Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of Illinois courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to Illinois judges should identify key legal websites in Illinois and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on Illinois courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on Illinois judges and courts, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

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Study sources of unbiased news and trends for an Illinois civil court

Journalists frequently report on news and events that affect the Illinois supreme court in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: The Illinois Lawyer Blog offers commentary on recent cases before the Illinois courts. The Record reports on news in the Illinois judiciary, such as recent Illinois Supreme Court rulings.

Review websites for an Illinois state court to get official news and other information

Illinois courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. An Illinois county court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: Illinois Courts provides the latest news and court appointments throughout the Illinois court system. Illinois Court Reports provides official opinions and summaries of cases before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on Illinois judges and courts

Illinois bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular Illinois court or judge.

I recommend: The Illinois State Bar Association provides daily legal news updates about Illinois judges and courts, as well as a regular schedule of events that allow attorneys to informally exchange information on Illinois courts and judges. The Chicago Bar Association offers news updates and events on Illinois courts and judges, such as lunch with a current judge.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends on Illinois judges and courts. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of the Illinois court system helps if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts has judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Illinois courts and judges, keep the following in mind:

1. If you can’t afford an attorney, Illinois state court provides legal aid to guide you through the legal process.

2. The Illinois Supreme Court and Court of Appeals only hear appellate cases and each court has its own appointed judges.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are accessible through an Illinois court records search with PACER.

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Locate an Illinois county court

Five of the 23 circuit courts serve one county in Illinois. If you live in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, Lake County or McHenry County, then your case is in the circuit court at the county seat. For example, the county seat for Cook County is Chicago. The remaining 18 circuit courts serve two to 12 counties. Illinois circuit courts handle civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, juvenile, traffic and small claims cases, which are civil cases involving $5,000 or less.

I recommend: To determine which circuit court services your area, select your county from the pull down menu on the left side of Circuit Court page on the Illinois Courts online. Use Judici to perform an Illinois courts search of case records. Illinois Legal Aid will guide you through the court process and what you need to do for your case if you don’t have an attorney to represent you.

File an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals

The purpose of an Illinois appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. The Court of Appeals has mandatory jurisdiction on appeals filed for civil, non-capital criminal and juvenile matters. The Illinois Supreme Court maintains the same mandatory jurisdictions, as well as capital felonies, and has the authority to appoint any of those appellate cases to the Court of Appeals. It also hears appeals filed on appellate case decisions made by the Court of Appeals.

I recommend: Access biographical information for the Court of Appeals through the Illinois judges directory provided by the Illinois Courts website. Obtain details on the Illinois court system, including the Illinois appellate court, on Public Records Information. Download previous Supreme Court opinions on the Illinois Courts – Recent Supreme Court Opinions page.

Access bankruptcy records from Illinois courts

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Illinois bankruptcy courts can assist you with both. There are three districts of the Illinois bankruptcy court: the northern, central and southern districts. Each provide information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Illinois bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Access all three districts through Personal Bankruptcy Information. Obtain downloadable bankruptcy case forms on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Illinois website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search provided through the Northern District of Illinois Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of Illinois county courts, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

Businesses and individuals in Illinois should have a basic working knowledge of the Illinois court system. Perhaps you've been sued and want to represent yourself. For starters, you'll have to know which court has geographic and subject matter jurisdiction over your claim in order to find out what procedures the court is going to follow and how you must stay informed.

Fortunately, the Illinois courts and judges maintain excellent websites that provide basic information on the structure of the court system. These websites also provide contact information to get in touch with those who can assist you on an individual basis. (i.e. judges and their staff) Pursue information on Illinois courts and judges for beginners by following some easy steps:

1. Start with basic information on the Illinois court system and the county courts most business owners will find themselves in.

2. Find out how to contact Illinois judges and their staff directly.

3. Learn how to perform a basic Illinois courts search using online data bases.

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Find Illinois county courts and learn basic information about their respective jurisdictions

You'll first need to know how the entire Illinois court system is broken down into judicial districts known as 'circuits' that operate under chief judges. Two of the most relevant courts that businesses should know about are the small claims and traffic courts. Your business may be sued in a small claims tribunal or perhaps you employ drivers who receive tickets for traffic violations committed while on the job.

