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| Illinois Court Records- Listed below is contact information and/or links to websites containing resources to help in a search for Illinois court records. | |||
| Illinois Court Records, Court System, and online search resources | |||
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Illinois’ extensive court system serves a population of about 13 million residents in communities ranging from prototypical small-town, rural America to the 2.8-million-person metropolis of Chicago. Illinois Supreme Court Illinois’ Supreme Court justices convene in the state’s Supreme Court Building in the capital city of Springfield on the second Monday in the months of September, November, January, March and May. The length of each session depends on the number of matters on the docket. Between courtroom sessions, justices occupy their time with reviewing briefs, pleas to the court and motions for upcoming sessions, and on the preparation and review of court opinions from the session just concluded. A quorum of four out of seven justices is required to transact business of the court, and there must be an agreement among at least four justices to reach a decision or opinion by the court. Thus, if only the quorum of four justices is present, all four must agree to reach an official decision. The justices select one of their members to serve as chief justice for a three-year term. The chief justice occupies the center chair behind the bench with other justices seated alternately to the right and left of the chief based on seniority. The marshal of the court and the clerk of the court sit at desks facing each other before the bench, and persons addressing the court use a center table and lectern. Normally, the court allots 50 minutes per case to oral argument, with time divided between the sides: 20 minutes for opening argument, 20 minutes for reply and 10 minutes for rebuttal. Capital cases are allotted 70 minutes rather than 50. Upon request, additional time might be allotted to any case. The Illinois Supreme Court Clerk maintains offices in Springfield and Chicago as follows: Supreme Court Building 200 Capitol Springfield, IL 62701 State of Illinois Building Illinois Appellate Courts In the Illinois appellate courts, a presiding judge and other judges of each appellate district are assisted by a clerk, a research director and additional staff as appointed by the appellate judges. Appeals enter the district clerk’s office, where deputy clerks assign each case a filing schedule and actively monitor and review cases as they progress through the system. Deputy clerks prepare and file records, motions, briefs and oral arguments. Problems such as late filings, jurisdictional defects, inadequate records and noncompliant briefs will be referred to the court. Once the court has heard an appeal, the clerk’s office issues the court’s decision and tracks post-decision activity. The clerk’s office also maintains the court’s computerized and manual recordkeeping systems, oversees maintenance of the court’s physical facilities and responds to inquiries for information regarding cases before the court and courtroom procedures. The research director oversees a staff of attorneys and secretaries who provide legal research services to the judges. There are five appellate districts and the state court Web site maintains a clickable map to help users locate the appropriate courts. Illinois Circuit Courts In Illinois, the circuit courts are the courts of “original jurisdiction” for most cases. Three of those 22 circuit courts cover single counties – Cook, Will and DuPage – while the remainder serve anywhere from two to 12 counties. A circuit court can decide, with few exceptions, any type of case. Those exceptions include the redistricting of the state general assembly and the ability of the governor to serve or resume office. Circuit courts also share jurisdiction with the state supreme court to hear cases relating to revenues, mandamus, prohibition and habeas corpus. Should the state supreme court choose to exercise its jurisdiction over such cases, then the circuit court is not entitled to decide them. Finally, the circuit courts also review administrative orders issued by certain state agencies. Each circuit court has two types of judges – circuit judges and associate judges. The circuit judges are elected for six years, may be retained by voters for an additional six-year term, and can hear any kind of case. Circuit judges are elected on a circuit-wide basis or from the county in which they reside. For Cook County, circuit judges are elected from the entire county or as resident judges from each of the 15 sub circuits within that county. Associate judges are appointed by the circuit judges, under state supreme court rules, for terms of four years. An associate judge can hear any type of case except criminal cases punishable by a year or more in prison, though associate judges can receive approval from the state supreme court to hear the more serious criminal cases. Circuit judges from each circuit elect one of their members to serve as the chief circuit court judge. Cases may be assigned to either general or specialized divisions within the circuit by the chief judge, who has general administrative authority in the circuit, albeit subject to the overall administrative authority of the state supreme court. The state circuit court Web site offers information for circuit court jurors, as well. Circuit court administrative matters are handled by two organizations, the Conference of Chief Circuit Court Judges and the Conference Committees. The Conference of Chief Circuit Court Judges meets regularly to discuss issues related to the administration of justice in the circuit courts and other matters referred to the conference by justices of the supreme court. Conference committees include: the Article V Committee; Committee on Forms; Committee to Revise the Chief Circuit Judges' Manual; Domestic Relations Committee; Juvenile Committee; Long-Range Planning Committee; Orientation Committee; Prison Committee; Probation Committee; Speciality Courts Committee; and other ad hoc committees convened to study specific, short-term subject matter. |
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| Illinois' Online Court Web Sites | |||
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Recent Illinois State Court Opinions Illinois Supreme Court Dockets - Search recent dockets from the Supreme Court and sign up to receive email notifications. Illinois Courts - Citizen Self-Help Information and information on court proceedings. Illinois Courts Recent Civil Jury Instructions - Search new jury instructions that are not yet included in the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions bound volumes. Illinois Appellate Court Caseload Statistics - Search court statistics by district. Illinois Appellate Court Local Rules - Browse district local rules by district. United States Bankruptcy Court - Central District of Illinois United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Illinois United States Bankruptcy Court - Southern District of Illinois United States District Court - Central District of Illinois United States District Court - Northern District of Illinois United States District Court - Southern District of Illinois |
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| Illinois County Courthouses, Phone numbers, and addresses | |||
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