18th Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County Document Filing Requirements

Exhibits filed separately from associated documents due to size limits must include DuPage Exhibit Cover Sheet (Form 4393), or may be rejected.

Source text: Any documents or exhibits filed separately from their associated pleading, motion, or document due to size limitations, even if (filed in the same transaction), shall be filed with the DuPage Exhibit Cover Sheet, Form 4393. Exhibits tendered without the appropriate cover sheet may be rejected for filing.

E-filed documents must include typed name, email, address, and phone number of the filer; attorneys must include DuPage County Attorney Number.

Source text: Each electronically filed document shall also include the typed name, email address, address, and telephone number of the attorney or pro se party filing such document. Attorneys shall include their DuPage County Attorney Number on all documents.

First pleadings, appearances, subsequent documents and orders must include attorney/party contact info and attorney ID number.

Source text: The first pleading or appearance and all subsequent documents and orders shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the attorney (or party, if pro se) filing said paper, and an attorney shall also include thereon an attorney identification number.

Attorneys must file an appearance with the Clerk before representing a party in court.

Source text: All attorneys shall file an appearance with the Clerk before addressing the Court on behalf of any represented party.

Attorneys must file an appearance before representing a party in civil or criminal matters.

Source text: An attorney representing a party in any civil or criminal matter shall file an appearance before addressing the Court.

Attorneys must include their DuPage attorney registration identification number on all filings.

Source text: Each attorney shall register with an approved e-filing vendor and provide their DuPage attorney registration identification number on any filings (i.e., Local Rule 1.25).

Exhibits filed separately due to size limits must include DuPage Exhibit Cover Sheet Form 4393, or may be rejected.

Source text: Electronically filed exhibits may be filed with their associated pleading, motion, or document in the same PDF as long as size limits allow for it. Any documents or exhibits filed separately from their associated pleading, motion, or document due to size limitations, even if (filed in the same transaction), shall be filed with the DuPage Exhibit Cover Sheet, Form 4393. Exhibits tendered without the appropriate cover sheet may be rejected for filing.

E-filed pleadings must be formatted per paper pleading rules and include case title, case number, and nature of filing.

Source text: All electronically filed pleadings shall, to the extent practicable, be formatted in accordance with the applicable Rules governing formatting of paper pleadings. Additionally, each electronically filed pleading and document shall include the case title, case number and the nature of the filing.

E-filed documents must include the filing party's typed name, email, address, phone number, and attorneys must include their DuPage County Attorney Number.

Source text: Each electronically filed document shall also include the typed name, email address, address, and telephone number of the attorney or pro se party filing such document. Attorneys shall include their DuPage County Attorney Number on all documents.

Employers moving to vacate a conditional judgment must file an answer with the motion and serve all documents on judgment creditor and debtor.

Source text: When an employer seeks to vacate a conditional judgment, the employer must file an answer at the time the motion to vacate is filed, and must send Notice of Motion, together with an answer and motion to vacate, to the judgment creditor or attorney for the judgment creditor and the judgment debtor.

Multiple-count pleadings must have each count titled with liability/defense theory; titles must designate party subgroups if claims differ.

Source text: If a pleading contains multiple counts or affirmative defenses, each count or defense shall bear a short title concisely stating the theory of liability or defense. If the pleading is filed on behalf of or against multiple parties and all such parties are not asserting the same claims or defenses as to all opposing parties, the title of each count or defense shall also concisely designate the subgroup of parties to whom it pertains.

Motion titles must indicate the relief sought and applicable Code of Civil Procedure section.

Source text: The title to each motion shall indicate the relief sought and the applicable section of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Notice of hearing must designate the judge, action title/number, date, time, and courtroom of the hearing.

Source text: The notice of hearing shall designate the judge to whom the motion will be presented for hearing; shall show the title and number of the action, the date when the motion will be presented, the time it will be presented, and the courtroom where it will be presented.

Mediator's report must be signed by the mediator and designate whether a full agreement, partial agreement, or no agreement was reached.

Source text: The report shall designate “Full Agreement,” “Partial Agreement” or “No Agreement.”

Emergency relief applications must include an affidavit stating reason for emergency, and if without notice, attempts to notify opposing counsel.

