15th Judicial Circuit Court, Lee County, Illinois Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

During business hours, a complaint or petition seeking specified ex parte or emergency relief must be filed with the Clerk before presentation to the Court.

Every complaint or petition requesting an ex parte order appointing a receiver, a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a domestic violence order, or any other emergency relief shall be filed with the Clerk, if during business hours, before presentation to the Court.

CRITICAL

During business hours, a complaint or petition seeking the specified ex parte or emergency relief must be filed with the Clerk before presentation to the Court.

Every complaint or petition requesting an ex parte order appointing a receiver, a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a domestic violence order, or any other emergency relief shall be filed with the Clerk, if during business hours, before presentation to the Court.

CRITICAL

A pleading accompanied by an indigency petition is considered filed when electronically filed or properly presented to the Clerk.

A pleading accompanied by a petition to sue or defend as an indigent person is considered filed when it is electronically filed or properly presented to the Clerk for filing.

CRITICAL

Except as provided in Rule 2.13, an e-filing received before midnight on an open day is deemed filed that day; one filed when the Clerk’s office is closed is deemed filed the next business day.

Except as set forth in Rule 2.13, the transmission date and time of transfer shall determine the date and time of the E-filing. Pleadings received by the Clerk before midnight on a day the Clerk’s office is open shall be deemed filed that day. If filed on a day the Clerk’s office is not open, the document will be deemed filed the next business day.

CRITICAL

The transmission time generally determines the e-filing time; pleadings received before midnight on an open day are filed that day, while filings on a closed day are filed the next business day.

Except as set forth in Rule 2.13, the transmission date and time of transfer shall determine the date and time of the E-filing. Pleadings received by the Clerk before midnight on a day the Clerk’s office is open shall be deemed filed that day. If filed on a day the Clerk’s office is not open, the document will be deemed filed the next business day.

WARNING

The Clerk may reject an electronically filed case or document type that has not been approved.

Any unapproved case or document type filed electronically by a Filer may be rejected by the Clerk.

WARNING

For specified transmission, processing, rejection, technical, or service-list errors, the Court may, on satisfactory proof, permit a later filing to take effect on the date filing was first attempted.

If a document intended to be electronically filed is not deemed filed by the Clerk on the date the document was transmitted to the Clerk for filing because of (1) an error in the transmission of the document to the Vendor that was unknown to the sending party, (2) a failure to process the electronic filing when received by the Vendor, (3) rejection by the Clerk under Rule 2.7(h), (4) other technical problems experienced by the Filer, or (5) the party was erroneously excluded from the service list, the Court may on satisfactory proof enter an order permitting the document to be subsequently filed effective as of the date filing was first attempted.

WARNING

After filing its first account, a bank or trust company serving as guardian need not file accounts more often than once every three years unless the Court specifically requires it.

If the guardian is a bank or trust company, it shall not be required to file an account (after filing its first account) more often than once every three years, unless specifically required by the Court.

WARNING

On satisfactory proof of specified transmission, processing, rejection, technical, or service-list errors, the Court may allow later filing effective as of the first attempted filing date.

If a document intended to be electronically filed is not deemed filed by the Clerk on the date the document was transmitted to the Clerk for filing because of (1) an error in the transmission of the document to the Vendor that was unknown to the sending party, (2) a failure to process the electronic filing when received by the Vendor, (3) rejection by the Clerk under Rule 2.7(h), (4) other technical problems experienced by the Filer, or (5) the party was erroneously excluded from the service list, the Court may on satisfactory proof enter an order permitting the document to be subsequently filed effective as of the date filing was first attempted.

WARNING

The Clerk may reject an e-filed document that does not comply with the applicable formatting requirements.

The Clerk may reject a document submitted for E-filing if the document does not comply with the format specified by applicable statute, these Rules, applicable Supreme Court Rules, or the Statewide Standards.

WARNINGCourt notice

The courts will be closed on the listed legal holidays in 2026.

