Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Juvenile files are maintained for a period of 21 years from the date of the case’s initiation. In the 21st year, a petition for destruction of records is made known from the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts.
Juvenile records are confidential and cannot be viewed by the general public. As dictated by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, 405/1-8 Confidentiality and accessibility of juvenile court records, only those individuals related to the court action may actually view the file. Any other request must be direct to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division.
Maintained Files
   · Juvenile files from 1899 - 1926 (with some gaps).
   · Files from 1927 - 1977 have been destroyed with only samples preserved for historical purposes
   · Current files are kept at the Juvenile Court Center for five years from the case’s initiation. At the beginning of the sixth year, the court files are prepared for accessi

Title:	Accessible as set forth in the Juvenile Court Act.
Content:	Content generally includes: Petition for Adjudication of Wardship, Summons, Motions, Responses from prosecution and defense, reports and or social investigations

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 Juvenile Justice Division Forms

Clerk of the Circuit Court General Forms

Clerk’s Office Juvenile Justice Division Brochure

Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1987

Juvenile Justice Expungement Guidelines and Forms

For additional assistance to people representing themselves (pro se litigants), please visit the Clerk of Circuit Court Self Represented (Pro Se) Resources page.

1) Certification of Court Records

2) Copies of Court Records

3) Expungements

All court case initiations at Juvenile Court are primarily conducted between the agencies of the Court (State�s Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, etc.) with the exception of expungements where a minor and/or their attorney can file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court directly.

1. Certification of Court Records

A certification request form is available for customers at our front counter.� Please allow at least 24-48 hours for certifications of court files not held on the premises.� Call the Juvenile Justice Division at (312) 433-4941 to inquire if the file you are requesting will need to be ordered.� Proper identification, such as a driver�s license, state identification, social security card must be presented before any services are rendered.� The Juvenile Court Act allows for the minor, their attorneys of record, parent and/or guardian and interested parties (approved by the Court) to view court records.

2. Copies of Court Records

Customer can request copies of their file at our front counter.� The standard fee for copies is as follows:

Copying Fees
First Page	$2.00
Pages 2 - 19	$.50 each
All remaining pages	$.25 each

Proper identification, such as a driver�s license, state identification, social security card must be presented before any services are rendered.

3. Expungements

The court file must be ordered through the Presiding Judge�s Office of the Juvenile Justice Division. For more information call:� (312) 433-6935.� The file will be reviewed to ensure it can be expunged.� An expungement packet is currently available with the Presiding Judge�s Office and will soon be available with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Juvenile Justice Division at 1100 S. Hamilton, Room 13, Chicago, IL� 60611.� For more information call:� 312) 433-4941.

For a summary of who can apply for an expungement, when the application can be made, and how to apply, see Clerk's Office Juvenile Expungement packet.

The Juvenile Justice Division has jurisdiction over all delinquent minors who have violated a federal or state law or municipal ordinance (other than a traffic, boating, fishing or gaming law violation) prior to their 17th birthday.

CCG-0603A & CCG-603B , Effective 4/27/2010 (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.

Viewing Files

Juvenile Justice court files may be viewed, as allowed by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Proper identification is required before viewing a file.

Payment must be presented in cash or cashier’s check made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

To pay a bond on a minor housed at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, please come to the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 1100 South Hamilton, Room 13, Chicago, IL Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. excluding legal holidays.

Juvenile Expungement - Filing and Processing of Expungements

1) What is my court date?

2) Can I get a copy of my court file?

3) Is there a fee for filing an appearance?

4) My child has been arrested, where is he/she being held?

5) I cannot make it to court today...can you change/reschedule my court date?

6) Where is the Cook County Juvenile Center located?

7) I have a warrant issued for me, where do I turn myself in?

8) Are bonds issued on juvenile cases?

9) My child is acting out/running away/not attending school what can I do?

10) Can I file any pleadings by mail and can I file any pleadings for another division at Juvenile?

1)      What is my court date?
Information on court dates is available by calling the Clerk's Office at (312) 433-4941 or from Central Index at (312) 433-6702

2)      Can I get a copy of my court file?
Since all juvenile matters are confidential the only parties that can obtain information are the minor who is the subject of record, his/her parent(s), guardian and counsel. The request for records/files may be directed to this office, it is then forwarded to the Presiding Judge's office for approval. Access will be given upon presentation of valid identification establishing identity and relationship or any authorized individual who receives approval from the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Justice Division.

3)      Is there a fee for filing an appearance?
There is no fee for filing an appearance in the Juvenile Justice division.

4)      My child has been arrested, where is he/she being held?
Any minor that has been arrested and waiting to appear in court will be held at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Facility located in the Cook County Juvenile Center - 1100 South Hamilton - (312) 433-7102

5)      I cannot make it to court today...can you change/reschedule my court date?
The Clerk's Office cannot change your court date. You will need to contact the attorney representing the minor or the State's Attorneys Office for a new court date/continuance.

6)      Where is the Cook County Juvenile Center located?
The Center is located at 1100 South Hamilton, bordered by Roosevelt Road (1200 S) on the South, Ogden Avenue on the West and Taylor Street (1000 S) on the North.

7)      I have a warrant issued for me, where do I turn myself in?
If a warrant has been issued, it is suggested that you go to the Youth Division of the Chicago Police Department located on the Concourse Level of the Cook County Juvenile Center, 1100 South Hamilton.

8)      Are bonds issued on juvenile cases?
No. However, bonds are issued on minors being charged as adults in Criminal Court. If the minor is under the age of 17, they are held at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center at 1100 South Hamilton. To bond out a minor, the parent or guardian must bring cash or cashier's check to the Clerk's Office in the Juvenile Court Center. The minor is then released after he/she signs their bond slip.

9)      My child is acting out/running away/not attending school what can I do?
It is suggested that if your child is experiencing behavioral problems, you should contact the Youth Officer of your local police station to discuss a Minor Requiring Authoritative Intervention (MRAI) petition. If the minor is not attending school, you should contact the school for further direction.

10)      Can I file any pleadings by mail and can I file any pleadings for another division at Juvenile?
Yes, you may file any pleading for this division by mail. In addition, we can accept pleadings for another division within the system.

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.