Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Content:

The Law Division maintains all cases for claims of more than $30,000 involving the case types previously mentioned. The Law Division also maintains the Asbestos Registry. The records maintained date from 1871-1964 & 1980 - present (Since 1964, Law Division cases are retained for 21 years and then destroyed pursuant to statute with a 3% sample of cases retained for archival/historical purposes.) Law Division also maintains plaintiff and defendant Indexes [1871-1964] for the Circuit Court and Superior Court on microfilm; a microfiche Law Division index [1966-present] as well as docket books and clerk's record books 1871-present which are stored off site.

Content:

Content generally includes: cause of action (complaint),�defendant's response, motions and briefs filed;�testimony (occasional); verdict (if jury trial);�and the judge's final order. If the case was appealed, a�transcript may be present.

Illinois Code of Civil Procedure

Illinois Supreme Court Rules

Circuit Court Rules and Orders

Circuit Court of Cook County – An Informational Guide

Clerk of the Circuit Court Law Division Forms

Clerk of the Circuit Court General Forms

Calendar Summary

Individual Calendar

Commercial Calendars

Major Case Court-annexed Civil Mediation

Black Line Trial Call

1) Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person

2) Appointment of Special Administrator in Wrongful Death Case

3) Assignment of and Maintaining an Attorney Code Number

4) Placing a Claim on the Asbestos Registry

5) Registering a Judgment From Another State or County

6) Deposition for a Case Pending in Another State

7) Transfers Out of County

8) Setting & Filing Of Motions

9) Filing of Law Division Cases That are to Pend in 1st District Law Division in the Suburban Districts

1. Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person (735 ILCS 5/5/105)

For anyone requiring the waiver of fees in regards to filing in the Law Division, an application to sue or defend as an indigent person must be brought before Law Division's Presiding Judge.

When: 11:30-11:45 am Monday through Friday

Where: Room 2005, Law Division's Presiding Judge's Courtroom

Required: For those filing a lawsuit, a copy of the lawsuit & a completed CCGN-689 Application to Sue or Defend as a Indigent Person

For those answering a lawsuit, an Appearance form, CCL-0530 & completed CCGN-689 Application to Sue or Defend as a Indigent Person

2. Appointment Of Special Administrator In Wrongful Death Case (740 ILCS 180/2.1)

Having a Special Administrator appointed in a Wrongful Death case that has not been filed is accomplished during the Routine Motion Call in the Presiding Judge's Courtroom. When: 11:30-11:45 am Monday through Friday

Where: Room 2005, Law Division's Presiding Judge's Courtroom

Required: Petition to Appoint Special Administrator and copies

Order Appointing Special Administrator and copies

Original Complaint, ready to be filed

3. Assignment of and Maintaining an Attorney Code Number

Attorney code numbers are necessary for attorneys filing documents in Cook County. The attorney code numbers determine who receives court mailed notices. When: 8:30 - 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

Where: Law Division, Room 801, Daley Center

Required: Completed Cook County Attorney code I.D. Request Form 351.006

Current valid A.R.D.C. card

Valid government-issued Driver's License or identification card

The same form may be used when changing your address. It is important that your attorney code number remain updated as it is used to generate court notices.

4. Placing a Claim on the Asbestos Registry

Claimants may file a claim on the Asbestos Registry until the filing of a complaint. When: 8:30 to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

Where: Room 801, Daley Center

5. Registering a Judgment From Another State or County

Case Initiation & Fee Processing Manager

(312) 603-3295(Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act; 735 ILCS 5/12-650 et seq.)

FORMS:	CCL 0520 Civil Action Cover Sheet, CCG 0620 Foreign Judgment Registration Cover Sheet, CCGN 612 Notice of Filing

FILING:	An authenticated (e.g., certified) copy of the foreign judgment, together with the Civil Action Cover Sheet and the Foreign Judgment Registration Cover Sheet. An affidavit setting forth the name and last known address of the judgment debtor and judgment creditor.

NOTICE:	The Notice shall include the name and last known address of the judgment creditor and the creditor's attorney, if any.

MAILING:	The Clerk shall promptly mail notice of the filing of the foreign judgment to the judgment debtor at the address given and shall make a note of the filing in the docket.

FEES:	Any person filing a foreign judgment shall pay a fee to the circuit clerk equivalent to the fee that would be required were the person filing a complaint seeking the amount awarded in the foreign judgment. Filing Fee: $334.00 Mailing Fee: $ 15.44 per envelope (735 ILCS 105/27.2a)

CALENDAR:	All Registrations of Foreign Judgment are assigned to Tax & Miscellaneous Calendar 5.

