Circuit Court of Franklin County, Illinois (2nd Judicial Circuit) Document Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading or entry of appearance

Must include

caption, case number

A civil pleading or appearance must identify the circuit, county, parties and their designations, and case number or the clerk will not accept it.

In all civil cases, the Clerk shall not accept for filing any document purporting to be a pleading or entry of appearance unless the document clearly sets forth the name of the circuit and the county, the names and designation of the parties and the case number.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of motion

Must include

case number

A motion-hearing notice must state the action title and number, hearing date and time, and nature of the motion.

Any notice of hearing shall contain the title and number of the action and the date and time when the motion is to be heard or presented, and shall state the nature of the motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of motion

The motion-hearing notice must include the written motion and supporting papers or state that those materials were previously served.

A copy of any written motions and of all papers presented therewith, or a statement that such motions and papers previously have been served shall accompany the notice.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A motion concerning disputed discovery material must be accompanied by copies of the relevant disputed discovery portions.

If relief is sought concerning any deposition, interrogatory, request for production or inspection, request for admission, answer to interrogatory or response to request for admission, copies of the portion of the deposition, interrogatory, request, answer or response in dispute shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court contemporaneously with any motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial or motion discovery submission

Reasonably anticipated discovery portions needed for a motion or trial must be filed with the motion or at the outset of trial.

If interrogatories, requests, answers, responses or depositions are to be used at trial or are necessary to a motion, the portions to be used shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court at the outset of the trial or at the filing of the motion, insofar as their use reasonably can be anticipated.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Order or judgment

Must include

proposed order

When a judge rules on a motion outside trial or finally determines an action, the prevailing party’s attorney must promptly prepare and present the order or judgment to the court, other counsel, and any pro se parties, unless the court directs otherwise.

When a judge rules upon a motion other than in the course of a trial or makes a final determination in any action, the attorney for the prevailing party shall promptly prepare and present to the court, other counsel and any pro se parties the order or judgment to be entered, unless the court directs otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Matrimonial affidavit

A moving party in a matrimonial proceeding must file the prescribed affidavit before a hearing, except when emergency relief is sought or good cause leads the court to direct otherwise.

In all matrimonial proceedings, including, but not limited to, petitions for attorney's fees, court costs, temporary maintenance or child support, permanent maintenance or child support and modification of any previous orders relating thereto, the moving party shall prepare and file an affidavit in substantially the form which is required by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge, prior to any hearing unless emergency relief is sought or unless, for good cause shown, the court directs otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement conference submission

Each party must file a prescribed financial affidavit and settlement-conference memorandum, with a copy to the opposing party, at least seven days before the conference.

Each party must file a financial affidavit and settlement conference memorandum, substantially the form required by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge, with a copy to the opposing party, at least seven days before the settlement conference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Order declaring heirship

Must include

proposed order

When filing the statutory heirship affidavit, the representative must submit a separate proposed Order Declaring Heirship reflecting the affidavit's concluding section.

At the time of filing of an affidavit pursuant to Section 5-3 of the Probate Act, the representative shall submit to the Circuit Clerk a separate proposed Order Declaring Heirship which shall reflect the language contained in the concluding section of the affidavit.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation prerequisite submission

The parties must file financial affidavits and pre-mediation questionnaires with the clerk at least seven days before the applicable case-management conference.

The parties shall also file financial affidavits and pre-mediation questionnaires with the clerk at least 7 days prior to the expedited or initial case management conference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons notice or court order

Circuit-clerk-issued summonses, notices, and court-order notices must contain the specified remote-appearance language.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates issued by the Circuit Clerk’s Offices in the Second Judicial Circuit shall also be accompanied by the following specific language, “For more information on appearing remotely by phone or video, please refer to the Second Judicial Circuit Rule 24 – Rule on Attending Court Remotely by Video or Phone” found on the Second Judicial Circuit’s official website www.illinoissecondcircuit.info.”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summons notice or court order

Privately issued summonses, notices, and court orders filed in the circuit must contain the specified remote-appearance language.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates issued by private counsel and filed in cases in the Second Judicial Circuit shall be accompanied by the following specific language, “For information on appearing remotely by phone or video, please contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office or refer to the Second Judicial Circuit Rule 24 – Rule on Attending Court Remotely by Video or Phone” found on the Second Judicial Circuit’s official website www.illinoissecondcircuit.info.”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading or entry of appearance

Must include

caption, case number

A pleading or entry of appearance in a civil case must clearly identify the circuit, county, parties and case number to be accepted for filing.

