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The Big Picture

The following information is about civil appeals. For information about criminal appeals see Starting a case to appeal a criminal conviction.

If you lose a case in the circuit court, you can…

More on Civil appeals basics
Civil appeals video series
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Provided by: Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

This overview video is the first in a series by the AOIC designed to help self-represented litigants navigate civil appeals. These videos provide clear, step-by-step information to help people going to court without a lawyer. Going to court is never easy, but these videos may help prepare you. To view the videos in this series, click the links below:

For additional information, read our Civil Appeals Basics Guide.

Last full review by a subject matter expert
February 09, 2023
Last revised by staff
January 09, 2025

About our legal information

Forms

Notice of appeal Easy Form
This Easy Form helps you tell the court and other parties that you are appealing an order or judgment in your trial court case.
Fee waiver - Appellate Court Easy Form
This Easy Form helps you ask the appellate court to waive or reduce filing fees.
Request to withdraw an appeal of public benefits decision Blank form
Use this form to tell the Illinois Department of Human Services that you no longer want to appeal a public benefits decision.

Worried about doing this on your own?  You may be able to get free legal help.

Apply Online

The Big Picture

The following information is about civil appeals. For information about criminal appeals see Starting a case to appeal a criminal conviction.

If you lose a case in the circuit court, you can…

More on Civil appeals basics

Forms

Notice of appeal Easy Form
This Easy Form helps you tell the court and other parties that you are appealing an order or judgment in your trial court case.
Fee waiver - Appellate Court Easy Form
This Easy Form helps you ask the appellate court to waive or reduce filing fees.
Request to withdraw an appeal of public benefits decision Blank form
Use this form to tell the Illinois Department of Human Services that you no longer want to appeal a public benefits decision.