Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 118 rules apply across Circuit Court of Cook County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Communication

All 59
  • Contact
    Email

    Questions, comments, or concerns about the eFileIL e-filing system should be directed to Tyler Technologies at efiling.support@tylertech.com.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Courtesy copies for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to daniel.degnan@cookcountyil.gov.

  • Contact
    Phone to chambers
    Phone
    (312) 603-5943

    Judge Daniel R. Degnan's chambers phone number is (312) 603-5943.

Filing Timing

All 12
  • Deadline
    60 calendar days

    Attorney fee petitions for court-appointed attorneys must be filed within 60 days after final order or 6 months after service/cost, whichever is earlier.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Guardianship agreed order requests must be filed and submitted 2-5 business days prior to the scheduled court date.

  • Deadline
    2 business days

    Guardians must email annual reports and guardian training certificates in PDF format, one email per case, 2-5 business days prior to assigned court date.

Filing Requirements

All 11
  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    Chancery Division complaints must include specific caption designations based on the relief sought.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    caption

    Motions to correct errors in criminal cases must be in writing, accompanied by affidavit, and notice must be served on the prosecution.

  • Applies to
    Complaint
    Must include
    caption

    All initiating papers must include the court name and department/division/district in the caption; small claims complaints must be endorsed 'Small Claims'.

E-Filing

All 9
  • Applies to
    Civil case filing

    E-filing is mandatory for all Cook County civil cases through the eFileIL system as of July 1, 2018, except Quasi-Criminal, Housing, and Wills cases.

  • Applies to
    Verified status report

    Attorneys must e-file a verified status report via Odyssey system before submitting decedent's estate agreed order requests.

  • Attorneys must maintain accurate email address in Odyssey e-filing system and be filed as attorney of record to receive entered orders via email.

About Judge Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Practitioners will find a standing order for the law calendar, effective August 13, 2025.

Common questions about Judge Sarah Johnson's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sarah Johnson?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for all covered filings. Details: delivery upon filing, by chambers drop off. Courtesy copies must be provided in hard copy format in the courtesy copy bin outside Courtroom 2203.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. General Procedures

What must be included with petition for settlement approval filings before Judge Sarah Johnson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Settlement approval petitions must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language where required.

View ruleSource: page 5, section IV. Petitions for Approval of Settlements

What must be included with pre trial memorandum filings before Judge Sarah Johnson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The pre-trial memorandum must contain a summary of allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages, plus the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

View ruleSource: page 5, section VI. Pre-Trial Conferences

How may parties contact Judge Sarah Johnson's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Sarah Johnson's chambers. The rule lists email Law.calCcc@cookcountyil.gov. Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar C email and include all parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. General Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sarah Johnson?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Settlement approval petitions must be emailed to chambers unfiled and must not be filed until the Court approves them.

View ruleSource: page 5, section IV. Petitions for Approval of Settlements

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Sarah Johnson?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Each party must deliver an unfiled pre-trial memorandum by email to the court at least three days before the pre-trial conference.

View ruleSource: page 5, section VI. Pre-Trial Conferences
Complete rules summary for Judge Sarah Johnson

Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar C email and include all parties.

Do not create a new email thread if one already exists for the case.

Courtesy copies must be provided in hard copy format in the courtesy copy bin outside Courtroom 2203.

Agreed dismissal orders may be emailed to the Court or placed in the courtesy copy bin.

Agreed dismissal orders pursuant to settlement must identify whether minors or wrongful death claims are involved.

Settlement approval petitions must be emailed to chambers unfiled and must not be filed until the Court approves them.

Settlement approval petitions must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language where required.

After Court approval, counsel may file the settlement petition and, if necessary, schedule a hearing date for presentment.

Pre-trial conferences may be scheduled in open court or by email to the Calendar C email account.

Each party must deliver an unfiled pre-trial memorandum by email to the court at least three days before the pre-trial conference.

The pre-trial memorandum must contain a summary of allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages, plus the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

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