In all civil cases, the Clerk shall not accept for filing any document purporting to be a pleading or entry of appearance unless the document clearly sets forth the name of the circuit and the county, the names and designation of the parties and the case number.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of motion

A motion-hearing notice must identify the action, hearing date and time, and motion nature, and must include the written motion and supporting papers or state that they were previously served.

Any notice of hearing shall contain the title and number of the action and the date and time when the motion is to be heard or presented and shall state the nature of the motion. A copy of any written motions and of all papers presented therewith, or a statement that such motions and papers previously have been served shall accompany the notice.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit

In matrimonial proceedings, the moving party must prepare and file the prescribed affidavit before the hearing unless emergency relief is sought or the court directs otherwise for good cause.

Affidavit of Parties. In all matrimonial proceedings, including, but not limited to, petitions for attorney's fees, court costs, temporary maintenance or child support, permanent maintenance or child support and modification of any previous orders relating thereto, the moving party shall prepare and file an affidavit in substantially the form which is required by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge, prior to any hearing unless emergency relief is sought or unless, for good cause shown, the court directs otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit

The moving party's affidavit must be filed at the pretrial conference, at least three days before a contested hearing, or when an ex parte petition is filed, with proof of service unless the court orders otherwise.

Time for Filing. The moving party shall file such affidavit at the time of any pretrial conference, or at least three (3) days before a contested hearing or upon filing a petition for ex parte relief, with proof of service pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 12 unless the court orders otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit

A responding party must file the substantially same affidavit at the pretrial conference or at least three days before a contested hearing, with appropriate proof of service.

Response. The party responding to any such petition shall file an affidavit in substantially the same form at the time of any pretrial conference or at least three (3) days before a contested hearing, with appropriate proof of service.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial affidavit

The parties must file financial affidavits with the clerk at least seven days before the initial case management conference.

The parties shall also file financial affidavits and pre-mediation questionnaires with the clerk at least 7 days prior to the initial case management conference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Intent to repudiate

An intent to repudiate a mediated agreement must state the reasons for repudiation and be sent to the other party’s attorney, or to the unrepresented party.

Any Intent to repudiate shall set forth the reasons for the requested repudiation and shall be sent to the other party's attorney (or to the party if the party is unrepresented).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement agreement

Any settlement agreement reached in mediation must be written and signed by the parties or their agents before mediation terminates.

If an agreement is reached, it shall be reduced to writing and signed by the parties or their agents before termination of mediation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summonses notices and court orders setting court dates

Circuit Clerk-issued summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates must include specified remote-appearance information when remote appearance is an option.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates issued by the Circuit Clerk’s Offices in the Second Judicial Circuit when case participants have the option to appear remotely shall be accompanied by the following information: (1) the Courtroom to which the case has been assigned, (2) the Zoom Meeting ID for that assigned Courtroom, (3) the Zoom Meeting Password, (4) Instructions for Zoom Participation, (5) the Dial-in Telephone Number, (6) Instructions for Dial-In Participation, (7) Courthouse Address and Circuit Clerk’s Telephone Number.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summonses notices and court orders setting court dates

Circuit Clerk-issued summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates must include the specified remote-appearing language and website reference.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates issued by the Circuit Clerk’s Offices in the Second Judicial Circuit shall also be accompanied by the following specific language, “For more information on appearing remotely by phone or video, please refer to the Second Judicial Circuit Rule 24 – Rule on Attending Court Remotely by Video or Phone” found on the Second Judicial Circuit’s official website www.illinoissecondcircuit.info.”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Summonses notices and court orders setting court dates

Private-counsel-issued summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates must include the specified remote-appearing language and website reference.