Source text: Each application for emergency relief shall be accompanied by an affidavit by the movant or movant’s attorney stating the reason the requested relief is necessary on an emergency basis, and in cases where the request is without notice, except as permitted by law, said affidavit shall state what attempts have been made to notify opposing counsel of the request for emergency relief.

Motions in limine must be presented in writing unless grounds arise during trial.

Source text: All motions in limine must be presented in writing, unless the grounds arise or become apparent during the course of the trial.

In civil jury cases, plaintiff must submit a Statement of the Nature of the Case to the Court and opposing parties, including specified details.

Source text: In all civil jury cases, the plaintiff’s attorney shall prepare and submit to the Court and to each opposing party a Statement of the Nature of the Case. The statement shall include the time, date and location of the alleged transaction or occurrence giving rise to the lawsuit, a brief description of the alleged transaction or occurrence, the name and city of residence (or business) of each of the parties involved and of their attorneys, and a list of witnesses whom the parties expect to call.

Foreign-executed acknowledgments and affidavits under Rule 12.03 must include a certificate from the record keeper stating the authorized person’s details and signature authenticity.

Source text: Acknowledgments and affidavits presented under Rule 12.03 which have been executed outside the State shall be accompanied by a certificate of the proper keeper of records, under the seal of the keeper of records’ office, stating that the person before whom the acknowledgment was made or by whom the oath was administered was duly authorized to take acknowledgments or to administer oaths, and that that person’s signature is believed to be genuine.

Petitions for withdrawal from minor’s account before majority must state account balance, minor’s income, withdrawal amount/purpose, and last prior withdrawal for same purpose.

Source text: A petition for withdrawal from said account prior to the minor reaching the age of majority shall be in writing and shall state the amount in the account at the time of presenting the petition, the annual income available to the minor, the amount and purpose for the withdrawal, and the amount of the last authorization for withdrawal from the account for the same purpose.

Financial institution vouchers for minor settlement funds must include acknowledgment of receipt, copy of settlement order, and specified withdrawal restriction language.

Source text: The voucher from the depository shall acknowledge receipt of the funds and a copy of the order of the Court approving settlement, and shall include the express language that “No withdrawals shall be made from this account, unless authorized by order of Court, at any time prior to (date upon which the minor will reach the age of majority).”

Complaints and summonses in arbitration cases must display "THIS IS AN ARBITRATION CASE" in upper case in the upper right corner.

Source text: The complaint and all summonses shall state in upper case letters on the upper right-hand corner: “THIS IS AN ARBITRATION CASE.”

Complaints and summonses in civil actions eligible for court-ordered mediation must display the specified phrase in upper case on the upper right-hand corner.

Source text: In all civil actions eligible for court-ordered mediation, the complaint and all summonses shall state in upper case letters on the upper right-hand corner, “THIS CASE IS ELIGIBLE FOR COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION.”

Motions to change mediation hearing dates must be verified, include a concise statement of the reason for the change, and comply with Supreme Court Rule 137.

Source text: The motion shall be verified, contain a concise statement of the reason for the change of hearing date and be subject to Supreme Court Rule 137.

Motions to remove a claim from mediation must be verified and include a concise statement of the basis for removal.

Source text: The motion shall be verified and contain a concise statement of the basis for removal from mediation.

Written settlements or dispositive orders in mediation cases must be submitted on or before the scheduled mediation conference date.

Source text: counsel for plaintiff shall immediately notify the Supervising Judge in writing and submit the written settlement or other dispositive order on or before the scheduled mediation conference date.

Residential eviction cases filed after September 20, 2021 must include case caption in summons or attached mediation notice document.

Source text: Cases filed after September 20, 2021 are required to provide notice of the eviction mediation program, notice is to be provided in substantially the following form, in a document which includes the caption for the case and otherwise conforms with all other

Parties (excluding IDHFS) must sign an Affidavit of Venue confirming proper DuPage County venue.

Source text: The parties, other than the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, must sign an Affidavit of Venue to confirm that venue in DuPage County is proper.

Parties seeking default judgment must file an affidavit of due diligence of service attempts.

