Circuit Court of Johnson County, Illinois (1st Judicial Circuit) Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

Unless another authority requires a specific filing time, a document due that day is timely if submitted before midnight in the court's time zone.

Unless a statute, rule, or court order requires that a document be filed by a certain time of day, a document is considered timely if submitted before midnight (in the court's time zone) on or before the date on which the document is due.

CRITICAL

Unless rejected, a document submitted while the clerk's office is closed is file stamped as filed on the next day the office is open.

A document submitted on a day when the clerk's office is not open for business will, unless rejected, be file stamped as filed on the next day the clerk's office is open for business.

WARNING

A party may seek appropriate relief upon showing good cause if a court-approved e-filing system technical failure makes a document untimely.

If a document is untimely due to any court-approved electronic filing system technical failure, the filing party may seek appropriate relief from the court, upon good cause shown.

WARNING

A party may seek appropriate relief upon showing good cause if clerk rejection makes a document untimely.

If a document is rejected by the clerk and is therefore untimely, the filing party may seek appropriate relief from the court, upon good cause shown.

CRITICAL

Filing deadlines for motions and pleadings are extended to the Court’s next business day.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

CRITICAL

Filing deadlines for motions and pleadings are extended to the Court’s next business day when they fall on a legal holiday.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

CRITICAL

The time to file motions and pleadings is extended to the Court’s next business day when the deadline falls on a legal holiday.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

CRITICAL

Written argument or memoranda allowed or directed by the court must be submitted promptly and no later than 30 days later, unless the court orders otherwise.

In the event that written argument and/or memoranda are allowed or directed by the court, said written argument or memoranda shall be submitted promptly, no later than 30 days thereafter, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

CRITICAL

A draft order or judgment may be entered immediately unless an objection is made within five working days after service.

The draft tendered may be entered forthwith unless objection is made within five workings days after service of the draft.

CRITICAL

A party opposing a pre-trial or post-trial motion must submit an answering memorandum stating the reasons for opposition and citing relevant authorities within ten days after the motion is filed.

Any party that opposes such a motion shall within ten days of its filing submit an answering memorandum containing the reasons for opposition together with citations of relevant authorities

CRITICAL

The clerk must set an expedited case management conference within 14 days after a qualifying temporary-relief pleading is filed, except when the pleading alleges present or threatened serious endangerment to a child.

Upon the filing of any pleading for temporary relief concerning qualifying issues, except a sworn pleading asserting facts showing a present or threatened serious endangerment to the physical or emotional health of the child(ren), the clerk shall set an expedited case management conference within 14 days with parties and counsel in attendance.

CRITICAL

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

CRITICAL

A Mediation Order appointing a mediator must set a continued case management conference 45 days later for a mediation status report.

All Mediation Orders wherein appointment of a mediator is made shall assign a 45-day continued case management conference date for a status report on the progress of mediation.

CRITICAL

Unless mediation ends sooner, the mediator must file a general progress report 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.

CRITICAL

Promptly after mediation concludes, the mediator must file a Chief Judge-provided form reporting the issues resolved or that mediation concluded unsuccessfully.

Promptly upon conclusion of mediation, the mediator shall file with the Circuit Clerk a report, on a form provided by the Chief Judge, specifying any issues on which agreement was reached or whether the matter has concluded unsuccessfully.

CRITICAL

The mediator must file the signed report in the case file within 14 days after the last day of mediation.

The report shall be signed by the mediator and filed in the court file of the case under mediation within fourteen (14) days after the last day of mediation.

CRITICAL

A person without video capability or unable to join under their full name may request audio-only or unnamed remote participation by written motion filed at least one day before the hearing.

Persons without video capabilities, or without the ability to join with a full name, may request to participate in the remote hearing via audio only, or without a full name, by written motion to the Court, filed at least 1 day prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

For evidentiary proceedings, parties and attorneys may request remote participation by written motion filed at least two days before the hearing, subject to Judge Gill’s sole discretion.

For evidentiary proceedings, parties and attorneys may submit a request to participate in the hearing remotely, by written motion, filed at least 2 days prior to the hearing. Said requests shall be within the sole discretion of Judge Gill.

CRITICAL

Filing deadlines for motions and pleadings that fall on a listed legal holiday are extended to the next business day of the Court.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

CRITICAL

Remote appearance by Zoom or telephone requires prior leave of court, and the request motion must be filed at least 3 days before the hearing.

Status hearings, CMCs, other hearings, or trials shall only be permitted via Zoom or telephone, if granted prior leave of court. Any motion requesting such appearance shall be filed at least 3 days prior to said hearing.

CRITICAL

Proposed orders must be submitted through Odyssey at least 3 days before the hearing, unless paper copies are brought to the hearing.

Counsel and Self Represented Litigants shall electronically submit proposed Orders through Odyssey at least 3 days prior to said Hearing, or bring paper copies to the Hearing.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine must be filed 7 days before the final pretrial.

The deadline to file motions in limine is 7 days prior to the final pretrial.

CRITICAL

The statement of the case and witness list must be filed before the final pretrial.

A statement of the case and a list of witnesses shall be efiled with the Court prior to the final pretrial.

CRITICAL

The proponent must file any evidence deposition and exhibits at least 14 days before the final pretrial.

The proponent of any evidence deposition and/or exhibits shall file the same with the Court at least 14 days prior to the final pretrial.

WARNING

The filing time for motions and pleadings is extended to the Court’s next business day.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

WARNING

The filing deadline for motions and pleadings is extended to the Court’s next business day when it falls on a legal holiday.

(c) The time for filing motions and pleadings is to be extended to the next business day of this Court.

WARNING

A proposed order or judgment not presented within 30 days after the court’s decision triggers a docket entry directing the clerk to pull the file for judicial review within the following 30 days, unless it is entered in the meantime.

If the proposed order or judgment has not been presented to the Court within 30 days after the Court’s decision, that fact shall be noted in a docket entry, which shall direct the clerk to pull the file for the judge’s review within 30 days thereafter, unless the order or judgment has been entered by the Court in the interim.

WARNING

After the ten-day opposition period expires, the clerk refers the motion papers and case file to the court for disposition.

Upon expiration of the 10-day period, the clerk will refer the motion papers and the case file to the court for appropriate disposition.

WARNING

The respondent may file a written answer specifying denials and affirmative defenses no later than three days before the hearing.

No later than three days prior to the hearing, the respondent may file a written answer denying with specificity any allegations of the petition and setting out any affirmative defenses.

WARNING

The court and specified offices are closed on the listed 2025 legal holidays, and the Supreme Court and Chief Judge may add holidays.

(a) The Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois shall adjourn, and the **Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and other Judicial related offices** of the First Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois, shall be closed on the following legal holidays for the year **2025**. Additional holidays may be added by the Supreme Court and the Chief Judge.