendant, that the defendant was given notice of the Court proceeding that day (Proof of Notice - See Circuit Court Rule 2.1), and that the appropriate affidavit(s) have been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

Proposed orders for consumer debt and post-judgment calls must be submitted to Room 209 48 hours before the calls via email, or the case may be dismissed or stricken.

For the attorneys, please note that all proposed Orders for the consumer debt and post-judgment calls are to be submitted to Room 209 48-hours before the calls via email to Courtroom Email: d6crt209orders@cookcountycourt.com. Failure to submit an order to the Court in advance may result in the case being involuntarily dismissed for want of prosecution, or stricken from the call.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Plaintiffs initiating consumer debt actions must include a notice of the ERP with the summons in English, Spanish, and Polish, attached to the summons filed with the Clerk.

Any plaintiff initiating a new consumer debt action in any of the districts of the Municipal Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County shall include a notice of the ERP with the summons in English, Spanish, & Polish. The notice shall be attached to a copy of the summons filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of erp

Must include

certificate of service

Plaintiffs must file the Notice of Early Resolution Program with the Clerk, including a certificate of service pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109.

The plaintiff shall file the "Notice of Early Resolution Program" with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, including a certificate of service pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109, any case filed since March 27, 2020.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Plaintiffs must use the appropriate consumer debt summons that complies with debt collection regulations and includes a copy of the ERP notice.

Plaintiffs shall use the appropriate summons for Consumer Debt Actions that complies with any and all regulations associated with debt collection and include a copy of the notice of ERP pursuant to Section III(B)(1(a). (See Attachment 2.)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed order

Agreed orders involving unrepresented litigants must include specific language confirming the defendant's understanding of their right to consult a free attorney.

The order must include the following language: "The parties acknowledge that the defendant has been served with the Notice of ERP and prior to entering into this settlement agreement, the defendant confirms that: 1) I understand that I can speak to a free attorney about this agreement before I sign it. 2) I called and talked with an attorney, and now I want to sign this agreement, or I decided not to talk to an attorney, and I want to sign the agreement anyway. 3) I understand that an attorney may not be able to help me after I have signed the agreement."

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

The Summons must prominently state that the eviction action differs from an ERP eviction and include information about the ERP hotline and free legal aid availability.

The Summons shall include prominent and specific information that the eviction action is different than an ERP eviction. The summons shall also include specific information about the availability of the ERP program hotline and the ability to connect to free legal aid.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Plaintiffs filing new eviction actions must include a notice of the ERP with the summons in English, Spanish, and Polish, attached to the copy of the summons filed with the Clerk.

When eviction cases are filed, any plaintiff initiating a new eviction action in any of the districts of the Municipal Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County shall include a notice of the ERP with the summons in English, Spanish, and Polish. The notice shall be attached to a copy of the summons filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Complaints under § 9-102(a)(7) must identify the condominium owner and allege no known tenant or lease on file.

In a complaint filed under 735 ILCS 5/9-102(a)(7), Plaintiff shall: i) identify the owner of the condominium property; and ii) allege that Plaintiff is not aware that a known tenant resides, occupies, or has a current written lease with the unit owner and there is no lease on file as required under Section 18 (n) of the ILCPA.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint and summons

Plaintiffs proceeding under this order must designate on both the Complaint and Summons the relevant section of the Eviction Act under which the eviction is filed.

A Plaintiff proceeding under this General Administrative Order shall designate that it is filing the eviction action under the relevant section of the Eviction Act listed in Paragraph 4(a), above, on the Complaint and Summons.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed order

For agreed orders involving unrepresented litigants, the plaintiff must file a motion on the regular motion call with notice to the unrepresented litigant.

The plaintiff must file a motion on the regular motion call with notice to the unrepresented litigant

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions must be supported by an affidavit or verification stating with particularity the sudden circumstances giving rise to the emergency and why the matter should take precedence.