Source text: (a) A party seeking the entry of a default judgment must file an affidavit of due diligence of service attempts.

Emergency motions require prior notice to opposing party and supporting affidavit per Local Rule 6.08.

Source text: (1) Prior notice to the opposing party and a supporting affidavit pursuant to Local Rule 6.08;

Rule to Show Cause requires proper notice, motion, and verified pleading showing prima facie contempt.

Source text: No Rule to Show Cause shall issue except upon proper Notice and Motion, and except upon a prima facie showing of contempt by verified pleading.

Litigants seeking court costs must submit a written itemization of all costs and amounts, plus a statement that costs are paid, at judgment entry.

Source text: Any litigant seeking court costs shall, at the time judgment is entered, tender to the court, in writing, an itemization specifically and individually listing each and every cost incurred and the amount sought, together with a statement that these costs have been paid.

Biological mothers executing adoption consent must also execute Affidavit of Identification and Non-Support, filed before judgment entry.

Source text: In addition, where the consent is executed by the biological mother, she shall also contemporaneously execute an Affidavit of Identification and an Affidavit of Non-Support. Such Affidavit of Identification and Affidavit of Non-Support shall be filed with the Court prior to the entry of Judgment and shall become a part of the Court record.

Account hearing notices must include language stating approved account is binding absent fraud/accident/mistake.

Source text: If the account is approved by the judge upon hearing, in the absence of fraud, accident or mistake, the account as approved is binding upon all persons to whom this notice is given.

Orders for extended media coverage must use the form prescribed in Appendix C.

Source text: The form of an order for extended media coverage shall be as prescribed in the “Appendix C.”

Interim custody orders for adoptions with unknown absent biological parent require Affidavit of Identification and/or affidavit of search steps.

Source text: In order to make such a showing, the Court will require, at a minimum, an Affidavit of Identification and/or an Affidavit showing factually what steps have been taken to locate and notify the absent biological parent;

Guardians ad Litem must file an appearance within 14 days of appointment in adoption cases.

Source text: In all cases, the Guardian shall file an appearance as Guardian ad Litem for the adoptee within 14 days of appointment.

Petitioners seeking default via publication service must file affidavit detailing search efforts for the absent party.

Source text: Petitioners seeking to default any necessary party to an adoption proceeding based upon service by publication must file a supporting affidavit establishing factually the action taken that demonstrates honest and well directed efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of the person sought to be defaulted by such service. Said affidavit shall detail search efforts, including, but not limited to, searches of military records, the Illinois Department of Corrections, administrative agencies (i.e., the State Disbursement Unit), and all other search efforts.

Affidavit of military service status required for putative father whose identity is known in default cases.

Source text: An affidavit as to military service status of any named person sought to be defaulted must also be filed in all cases where the identity of a putative father has been made known to the Petitioner or any other party to the proceeding.

Counsel must file affidavit of appeal status for parental rights terminations in other circuits or states.

Source text: If such proceedings occurred in any other circuit court of this State or another State, counsel for the petitioner must file an affidavit stating with particularity the status of any such appeal. Such affidavit may reflect the hearsay statement of an identified court official who has advised counsel of the information. Counsel would be well advised, however, to obtain a certified copy of the docket or mandate issued in such cases.

Indigent parties seeking appointed counsel in adoption proceedings must file Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities on 10:00 a.m. call.

Source text: If an individual seeks appointment of counsel, an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities must be completed and presented to the Court for review on the 10:00 a.m. call.

Fee petitions for appointed counsel must be verified/supported by affidavit of time worked, include Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities and order of appointment.

Source text: Requests for fees must be made by Petition either verified or supported by an affidavit detailing the time expended and work performed which was necessary in representing the client’s interest. To facilitate payment, the petition should also include a copy of the Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities signed by the client and the order of appointment.

Petitioner's counsel must submit proposed Judgment of Adoption to Court and GAL 2 business days before judgment date.

Source text: Counsel for the Petitioner shall, two (2) business days prior to the date for entry of Judgment, submit to the Court and the GAL a proposed Judgment of Adoption. The matter will be heard on the date set for judgment by Court order.