Courts will be closed on the following legal holidays in 2026: Lincoln's Birthday - February 12, 2026 Washington's Birthday (Observed) - February 16, 2026 Spring Holiday - April 3, 2026 Memorial Day - May 25, 2026 Juneteenth Independence Day - June 19, 2026 Independence Day - July 3, 2026 Labor Day - September 7, 2026 Columbus Day (Observed) - October 12, 2026 Veterans Day - November 11, 2026 Thanksgiving Day - November 26, 2026 Day after Thanksgiving Day - November 27, 2026 Christmas Eve- December 24, 2026 Christmas Day - December 25, 2026

CRITICAL

A filing deadline that falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or designated holiday is extended to the Court’s next business day.

If the deadline for filing a notice, pleading, or action is on a Saturday, Sunday, or designated holiday, the time for filing the notice, pleading, or action is extended to the next business day of the Court.

CRITICAL

Vouchers evidencing receipt of settlement funds must be filed within the time prescribed by the Court.

(h) Evidence of Receipt. Any order entered approving a settlement shall provide for the distribution of the settlement funds and the filing of vouchers to evidence receipt of any portion of the funds within a time prescribed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Executors and administrators must present the first required account within the stated six-month-plus-60-day period, annually after the first account, and at other times ordered by the Court.

Every executor and administrator shall present the account required by section 24-1 of the Act within 60 days after the date that is six months after the Clerk issued letters of office, annually after the date of the first account, and at other times as the Court requires.

CRITICAL

Unless excused, the petitioner must file receipts for all sums expended within 30 days after the Court authorizes the withdrawal.

Unless excused from doing so, within 30 days after the Court authorizes the withdrawal, the petitioner shall file receipts for all sums expended.

CRITICAL

A guardian must present an account within 30 days after the first year from issuance of the letters of office and at least annually thereafter, unless otherwise ordered.

Each guardian shall present an account of his or her administration within 30 days after the expiration of one year after the issuance of the letters of office and, unless otherwise ordered, at least annually thereafter.

CRITICAL

The proposed property apportionment statement is due at least five days before the hearing, unless the Court orders otherwise.

If property apportionment is in dispute, the parties, at least five days before the hearing or when otherwise ordered by the Court, shall, in addition to the financial affidavit, submit a statement of proposed property apportionment that includes an itemization of all property claimed as marital and non-marital, a proposed value of each item, a proposed property apportionment, and citation to any authorities relied on by the proponent to support the proposed apportionment.

CRITICAL

An attorney or SRL directed to submit a written order must submit it within 30 days, unless the Court establishes another deadline.

When the Court enters a ruling in any case, it may require that a written order be submitted through e-filing or otherwise, and the attorney or SRL directed to submit the order shall do so within 30 days or other time established by the Court.

CRITICAL

The moving party must call a motion for hearing within 90 days after filing or the Court may strike it.

The burden of calling a motion for hearing is on the moving party. If a motion is not called for hearing within 90 days from the date it is filed, the Court may enter an order striking the motion.

CRITICAL

A guardian must present an account within 30 days after the first year of office and at least annually thereafter unless otherwise ordered.

Each guardian shall present an account of his or her administration within 30 days after the expiration of one year after the issuance of the letters of office and, unless otherwise ordered, at least annually thereafter.

CRITICAL

Dispositive motions must be filed and brought to argument at least 90 days before trial, unless the Court limits or extends the period in the interests of justice.

All dispositive motions (e.g., motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings, motions for summary judgment) must be filed and brought to argument (pursuant to notice) before the Court no later than 90 days before the assigned trial date. The Court may limit or extend this time in the interests of justice.

CRITICAL

If hearing notice is served on any party by regular mail, it must be mailed at least 14 days before the hearing.

provided, however, that if the notice is served on any party by regular mail, the notice of hearing must be mailed at least 14 days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

An SRL must file a written appearance before participating in any hearing before the Court.

An SRL shall file a written appearance, by pleading or otherwise, before participating in any hearing before the Court.

CRITICAL

Dispositive motions must be filed and brought to argument on notice no later than 90 days before the assigned trial date, subject to the Court’s authority to limit or extend the time in the interests of justice.