Generally, facts identifying the nature of the sudden or unforeseen circumstances which give rise to the emergency and the reason why the matter should take precedence shall be stated with particularity in an affidavit or verification in support of the emergency motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre conference materials

Pre-conference materials must include electronic media usage and setup time, trial briefs or memoranda, proposed voir dire questions, and counsel contact information.

i. Indicate whether electronic media will be used by counsel (i.e. projector, video, etc.) during the trial and whether time for setup is required; j. Any trial briefs, memoranda or other information a party wishes to submit; k. Potential questions each party wants the Court to ask the venire. The Court will allow each attorney to ask relevant and reasonable voir dire; 1. Contact information for counsel, including cell phone number and email address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial conference materials

At the pre-trial conference (held at least a week before trial), all parties must have trial lawyer's appearance, fully briefed motions in limine, marked exhibit list with objections noted, deposition objections and transcripts, stipulations/admissions per SCR 216, Rule 213 disclosures, proposed jury instructions (2 sets), and a trial length estimate.

The scheduled pre-trial conference of any jury trial will occur at least the week before the trial date. At the conference, all parties must have: a. Trial Lawyer's Appearance; b. Fully briefed motions in limine; c. An exhibit list with all exhibits marked. In the event of objections, the nature of the objections must be noted (i.e. foundation, relevance, motion in limine, etc.); d. Identification of all objections from evidence depositions which require a ruling by the Court and a copy of the transcripts; e. Any stipulations and admissions of fact per SCR 216; f. A copy of all Rule 213 disclosures; g. Proposed and exchanged jury instructions (2 sets – one with IPI numbering and citations and one "clean" copy for the Jury); h. Estimate regarding the length of trial;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Voir dire materials

Prior to voir dire, counsel must provide the Court a short statement of the case and a witness list.

**B. Prior to voir dire, counsel must provide the Court (9:30 am)** 1. Short statement of the case to be read to the jury in voir dire, including how long the trial will last. 2. Witness list to be read to jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of motion

All notices of motion must use the specified template including date, time, motion description, and email address.

The following template shall be used for all notices of motion: On at 9:00 AM, I shall electronically submit the attached: Motion for to the Honorable Judge Cleary via email address ccc.lawcr2303@cookcountyil.gov.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit list

A jointly prepared list of all exhibits with objections noted must be provided.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of case

A short statement of the case, including trial length, must be provided for voir dire.

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

Witness list

A jointly prepared witness list must be provided for reading to the jury.

Jointly prepared witness list to be read to the jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

Two copies of proposed jury instructions must be provided: one marked and sorted by IPI, one unmarked.

Two copies of proposed jury instructions (1 marked, numbered and sorted in order of the IPI system and 1 unmarked).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motions in limine

Copies of each party's motions in limine must be provided.

Copies of each party’s motions in limine.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Rule 213 disclosures

Copies of all Rule 213 disclosures must be provided.

A copy of all Rule 213 disclosures.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Rule 216 requests

A list of Rule 216 Requests for Admission and responses must be provided.

A list of each party’s Supreme Court Rule 216 Request for Admission of Facts and responses thereto.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Stipulations

Any stipulations between the parties must be provided.

Any stipulations between the parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion response

Respondents seeking discovery before motion response must file an affidavit per Illinois Supreme Court Rule 191(b).

If the respondent seeks discovery before responding to the motion, an affidavit pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 191(b) will be required.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Briefing schedule order

Must include

proposed order

Briefing schedule orders must use the court’s form, include due dates, and submit hard courtesy copies.

In the event a briefing schedule is provided, the parties shall complete the court’s form order located in 2202. The parties must complete the form with due dates identified by the Court. Additionally, the form order requires submission of hard courtesy copies to the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed motion

Must include

proposed order

Parties may submit Agreed Motions (with accompanying draft orders marked “Agreed”) at any time by emailing law.calbcc@cookcountyil.gov and narrating in the email it is agreed by all parties as an Agreed Motion.

Parties may submit Agreed Motions (with accompanying draft orders marked “Agreed”) at any time by emailing law.calbcc@cookcountyil.gov and narrating in the email it is agreed by all parties as an Agreed Motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

Emergency motions must detail the grounds for emergency hearing.

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

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement petition

Must include

proposed order

Settlement petitions for minors, disabled, survival, or wrongful death must use the court form with submission date.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

Must include

proposed order

Emergency motions must include a proposed order.