All summonses, notices, and court orders setting court dates issued by private counsel and filed in cases in the Second Judicial Circuit shall be accompanied by the following specific language, “For information on appearing remotely by phone or video, please contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office or refer to the Second Judicial Circuit Rule 24 – Rule on Attending Court Remotely by Video or Phone” found on the Second Judicial Circuit’s official website www.illinoissecondcircuit.info.”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Discovery papers

Discovery papers outside the existing record may be filed for appeal purposes only upon application and court order.

When documentation of discovery not previously in the record is needed for appeal purposes, upon an application to and order of the court, the necessary discovery papers shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Exhibit list

Before trial or hearing, each party must identify and mark potentially offered exhibits, prepare a list containing each exhibit's identification mark and brief description, and present two copies of the list to the court and court reporter.

Prior to trial or hearing, or at the final pretrial conference if one is held, in all cases in which exhibits are to be offered, each party shall identify and mark each exhibit which may be offered at trial. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, Plaintiff shall identify and mark exhibits with numbers and Defendant shall identify and mark exhibits with letters. Each party shall prepare a list of all such exhibits in substantially the form which is required by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge, which list shall contain the identification mark assigned and a brief description of each exhibit. At the trial or hearing, or at a final pretrial conference, each party shall present to the court two (2) copies of such list for use by the court and the court reporter.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Mediation progress report

Unless mediation ends sooner, the mediator must file a report describing the mediation’s general progress with the Circuit Clerk before the continued case management conference.

Unless mediation has sooner terminated, the mediator shall before the continued case management conference, file with the Circuit Clerk a report describing the progress of mediation in general terms.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Mediation termination report

After mediation concludes, the mediator must file a report using the Chief Judge’s form that states the termination date and reason and identifies any issues on which agreement was reached.

After the conclusion of mediation, the mediator shall file with the Circuit Clerk a report, on a form provided by the Chief Judge, stating the date and reason for termination and specifying any issues on which agreement was reached.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Mediation report

The mediator must submit a written report identifying whether the parties reached a full agreement, partial agreement, or no agreement.

The mediator shall report to the Court in writing whether or not an agreement was reached by the parties. The report shall designate, "full agreement," "partial agreement," or "no agreement."

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Written appearance

Every party, or counsel for a party, shall file a written appearance, general, or special, or limited scope which shall include the name, address and telephone number of such party or counsel.

Summary: Every party or counsel must file a written appearance identifying the name, address, and telephone number of the party or counsel.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Pro se written appearance ?

Must include

caption, case number ?

If any party enters his appearance in writing without further pleading, such appearance shall comply with Rule 5(a), and shall be acknowledged before a person authorized to administer oaths under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Summary: A pro se written appearance filed without a further pleading must comply with Rule 5(a) and be acknowledged before an authorized oath officer.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Pro se appearance acknowledgment ?

Any such acknowledgment shall include a statement by the acknowledging officer that the person who signed such entry of appearance personally appeared before the officer and acknowledged such entry of appearance as the signer's free and voluntary act.

Summary: The oath officer's acknowledgment must state that the pro se signer personally appeared and acknowledged the appearance as a free and voluntary act.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Matrimonial affidavit ?

Must include

certificate of service ?

The moving party shall file such affidavit at the time of any pretrial conference, or at least three (3) days before a contested hearing or upon filing a petition for ex parte relief, with proof of service pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 12 unless the court orders otherwise.

Summary: The moving party's matrimonial affidavit must be filed at the pretrial conference, at least three days before a contested hearing, or with an ex parte petition, with proof of service unless the court orders otherwise.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Financial affidavit

Each party must file a financial affidavit and settlement conference memorandum, substantially the form required by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge, with a copy to the opposing party, at least seven days before the settlement conference.

Summary: Each party must file a financial affidavit and a substantially prescribed settlement conference memorandum, with a copy to the opposing party, at least seven days before the conference.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Proposed order declaring heirship

Must include

proposed order

At the time of filing of an affidavit pursuant to Section 5-3 of the Probate Act, the representative shall submit to the Circuit Clerk a separate proposed Order Declaring Heirship which shall reflect the language contained in the concluding section of the affidavit.

Summary: When filing the statutory affidavit of heirship, the representative must submit a separate proposed Order Declaring Heirship reflecting the affidavit’s concluding section.