Required: Completed Claimant Registry Form

Foreign Judgment

6. Deposition for a Case Pending in Another State

Subpoena for a Foreign Action

1) Movant shall comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 204(b).

2) Documents to be submitted:

a) Civil Action Cover Sheet.

b) A Petition to Issue a Subpoena containing the date, time, place of deposition, the name of the deponent and any documents requested.

c) A Foreign Commission, if issued in the foreign jurisdiction, or proof of a case pending.

d) Subpoena(s) [CCGN 006 or CCGN 014] containing the date, time, place of deposition, the name of the deponent and any documents requested (attached).

e) An order containing the date, time, place of deposition, the name of the deponent and any documents requested, to be entered in this court (attached).

f) A check in the amount of $334.00 payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

g) No notice is required.

h) If service is requested by the Sheriff, the movant must contact the Sheriff with any request for services. Sheriff Summons information 312.603.4922.

i) Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returned copies.

j) Discovery depositions of non-party physicians see Illinois Supreme Court Rule 204(c).

3) Return the above to: Clerk of the Circuit Court - Law Division,

50 W. Washington St. Room 801, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

Please direct any questions to the Law Division management staff at (312) 603-5426. Thank you.

7. Transfers Out of County

Wrong Venue 735 ILCS 5/2-106; 735 ILCS 5/2-107

Forum Non Conveniens Illinois Supreme Court Rule 187

After an order is entered transferring to another county, the party responsible for completing the transfer & payment of the fees must complete a TRANSFER OUT OF COOK COUNTY REQUEST FORM [CCLN 006].

When: After 30 days has expired from entry of the order, or immediately if the order was entered agreed.

Where: Room 801

Required: TRANSFER OUT OF COOK COUNTY REQUEST FORM [CCLN 006], Completed

Copy of the order that transfers the case.

8. Setting & Filing of Motions Circuit Court Rule 2.1(d) & (f)

Regular: Motions that are set on the call at the Motion Desk

When: 8:30 - 4:30, Monday thru Friday

Where: Room 801, Daley Center

2^nd District3^rd District4^th District5^th District6^th District

Required: Completed Motion Slip 351.002 Note: Only 1 motion per Motion Slip.

Original motion & copies to be filed

-- or --

Previously file-stamped copy of motion

Optional: Notice of Motion

Any documents accompanying the motion

Routine: This motion type is not set by computer, they are set pursuant to the Motion Judges Rules

Special: Motions to Withdraw as attorney and Motions for Default are explained in the Motion Judges Rules

Emergency: Contact the Judge's chambers you are assigned to for specific times and requirements.

9. Filing of Law Division Cases That Are to Pend in 1st District Law Division in the Suburban Districts

General Orders of the Circuit Court of Cook County
General Order 1.2.1(a)Law Division complaints for 1^st District may be filed in any of the 5 outlying District Courthouses 2^nd District3^rd District4^th District5^th District6^th District

Upon filing your complaint in the District, a case number and calendar designation will be issued.

Law Division cases reflect a variety of topics, including local area business and industry, labor issues, medical (and other) professions, sports and entertainment. The Law Division hears cases in which the claim is in excess of $30,000 where the events surrounding the lawsuit occurred in the City of Chicago, including those involving:
Administrative Review Action	Appeal Process for Workman�s Compensation Claims.
Asbestos	Damages arising from asbestos exposure. See asbestos registry in Law Division.
Breach Of Contract	Action filed when parties that have entered into a contract are in conflict.
Breach Of Warranty	Damages resulting from the failure of a party under contract to maintain or repair.
Condemnation	Process for a government agency to take a parcel of land.
Confession Of Judgment	These are filed when the parties that have signed the �Confession of Judgment� have broken their agreement. They provide for a quick remedy if the borrowing party fails to comply.
Construction Injuries	Damages arising from an injury at a construction site.
Consumer Fraud	Financial Remedy when a company engages in a fraudulent act.
Detinue	Remedy to seek damage relief in property or money.
Dram Shop	Damage claim arising from a defendant being over-served which results in a vehicular accident or other physical damage.
Fen-Phen /Redux Litigation	Damages to a person arising from the use of the diet drug combo Fen-Phen or Redux.
Fraud	Financial Remedy when an individual engages in a fraudulent act.
Intentional Tort	Damage claim when a party commits a tort with intention to harm.
Legal Malpractice	Remedy when a legal claim represented by a licensed attorney did not meet the standards for the profession.
Libel/Slander	Damages to a person arising from the use of defamatory information in writing or in a verbal manner.
Medical Malpractice	Damages arising from medical negligence
Motor Vehicle	Damages arising out of a vehicle collision
Pediatric Lead Exposure	Damages to children from exposure to and/or ingestion of lead paint.
Petition to Register Foreign Judgment	Registration Process for Judgments entered in other counties and states other than Illinois in order that monies owed may be collected.
Petitions For Discovery	Petition to take depositions or subpoena records before a case is filed.
Petitions For Qualified Orders	Petition to convert a structured settlement to a lump sum payment.
Petitions To Issue Subpoena	Petition to take a deposition of a person residing in Cook County in a case pending in another State or Country.
Premises Liability	Damages to a person from an unsafe condition on another party�s property.
Product Liability	Damages arising from the use of an unsafe product.
Professional Malpractice	Remedy when service provided by a licensed professional did not meet the standards for the profession.
Property Damage	Damages to property.
Replevin	Statutory Relief for property or money before a suit is filed.
Retaliatory Discharge	Action filed when an employee charges that they were fired as a punishment.
Silicone Implant	Damages to a person due to the use of Silicone Implants (ex. Breast Implants)
Statutory Action	Damages from a claim based on a statute.
Tax	Appeal Process for Tax Claims.
Unemployment Compensation	Appeal Process for Unemployment Compensation Claims
Cases are heard pursuant to Circuit Court General Order 1.2(1)(a). Suburban Districts also accept Law Division filings and hear Law Division cases in excess of $100,000 pursuant to Circuit Court General Order 1.2.1(a) (4) (i). Once a case is filed in the Suburban Law Division under the provisions of Circuit Court of Cook County General Order 1.2.1(a)(4), it will only come to the 1st District if it is consolidated into a case pending in the 1st District or it is transferred to 1st District by motion hearing. Cases filed in excess of $100,000 may be heard in all Law Division locations including the 1st District and the suburban districts.