All dispositive motions (e.g., motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings, motions for summary judgment) must be filed and brought to argument (pursuant to notice) before the Court no later than 90 days before the assigned trial date. The Court may limit or extend this time in the interests of justice.

CRITICALCourt notice

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

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

CRITICAL

Executors and administrators must present the required account within 60 days after the date six months after the Clerk issues letters of office.

Every executor and administrator shall present the account required by section 24-1 of the Act within 60 days after the date that is six months after the Clerk issued letters of office,

CRITICAL

A financial affidavit is due at least five days before the hearing, unless the Court orders otherwise.

In all actions in which there is a dispute involving property, temporary or other maintenance, temporary or other child support, or post-high school educational expenses, each party shall file a financial affidavit at least five days before the hearing on the issue(s) or when otherwise ordered by the Court.

CRITICAL

Each settlement-conference memorandum must be delivered to the Court at least seven days before the conference.

When a settlement conference is to be conducted, each attorney or SRL shall prepare a written memorandum setting forth the relevant facts of the case, the party’s settlement position, and the bases for that position and deliver a copy of the memorandum to the Court at least seven days before the conference.

CRITICAL

When a final pretrial conference is scheduled, attorneys and SRLs must file and serve the Court-required pretrial documents at least 10 days before it.

When a final pretrial conference is scheduled, the attorneys for each of the parties and each SRL shall file and serve pretrial documents as required by the Court at least 10 days before the final pretrial conference.

CRITICAL

A party may move to defer mediation within 14 days after referral; the motion must be noticed for hearing before the scheduled mediation, provided to interested parties, and detail its supporting facts and circumstances.

(d) Motion to Defer Mediation. Within 14 days after entry of the order of referral, any party may move to defer the mediation. The movant shall notice the motion for hearing before the mediation’s scheduled date. Notice of the hearing shall be provided to all interested parties, including any mediator who has been appointed. The motion shall set forth, in detail, the facts and circumstances supporting the motion. Mediation shall be tolled until the Court decides the motion.

CRITICAL

On dismissal of the case, the Clerk shall send notice by regular mail to the last known address of the personal representative and the attorney of record specifying that the case, for good cause shown, may be reinstated within 30 days after the date of the notice.

On dismissal of the case, the Clerk shall send notice by regular mail to the last known address of the personal representative and the attorney of record specifying that the case, for good cause shown, may be reinstated within 30 days after the date of the notice.

CRITICAL

Unless the Court allows otherwise, when an opposing party does not cooperate after a good-faith scheduling effort, hearing notice must be served at least three days before the hearing.

Unless otherwise allowed by the Court, if an attorney or SRL has made this good-faith effort but an opposing party has not cooperated in determining a mutually agreeable time and date, notice of the hearing must be served at least three days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

Requests for extended media coverage must be filed with the circuit clerk as soon as practicable and at least 7 days before the proceeding, unless the court prescribes shorter notice or the proceeding was not scheduled that far in advance.

All requests for extended media coverage shall be filed with the circuit clerk as soon as practicable, but not less than 7 days in advance of the time the proceeding sought to be covered is scheduled to begin. Requests may be made on shorter notice as the court may prescribe or when a proceeding is not scheduled at least 7 days in advance (for example, an initial appearance in a criminal proceeding or a temporary restraining order in a civil proceeding).

CRITICAL

After the first account, executors and administrators must present accounts annually.

Every executor and administrator shall present the account required by section 24-1 of the Act within 60 days after the date that is six months after the Clerk issued letters of office, annually after the date of the first account, and at other times as the Court requires.

CRITICAL

When the Court orders the additional disclosures, the parties must disclose and exchange them within 30 days, without further notice or request.

The Court may, on written motion of a party or its own motion, determine that, because of the nature or complexity of an action, the parties shall, within 30 days and without further notice or request, disclose and exchange the following information, whether the information is within the possession, custody, or control of the party or can be ascertained or acquired by the party by reasonable inquiry and investigation:

CRITICAL

The objection must be filed within three days after receiving notice of the request for extended media coverage.

