18th Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County Electronic Filing Rules

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil case filings

All civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Order entered January 16, 2018, and in reference to Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

CRITICALCivil cases

Pro se parties must register for e-filing using a valid credit card, debit card, or other valid electronic payment method.

Pro se parties shall register using a valid credit card, debit card, or other valid electronic payment method.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Physical exhibits and sealed documents

Items that cannot be meaningfully e-filed—like sealed documents and physical exhibits—must be filed physically at the Clerk's Office or in the courtroom.

Items not conducive to electronic filing, such as documents under seal and physical exhibits for which an image will not suffice shall be filed in their physical form at the Clerk’s Office or in the Courtroom, as directed by order of the court and in conformity with Supreme Court “Electronic Filing Standards and Principles.”

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summons

Summons with a required court date must be filed in a separate electronic transaction from the complaint, after the complaint is filed and assigned a case number and court location.

Summons that require a court date shall be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint. The summons may be filed electronically after the Circuit Clerk has filed the complaint, assigned a case number and court location.

CRITICAL

The filing party or attorney must confirm approval of all required signatories, including non-parties and unregistered persons.

The filing party or attorney must confirm approval of all persons, persons not a party to the case or not registered persons, required to sign the document.

CRITICAL

All civil case filings must be made electronically beginning January 1, 2016.

Pursuant to a letter dated November 6, 2015, from the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, commencing January 1, 2016, all fillings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Discovery documents

Discovery documents (depositions, interrogatories, answers/responses and other discovery materials) generally must not be filed with the Clerk; filing is allowed only when the Court orders it, the filing is necessary to resolve a dispute, or Supreme Court Rule 207 requires it, and the rule does not apply to requests to admit facts.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, depositions, interrogatories, answers, or responses thereto and other discovery documents, shall not be filed with the Clerk of the Court, except as necessary to resolve disputed issues of procedure, fact, or substantive law or pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 207. Rule 7.02 shall not apply to requests to admit facts or to the answers or responses thereto.

CRITICAL

Attorneys must register with an approved e-filing vendor and provide their DuPage attorney registration ID on filings; pro se parties register using a credit/debit card or other valid electronic payment method.

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). Pro se parties shall register using a valid credit card, debit card, or other valid electronic payment method.

CRITICAL

Original signatures of non-electronic filers must be obtained before the document is filed.

Original signatures of all non-electronic filers must be obtained before filing the document.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Civil case

Commencing January 1, 2016, all civil case fillings must be made electronically.

Pursuant to a letter dated November 6, 2015, from the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, commencing January 1, 2016, all fillings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil case filing

All fillings in civil cases must be made electronically beginning January 1, 2016.

Pursuant to a letter dated November 6, 2015, from the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, commencing January 1, 2016, all fillings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing).

CRITICAL

The filing party must retain the original document for one year after the judgment becomes final.

The filing party must retain the original document until one year after the date that the judgment has become final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil document

All civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Order entered January 16, 2018, and in reference to Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Summons requiring a court date must be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint.

Summons that require a court date shall be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Ex parte complaint

Ex parte complaints/petitions for emergency relief must be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk before applying to the Court, during court hours.

Every complaint or petition requesting an ex parte order for the appointment of a receiver, temporary restraint, preliminary injunction or any other emergency relief, shall be filed in the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk, if during court hours, before application to the Court for the order.

CRITICAL

Electronic filings made with a user ID and password are deemed personally signed by the account holder when no facsimile or typographical signature is used.

In the absence of a facsimile or typographical signature, any document electronically filed with a user’s identification and password is deemed to have been personally signed by the holder of the user identification and password.

CRITICAL

Documents with third-party signatures may be filed electronically with a facsimile or typographical signature; the filing party must confirm approval of all required signatories.

Documents containing signatures of one or more persons or third parties may be filed electronically and shall bear a facsimile or typographical signature. The filing party or attorney must confirm approval of all persons, persons not a party to the case or not registered persons, required to sign the document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

A summons that requires a court date must be filed as its own separate electronic filing transaction, not combined with the complaint.

Summons that require a court date shall be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint.

CRITICAL

The document must identify each non-registered signatory.

The document must indicate the identity of each non-registered signatory.

CRITICAL

Documents filed electronically using verified user authentication are deemed signed by the authentication holder.