GAL must submit consent report or opposing pleading to Court and parties 2 business days before adoption judgment date.

Source text: No later than two (2) business days before the date scheduled for entry of Judgment, the GAL shall cause to be delivered to the Court and counsel and/or all parties, either a completed Report of the Guardian ad Litem consenting to the entry of judgment or a pleading stating why judgment should not be entered. Copies of either document shall be served on all parties of record as required by the Rules.

Co-parent and second parent adoption petitions must include relationship information (length, nature, character).

Source text: In all matters where two unmarried persons seek to adopt a child who is not related to either person (a co-parent adoption), the petitioners shall comply with the provisions of the Adoption Act and this Rule 21 of the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. In addition, the petitioners, in the petition for adoption, shall provide the court with information about the length, nature, and character of the petitioners’ relationship. In matters where a person seeks to adopt the child of another person, and said persons are not married to one another (a second parent adoption), the petitioners shall comply with the provisions of the Adoption Act and this Rule 21 of the Circuit Court for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. In addition, the petitioners, in the petition for adoption, shall provide the court with information about the length, nature, and character of the petitioners’ relationship.

Petitions for confidential intermediary appointment must include proof of registration with Illinois Adoption Registry.

Source text: Any person seeking the appointment of a Confidential Intermediary must accompany the Petition filed with the Court with proof of registration with the Illinois Adoption Registry

A true and correct copy of each special assessment roll must be filed with the Circuit Clerk.

Source text: With each roll spreading a special assessment, there shall be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court a true and correct copy of said roll, which copy the Clerk of this Court may

Motions must be titled to indicate the relief sought and applicable Code of Criminal Procedure or Supreme Court Rule section.

Source text: Unless otherwise dictated by statute or Supreme Court Rule, any application for an order or other relief shall be made by filing a motion. The title to each motion shall indicate the relief sought and the applicable section of the Code of Criminal Procedure or Supreme Court Rule.

Motions not filed in open court must be accompanied by a notice of motion containing specific required content.

Source text: Every motion which is not filed in open court shall be accompanied by a notice of motion. The notice shall designate the judge to whom the motion will be presented for hearing; shall show the title and number of the action, the date when the motion will be presented, the time it will be presented, the courtroom where it will be presented, and the purpose of the motion, including the requested relief.

Speedy trial demands must be in writing, with proper caption and case number, signed and dated by defendant or attorney.

Source text: All demands for trial, pursuant to the Code of Criminal Procedure [725 ILCS 5/103-5(b)], shall be made in the following manner: (1) In writing with proper caption and case number signed and dated by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney;

Speedy trial demand copy must be filed with the Circuit Clerk with proof of service on the State’s Attorney.

Source text: (3) A copy of the demand shall be filed with the Clerk of this Court with proof of service on the State’s Attorney.

Attorneys representing defendants in felony or misdemeanor cases must file a written appearance and serve it on the prosecution before addressing the Court.

Source text: An attorney representing a defendant in any felony or misdemeanor case shall file a written appearance and serve same upon the prosecution before addressing the Court.

Requests for extended media coverage must use the form prescribed in Appendix C.

Source text: The form of a request for extended media coverage shall be as prescribed in “Appendix C.”

Party objections to extended media coverage must use the form prescribed in Appendix C.

Source text: The form of a party’s objection to extended media coverage shall be as prescribed in “Appendix C.”

Witness objections to extended media coverage must use the form prescribed in Appendix C.

Source text: The form of a witness’s objection to extended media coverage shall be as prescribed in “Appendix C.”

Routine motions should be accompanied by a Notice of Motion stating it is for the Routine Motion Call and desired order entry date.

Source text: To facilitate the Court’s business, every Routine Motion should be accompanied by a Notice of Motion, regardless of whether notice is required, stating that the matter is to be heard on the Routine Motion Call and containing the date that counsel wishes to have the order entered.

Jury trial waivers may be evidenced by an approved waiver form supplied by the Circuit Clerk.

Source text: If, after proper admonition pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/103-6 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the defendant elects to waive the right to trial by jury, such waiver shall be made in open court and may be evidenced by execution of an approved waiver form supplied by the Clerk.