3. This objection is filed within three (3) days of receiving notice of the request for extended media coverage.

CRITICAL

A party who appears without service of summons must plead within the time that would apply if summons had been served on the appearance date.

A party who appears without having been served with summons is required to plead within the same time as if served with summons on the day he or she appears.

CRITICAL

Within 14 days after mediation ends, the mediator must file a report with the Clerk stating whether an agreement was reached in whole or in part.

(j) Report of Mediator. Within 14 days after the termination of a mediation, the mediator shall file with the Clerk a report as to whether an agreement was reached, in whole or in part.

CRITICAL

The Clerk must set a motion to vacate a sealing or impoundment order for hearing within 14 days.

The Clerk within 14 days shall set the motion for hearing before the judge who ordered the case, record, or document to be sealed or impounded.

CRITICAL

If the parties cannot agree on a mediator within 14 days after referral, the plaintiff, plaintiff’s attorney, or an attorney agreed on by all attorneys must notify the Court within the next seven days, after which the Court appoints a certified mediator.

(2) Appointment by Court. If the parties cannot agree on a mediator within 14 days after the entry of the order of referral, the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney (or another attorney agreed on by all attorneys) shall notify the Court within the next seven days, and the Court shall appoint a certified mediator.

CRITICAL

A judge may unseal and open a case, record, or document if a party fails to object to unsealing or opening within 30 days following written notice of the intent to unseal or open.

A judge may unseal and open a case, record, or document if a party fails to object to unsealing or opening within 30 days following written notice of the intent to unseal or open.

CRITICAL

The Clerk must set a motion to vacate a sealing or impounding order for hearing within 14 days before the judge who issued the order.

The Clerk within 14 days shall set the motion for hearing before the judge who ordered the case, record, or document to be sealed or impounded.

CRITICAL

If an account is not presented within 60 days after the Clerk’s notice, the Clerk issues a citation requiring the representative to account or appear by a specified date.

If the account is not presented within 60 days after the Clerk’s notice, the Clerk shall issue a citation directing the representative to account as required by a date certain or appear on that date to show cause why he or she should not do so;

CRITICAL

The compliance report and receipt are due within 90 days after entry of the order, unless the Court allows further time.

Within 90 days after entry of the order or within further time as the Court allows, the foreign representative, attorney-in-fact, or assignee shall present to the Court a report of compliance, with the receipt of the distributee evidencing payment and delivery of the distributive share.

CRITICAL

After the first account, guardians must present accounts annually.

Every guardian shall present the account required by section 24-11 of the Act within 30 days after the date that is one year after the Clerk issued letters of office, annually after the date of the first account, within 30 days after the termination of the guardian’s office, and at other times as the Court requires.

CRITICAL

After the original jury demander waives a jury, the opponent must demand a jury and pay the fee within 30 days after notice of the waiver or waive a jury; paid fees are not refunded upon waiver.

If the petitioner or claimant files a jury demand and later waives a jury trial, the opposing party will be granted a jury trial on demand made within 30 days of being advised of the waiver and payment of the fee. Otherwise, the party waives a jury trial. The jury fee, once paid, shall not be reimbursed on a subsequent waiver of jury.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness objection

The objection must be filed with the Clerk before the witness begins testifying.

4. This objection is filed with the Clerk of the Court prior to the commencement of my testimony.

CRITICAL

An attorney must file a written appearance before addressing the Court.

An attorney for a party shall file a written appearance, by pleading or otherwise, before the attorney addresses the Court.

CRITICAL

Unless the Court allows otherwise, a party that did not make a good-faith scheduling effort may not serve hearing notice fewer than 10 days before the hearing.

Unless otherwise allowed by the Court, if an attorney or SRL has not made this good-faith effort, notice of the hearing may not be served less than 10 days before the hearing;

CRITICAL

Deadline

48 hours

Proof of service must be filed with the Clerk within 48 hours after the hearing.

Proof of service shall be filed with the Clerk within 48 hours after the hearing.