Any document filed electronically, including all pleadings, motions, documents, etc., using a verified user authentication shall be deemed to have been signed by the holder of the user authentication.

CRITICAL

Facsimile or typographical signatures are permitted on electronic filings and are deemed personal signatures.

Documents containing facsimile or typographical signatures may be filed electronically and shall be deemed to have been signed in person by the individual identified.

CRITICAL

Applies to

All civil filings

As of January 1, 2016, all filings in civil cases must be made electronically.

(b) Pursuant to a letter dated November 6, 2015, from the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, commencing January 1, 2016, all fillings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil document

Civil documents must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor, though paper filings may be accepted under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

Any document to be filed in a civil cause or proceeding, except as set for the 2.02(e) below, must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor. Paper filings may be accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

CRITICALCivil cases

Attorneys must register with an approved e-filing vendor and provide their DuPage attorney registration ID on all filings.

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).

CRITICAL

Without a facsimile or typographical signature, an electronically filed document using a user's ID and password is deemed personally signed by that user.

In the absence of a facsimile or typographical signature, any document electronically filed with a user’s identification and password is deemed to have been personally signed by the holder of the user identification and password.

CRITICALCivil cases

Approved EFSPs for eFileIL and e-filing vendors with executed agreements with the Circuit Clerk are appointed as the Clerk’s agent for e-filing, service, and document retrieval.

Approved EFSP’s for eFileIL and E-Filing vendor(s) with Electronic Information Project Agreements executed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court are hereby appointed to be the agent of the Clerk of the Circuit Court regarding electronic filing, receipt, service and/or retrieval of any pleading or document via the e-filing vendor system.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil document

Civil-case documents must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor, except guardianship reports under 2.02(e); paper filings may be accepted under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

Any document to be filed in a civil cause or proceeding, except as set for the 2.02(e) below, must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor. Paper filings may be accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

CRITICAL

Judge and other necessary electronic signatures must be captured, maintained, and protected with security tokens and encrypted passwords.

All Judges’ and other necessary electronic signatures shall be captured and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Each signature shall be protected by internal system security measures and use security tokens and encrypted passwords to authenticate the use of the e-signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil case filing

All civil case filings must be electronically filed through the statewide eFileIL system beginning July 1, 2019.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Order entered January 16, 2018, and in reference to Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents using verified user authentication are deemed signed by the authentication holder; documents with facsimile or typographical signatures are deemed signed in person.

Any document filed electronically, including all pleadings, motions, documents, etc., using a verified user authentication shall be deemed to have been signed by the holder of the user authentication. Documents containing facsimile or typographical signatures may be filed electronically and shall be deemed to have been signed in person by the individual identified.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Summons requiring a court date must be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint, and may be e-filed only after the complaint is filed and a case number and court location are assigned.

Summons that require a court date shall be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint. The summons may be filed electronically after the Circuit Clerk has filed the complaint, assigned a case number and court location.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil case filings

All civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system beginning July 1, 2019.

(c) Pursuant to Supreme Court Order entered January 16, 2018, and in reference to Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

CRITICAL

Bulk filings combining multiple cases or documents into one PDF are not accepted; documents with different case numbers must be filed separately, while individual documents in the same case may be filed in a single transaction.

Bulk filings of multiple cases or multiple documents combined into one PDF document shall not be accepted. Documents with different case numbers must be filed individually in separate transactions. Filing of individual documents within the same case will be accepted in a single electronic filing transaction.

CRITICAL

Documents with third-party signatures may be filed electronically but must include a facsimile or typographical signature.

Documents containing signatures of one or more persons or third parties may be filed electronically and shall bear a facsimile or typographical signature.

CRITICAL

Documents with different case numbers must be filed in separate transactions.

Documents with different case numbers must be filed individually in separate transactions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

The Financial Affidavit must not be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

The Financial Affidavit shall not be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sealed documents and non image physical exhibits

Sealed documents and physical exhibits that cannot be imaged must be filed in physical form at the Clerk’s Office or in the courtroom, while the motion and notice of motion for permission to file such items may be e-filed.

