Court & Hearings resources

Find answers to common questions about civil appeals in Illinois, including the appeal process, filing requirements, and what happens in appellate court.

FAQ

How to prepare a brief for appellate court

Explains how to format an appellate brief with the necessary sections and citations.

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Appealing a circuit court decision

Explains how to file an appeal. Includes filing requirements, fees, and deadlines.

How-To

Civil appeals basics

Learn about the civil appeals process in Illinois, including how to get started, the forms you need, and resources to guide you.

Guide

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E-filing

Motions basics

Either side of a court case can file a motion. Motions ask the court to do something.

Guide

Appearance with e-filing

This Easy Form makes an Appearance that tells the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. It can also make a Jury Request if you want a jury to decide your case. The Easy Form can e-file your forms if you are using a fee waiver.

Easy Form

E-filing basics

Explains electronic filing, or e-filing. Includes an overview of the process, how to get started, and how to get help.

Guide

E-filing common questions

Commonly asked questions about e-filing in Illinois.

FAQ

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Fees

Fee waiver

This Easy Form helps you ask the court to waive or reduce filing fees.

Easy Form

Filing court papers for free

Steps to file court papers for free including the forms you need and a list of the services you won't have to pay for. You can file an Application for Waiver of Court Fee at any time during the court case.

How-To

Filing costs in a divorce

Learn more about the costs and fees associated with the divorce process in Illinois.

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Bonds and the end of cash bail in Illinois

This article explains what a bond is, the elimination of bonds in Illinois, and how judges now decide whether to release someone before their trial.

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Starting a new case

What is the difference between a summons and a subpoena?

Describes what a summons and subpoena are, how they are used and how they are different.

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Fee waiver

This Easy Form helps you ask the court to waive or reduce filing fees.

Easy Form

Serving a summons

Learn how to properly notify someone that a lawsuit has begun by arranging for the delivery, or 'service,' of the summons, including different methods of service.

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Starting a small claims court case

Steps to file a small claims lawsuit for $10,000 or less from the forms you need to preparing for trial.

How-To

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Responding to an existing case

Motion

This Easy Form helps you ask a judge to do something in a case you are involved in.

Easy Form

Respond to a lawsuit

This Easy Form helps you make Answer and Appearance forms to respond to a lawsuit. It can make optional forms for a Jury Request, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims.

Easy Form

Serving a summons

Learn how to properly notify someone that a lawsuit has begun by arranging for the delivery, or 'service,' of the summons, including different methods of service.

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I was never served with a lawsuit, do I need to go to court?

Offers information about when to go to court in a lawsuit case.

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During a case

Difference between dismissed with or without prejudice

Explains the different consequences of court cases that are ended with a ruling with or without prejudice. Dismissal with prejudice is a final judgment. A case dismissed without prejudice means it's not dismissed forever. The person whose case it is can try again.

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Motion

This Easy Form helps you ask a judge to do something in a case you are involved in.

Easy Form

What is the difference between a summons and a subpoena?

Describes what a summons and subpoena are, how they are used and how they are different.

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Fee waiver

This Easy Form helps you ask the court to waive or reduce filing fees.

Easy Form

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After a case closes

Difference between dismissed with or without prejudice

Explains the different consequences of court cases that are ended with a ruling with or without prejudice. Dismissal with prejudice is a final judgment. A case dismissed without prejudice means it's not dismissed forever. The person whose case it is can try again.

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I was never served with a lawsuit, do I need to go to court?

Offers information about when to go to court in a lawsuit case.

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How to access your court records

Explains how to look up information on court cases at the courthouse and online.

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Petition for rule to show cause - Family law cases

This program will create a Petition for Rule to Show Cause to help you enforce an earlier court order. Use it for Illinois family law orders, involving child support, divorce judgments, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting plans, or joint parenting agreements (custody or visitation).

Easy Form

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Administrative hearings

Getting your license back if it was suspended for unpaid tickets or tolls

Learn how to get your driver’s license reinstated after a suspension for unpaid traffic tickets, parking fines, or tolls with these steps.

How-To

Appealing a DCFS decision

Steps to appeal a DCFS decision from time limits to going to your administrative hearing.

How-To

Appealing an administrative review decision - Chicago

Explains the appeals process for cases involving city stickers, car impounds and building violations in Chicago.

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Fight a denial, reduction, or end in Social Security benefits

Steps to appeal a Social Security decision from the deadlines you must follow to how the administrative hearing works.

How-To

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Court alternatives

Settle before going to small claims court

Describes that although it may be in the best interest of both parties to settle, a judge must first approve it

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How to communicate effectively with someone who disagrees with you

Learn how to handle disagreements by listening, asking open questions, staying curious, and communicating respectfully to better understand each other.

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Mediation for parenting issues

Explains how mediation is used in a court process that involves parents of children. This could be a divorce case or other case involving parenting issues.

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Problem-solving courts for defendants

Problem-solving courts help eligible defendants with drug, mental health, DUI, or veteran issues avoid jail through treatment programs and expungement.

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Legal research

Overview of common law

Explains the phrase "common law" and how it works in the American legal system.

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Doing your own legal research

Learn more about legal research if you are representing yourself or if you want to understand which laws apply in your situation.

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Secondary sources for legal research

Learn about secondary legal sources like handbooks, treatises, and law reviews. Discover how they can help you understand legal issues, provide background information, and guide your research.

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Writing first drafts with AI tools

Steps for using AI tools like ChatGPT to help write legal messages and court papers.

How-To

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Legal Q & A

Difference between dismissed with or without prejudice

Explains the different consequences of court cases that are ended with a ruling with or without prejudice. Dismissal with prejudice is a final judgment. A case dismissed without prejudice means it's not dismissed forever. The person whose case it is can try again.

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What do abbreviations on a RAP sheet mean?

Explains the common shortening of words on a RAP sheet so that you can understand your arrest record. Includes abbreviations of charges, sentences, dispositions, court terms, police terms, and convictions.

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Who can perform a wedding?

Information about who can perform a wedding and what happens if someone performs a wedding who is not qualified.

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I received a subpoena and don't know what to do

Explains what you have to do if you receive a subpoena from the court. Do not ignore the subpoena. Failure to reply to a subpoena could result in charges of contempt of court, fines, and even jail time.

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Court & Hearings

Court & Hearings