CCG-0603A & CCG-603B , Effective 1/3/2006 (705 ILCS 105/27.2(a))

Municipality Fees (705 ILCS 105/27.2)

Court Forms

Each of the Divisions provides access to official court forms. There are several ways to obtain the forms. In the office, forms are also available from staff at each of the Division’s public service counters. The public can also access court forms on this website.

Attorney Code Numbers

The Law Division is responsible for assigning and maintaining attorney code numbers for all attorneys practicing in all Circuit Court Divisions and Districts in Cook County.

1) How do I find out what Judge my case is assigned?

2) How do I find out when the next court date is in my case?

3) Does this person/company have any cases filed against them?

4) How do I find out if a summons has been served in my case and have any appearances been filed?

5) What is the cost of an appearance/complaint/jury demand?

6) How do I register a judgment from another state?

7) How do I serve a subpoena for a deposition in a case pending in another state or county?

8) When is the next available motion date?

9) How is an attorney code number assigned?

1)      How do I find out what Judge my case is assigned?
When a case is filed in the Law Division it is randomly assigned via a computer program to a calendar letter. You may contact the Information Desk in Law Division to obtain the Judge's information associated with the calendar letter.

2)      How do I find out when the next court date is in my case?
You may determine your next court date by checking the Case Snapshot or contacting the Information Desk.

3)      Does this person/company have any cases filed against them?
The Litigant Index Search as well as the Information Desk can help determine whether or not an individual or company is involved in a Law Division case.

4)      How do I find out if a summons has been served in my case and have any appearances been filed?
Determining whether service has been made or an appearance has been filed in a Law Division case is accomplished by checking the electronic docket or contacting the Information Desk.

5)      What is the cost of an appearance/complaint/jury demand?
These costs can be obtained from the Fee Schedule on this site.

6)      How do I register a judgment from another state?
It requires the filing of the judgment as a new suit in Cook County Circuit Court as well as the payment of fees. For complete details, please see the Procedures section.

7)      How do I serve a subpoena for a deposition in a case pending in another state or county?
It requires compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 204{b}, the filing of a Petition to Issue Subpoena and the payment of fees. For complete details, please see the Procedures section.

8)      When is the next available motion date?
Motion dates may only be obtained when a motion is filed with the Clerk's Office or when a previously filed motion is reset. For complete details, please see the Procedures section.

9)      How is an attorney code number assigned?
An attorney code may be requested in the Law Division, located in Room 801 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. It may also be requested by fax (312-603-3348), email (attorneycode@cookcountycourt.com), by mail (see above address) or in person. To request a new attorney code or to change your address listed on an existing code, complete the “Cook County Attorney Code Request Form” and provide a copy of your current, valid ARDC card and your valid government-issued driver’s license or identification card. For complete procedures, please read the request form.

Title:	Court Forms
Content:	Each of the Divisions provides access to official court forms. There are several ways to obtain the forms. In the office, forms are also available from staff at each of the Division’s public service counters. The public can also access court forms on this website.