Items not conducive to electronic filing, such as documents under seal and physical exhibits for which an image will not suffice shall be filed in their physical form at the Clerk’s Office or in the Courtroom, as directed by order of the court and in conformity with Supreme Court “Electronic Filing Standards and Principles.” The Motion and Notice of Motion for permission to file any of these physical items may be done electronically.

CRITICAL

A clerk's typed name on an electronic document is deemed the clerk's signature when endorsement is required.

Where a Clerk is required to endorse a document, the typed name of the clerk shall be deemed to be the clerk’s signature on an electronic document.

CRITICAL

Original signed documents electronically filed under the listed subparagraphs must be maintained and preserved as required by Rule 5.07.

An original signed document that has been electronically filed pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) above, shall be maintained and preserved as required by Rule 5.07.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery documents

Discovery documents must not be filed with the Clerk except when needed to resolve disputed issues or under Supreme Court Rule 207.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, depositions, interrogatories, answers, or responses thereto and other discovery documents, shall not be filed with the Clerk of the Court, except as necessary to resolve disputed issues of procedure, fact, or substantive law or pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 207. Rule 7.02 shall not apply to requests to admit facts or to the answers or responses thereto.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Civil case

Effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Order entered January 16, 2018, and in reference to Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, effective July 1, 2019, all civil case filings must be electronically filed using the statewide eFileIL system.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil document

(b) Any document to be filed in a civil cause or proceeding, except as set for the 2.02(e) below, must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor. Paper filings may be accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

(b) Any document to be filed in a civil cause or proceeding, except as set for the 2.02(e) below, must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing vendor. Paper filings may be accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c).

CRITICAL

Signatures defined in the listed subparagraphs satisfy court rules and statutes and may subject violators to sanctions.

Signatures as defined in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), and (h), satisfy Supreme Court Rules and statutes regarding signatures, and give rise to the application of available sanctions when appropriate.

CRITICAL

Original signatures of non-electronic filers must be obtained before filing, the document must identify each non-registered signatory, and the filing party must retain the original for one year after judgment becomes final.

Original signatures of all non-electronic filers must be obtained before filing the document. The document must indicate the identity of each non-registered signatory. The filing party must retain the original document until one year after the date that the judgment has become final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review.

CRITICAL

All filings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing) commencing January 1, 2016.

Pursuant to a letter dated November 6, 2015, from the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, commencing January 1, 2016, all fillings in civil cases must be made electronically (e-filing).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons

Summons requiring a court date must be filed as a separate electronic filing from the complaint, and only after the clerk assigns a case number and court location.

Summons that require a court date shall be filed in a separate electronic filing transaction from the complaint. The summons may be filed electronically after the Circuit Clerk has filed the complaint, assigned a case number and court location.

WARNING

Conventional paper filing remains available subject to Rule 2.02(a) and (b); the e-filing program must not prevent valid filings, and the Clerk scans conventionally filed documents into the electronic file.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court shall allow the filing of a document or pleading using the conventional manner of filing subject to Rule 2.02(a) and (b). At no time shall the e- filing program prevent or exclude the ability to file and valid pleading with the Clerk of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. In those circumstances, the Clerk shall scan conventionally filed documents into the electronic

WARNING

Applies to

Any document or pleading

Conventional paper filings must be accepted by the Clerk even in e-file cases, and the e-filing program cannot prevent filing a valid pleading.

(b) The Clerk of the Circuit Court shall allow the filing of a document or pleading using the conventional manner of filing subject to Rule 2.02(a) and (b). At no time shall the e- filing program prevent or exclude the ability to file and valid pleading with the Clerk of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. In those circumstances, the Clerk shall scan conventionally filed documents into the electronic file.

WARNING

Applies to

Document or pleading

Conventional paper filing remains permitted subject to Rule 2.02(a)-(b) and must never be excluded by the e-filing system; paper filings will be scanned into the electronic file.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court shall allow the filing of a document or pleading using the conventional manner of filing subject to Rule 2.02(a) and (b). At no time shall the e-filing program prevent or exclude the ability to file and valid pleading with the Clerk of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. In those circumstances, the Clerk shall scan conventionally filed documents into the electronic file.

WARNING

Applies to

Disclosure statement

Disclosure statements may not be filed with the Clerk unless the court orders otherwise.

No disclosure statement shall be filed with the Clerk, except on order of the court.