Emergency Motions with a proposed Order must be submitted via email (with notice to all parties) to Calendar B email account by 4:00 p.m. to be heard at 9:15 a.m. the next day.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management order

Must include

proposed order

Initial CMC orders must use prescribed Category 1 or 2 forms, with dates calculated from complaint filing date, deviations identified.

The parties must use one of the prescribed form orders—Category 1 or 2. The dates utilized on the order must be calculated based upon the filing date of the complaint. Any substantial deviation from the prescribed dates in the draft order presented to the Court must be expressly identified for the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

Parties must email an agreed proposed order after any court appearance, including required identifying and remote appearance details.

After any appearance in Court, the Parties must email an agreed proposed order to ccc.chancerycalendar4@cookcountyil.gov. The Court requests that the parties: ● Use the fillable PDF Calendar 4 Case Management Order (available at https://www.cookcountycourt.org/Judges-Pages/Conlon-Alison) or use Word format, so the Court can make changes if needed. ● Identify the parties that appeared and did not appear (if any). ● State the date of the appearance. ● 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

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion for default judgment

Must include

proposed order

Default judgment motions require notice, summons, motion, draft order, operative complaint, and supporting materials.

With the motion for default judgment, the movant must provide: ● The notice, summons showing service, and motion for default judgment; ● A draft judgment order specifying the precise relief sought; ● A copy of the operative complaint; and ● Any other materials supporting the movant’s burden of showing a prima facie case for the relief sought. See 735 ILCS 5/2-1301(d).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion to hold in default

Must include

certificate of service

The Court requires a courtesy copy of: o The notice, summons showing service, and motion; o An attorney’s signed and certified statement that the Clerk’s electronic docket indicates that the defendant has not filed an appearance or answer; and o A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.

The Court requires a courtesy copy of: o The notice, summons showing service, and motion; o An attorney’s signed and certified statement that the Clerk’s electronic docket indicates that the defendant has not filed an appearance or answer; and o A military affidavit, if the default is against a person.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

Each party should deliver to the court at least two days before the pre-trial conference 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

Each party should deliver to the court at least two days before the pre-trial conference 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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Attorneys and self-represented litigants with email must include email address on appearances, pleadings, and briefs for service under Rule 131(d).

Pursuant to ISCR 11(b), an attorney must include on the appearance and on all pleadings and briefs filed in court an email address to which documents and notices will be served in conformity with Rule 131(d). A self-represented litigant who has an email address must also include the email address on the appearance and on all pleadings and briefs filed in court to which documents and notices will be served in conformity with Rule 131(d).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Emergency motions must include proposed order and introductory paragraph stating emergency grounds, submitted via email by 9:30 AM.

Emergency Motions with a proposed Order must be submitted by 9:30 AM via email and include an introductory paragraph stating the grounds for the emergency.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of motion

Must include

proposed order, certificate of service

Routine motion documents must be served on all parties before entry; notice of motion must include proof of service and draft order.

All documents for routine motions, including notices, motions, exhibits, affidavits, and orders, must be served on all parties prior to entry of the order. The notice of motion must state the specific motion being presented, and must include proof of service and a draft order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition to approve settlement

Settlement petitions must comply with Local Rules 6.4, 6.5, and specified Memorandum requirements.

Follow the requirements set out in Local Rules 6.4 and 6.5 and in Memorandum for Final Procedures Concerning Disposition of Minors and Disabled Persons Personal Injury Cases, Survival Actions, and Wrongful Death Cases with Sample Petitions and Orders (April 2026).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Routine motion

Must include

case number, certificate of service

What is required in the email for a routine/agreed motion? Specify the case name, case number, motion type, substance of the motion, and include the relevant attachments. The motion must be served on all parties prior to entry of the order.

What is required in the email for a routine/agreed motion? Specify the case name, case number, motion type, substance of the motion, and include the relevant attachments. The motion must be served on all parties prior to entry of the order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Case management order

CMOs must use the prescribed form, with filing date and trial setting/trial date on top of each order.

Parties must the prescribed form order and indicate the filing date as well as the trial setting date, or trial date, on the top of each order. See Appendix A.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial memorandum

Must include

case number

At least two 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 two 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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Agreed dismissal order

Agreed dismissal orders must strike all future court dates.

Agreed dismissal orders must strike all future Court dates.