I recommend: The Circuit Court of Cook County website provides an overview of the state's court system. It further explains that the Cook County courts are divided into three separate departments, the municipal, county and juvenile protection offices. The Illinois Attorney General website provides basic information on the state's small claims courts. Find out who may sue in small claims, whether attorneys are required and what kinds of cases the small claims panel hears. A third basic court that Illinois residents should be aware of is the traffic court. Read "Your Guide to Illinois Traffic Courts" on The Illinois State Bar Association website to find out about the state's traffic penalties, what to do when you or your employee receives a ticket and the court procedures the traffic judges will follow.

Locate and know how to contact Illinois judges presiding over your case

You may need to find out whether the judge is going to rule or has ruled on a motion that is time-sensitive to your case. Instead of waiting to receive a filed Order in the mail, you can usually contact the judge's staff or a court clerk who will provide this information.

I recommend: Record Information Services is a directory of every Illinois judge, including those on the Illinois Supreme Court. The updated directory provides both telephone and fax numbers for each judge's chambers. Access the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois to know when and why you may need to contact judges deciding certain motions. Use the Illinois Circuit Court website to learn more about each Illinois judge's staff, to identify the associate judges in a circuit and to find a listing of court clerks.

Learn how to perform basic searches through Illinois county court records

Perhaps your HR department needs to confirm an employee's birth date or death or wants to perform criminal background checks on potential new hires. As you gather Illinois courts and judges for beginners knowledge, find out the court records you are permitted to access and how to perform these searches.

I recommend: Though not affiliated with the state government, Illinois State Records helps you perform online searches through county court records. Search through millions of public records with the user friendly data base at Illinois Records.

Courts in any state have the power to make far-reaching decisions that could dictate how you conduct your business. There are laws telling you the questions you’re not allowed to ask in job interviews, what criteria you can’t base job promotions on and even whether you’re subject to a state or federal OSHA work plan. If you do business in Illinois, here are some key terms about the state’s judicial system that you might want to become familiar with:

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Illinois circuit courts

Most of the state's lawsuits begin in one of the 23 Illinois circuit courts. Circuit judges get elected to the circuit courts for six-year terms from the county they live in. These judges then appoint associate judges to the bench who serve for four years.

I recommend: There’s discussion about the jurisdiction these courts have at Illinois Courts. You’ll also learn about the role of the chief judge presiding over the circuit courts.

The court of claims

Two jurisdictions in Illinois-Springfield and Chicago-have courts of claims. These courts have jurisdiction over matters involving contracts, torts and some criminal procedure issues. The cases brought before the court of claims can originate in any jurisdiction within the state.

I recommend: Get basic information on the types of cases heard by the court of claims at Court Reference.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Since 1973, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has pulled together crime statistics in Illinois and the nation. Its intent is to keep the public informed about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in Illinois.

I recommend: Go to ICJIA for details on how the Authority developed its procedural standards. There’s also links that can help you learn about the history of the Authority and its bylaws.

Illinois court records

Most Illinois court records are maintained by the circuit court where the case originated. The public has ready access to the court records as long as they don't contain confidential information as provided by state statutes.

I recommend: The Records Project can explain how to access Illinois court records using any of the online searchable databases.

Civil case mediation

Illinois' civil case mediation system allows for certain civil matters to be heard in the state's alternative dispute resolution program. Those matters must involve disputes of $50,000 or more. The process is entirely voluntary and both sides to a case get to choose a neutral mediator.

I recommend: The 19th Circuit Court explains who gets involved in the civil case mediation program and how it is different from standard case arbitration.

Judicial terms of office

As in all states, Illinois law sets judicial terms of office for its justices. You can find the terms in the Illinois Constitution. The terms range from four years for the associate circuit court judges to ten years for the Supreme Court justices.

I recommend: Illinois Judges explains how judges can run for retention once their judicial terms of office are up.