Circuit Court

If you have a case, ticket, or court date in the Cook County IL Circuit Court, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to go, what to file, and how to get information. This guide walks you through how the Circuit Court in Cook County is organized, how to look up your case, ways to file documents and pay fines, what each major division does (civil, criminal, chancery, county, probate, appeals), and where to find self-help support if you do not have a lawyer.

Get Oriented: How the Cook County Circuit Court System Works

The Cook County Circuit Court is the trial court for Chicago and the surrounding suburbs in Cook County. It handles everything from traffic tickets and small claims to serious felony cases, probate and guardianship matters, mortgage foreclosures, and appeals.

Day to day, most people interact with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which is the administrative “front door” for the court system. The Clerk’s office:

Maintains the official court record
Accepts filings and fees
Manages case numbers and court calendars
Provides public access to case information
Offers self-help and pro se (self-represented) resources

You can access many of these services through the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County website, which is the main online hub for court information and services:
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County website

The court system is also split in two important ways:

By location – the Daley Center in downtown Chicago plus five suburban municipal district courthouses

By division – specialized court divisions that handle particular types of cases (civil, criminal, chancery, probate, etc.)

Understanding those two layers will help you know where your Cook County IL Circuit Court matter will be heard.

Figure Out Where Your Case Belongs in Cook County Circuit Court

Districts vs. Divisions: What’s the Difference?

A helpful way to think about the Cook County Circuit Court:

Districts are about where in the county your case is heard (Chicago vs. a particular suburb).

Divisions are about what type of case you have (civil money claim, foreclosure, adoption, felony, estate, etc.).

Districts (locations)
Cook County is divided into six municipal districts:

District 1 – Chicago (Daley Center and related court buildings)

Districts 2–6 – Suburban courthouses in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham

If your incident, property, or residence is in the suburbs, your case may be assigned to one of the suburban municipal districts rather than downtown. Tickets and many local matters go to the district that covers that area.

Divisions (type of case)
Within the Circuit Court, your case is also assigned to a division based on what it’s about. For example:

A car accident lawsuit for $20,000 goes to the Civil Division.
A foreclosure case goes to the Chancery Division.
A felony case in Chicago goes to the Criminal Division.
A will or guardianship case goes to the Probate Division.
An adoption or name change case goes to the County Division.

If you’re not sure which division handles your issue, the available divisions and services are outlined through the Clerk’s site and related pages, and staff can answer questions during business hours.

Look Up a Cook County Circuit Court Case Online

Whether you’re checking a court date, confirming a judgment, or following a case you’re involved in, you have a few online options to view Cook County Circuit Court case information.

Use the public online case information tools

Most everyday users start with the public search tools. You can access general case status information for many historic and active cases using the online case information page:
Online case information page

This option is geared toward members of the public who want to:

Confirm case numbers
Check upcoming court dates
See basic case status or disposition
Verify that filings have been recorded

You’ll generally need at least one of the following:

Case number
Party name
Ticket number (for certain traffic or ordinance cases)

If you do not know your case number, try searching by name and, if available, by date of birth or filing year.

Attorneys and justice partners: use the CCC Portal

Attorneys licensed in Illinois and certain government “justice partners” may have deeper access through the court’s secure portal, which provides case management information beyond the public view. If you fall into that category, you can log in using the CCC Portal Case Look Up:
CCC Portal Case Look Up

The portal is intended only for justice partners and Illinois-licensed attorneys. Members of the general public should stick with the public case information tools and other services on the Clerk’s site.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Cook County Circuit Court Case

Here’s a simple way to approach an online case search:

Gather details first
Full legal name
Case number (if you have it)
Ticket number (for traffic or some ordinance cases)
Approximate year of filing

Start with the public search tool
Go to the online case information page linked above.
Choose the search option that fits your information (case number vs. name).

Review the case summary carefully
Confirm the parties’ names to make sure it’s your case.
Note upcoming court dates and courtroom numbers.
Look at the division (civil, chancery, criminal, etc.) so you know what part of the Circuit Court is handling your matter.

If you still have questions, contact the Clerk’s office
Staff can help explain how to read the online information, though they cannot give legal advice.
You may also visit the relevant division in person if you need certified copies or want to review a paper court file.

Learn What Each Major Circuit Court Division Does

Knowing what each division handles can help you understand where your case fits in the Cook County IL Circuit Court and what to expect.

Civil Division: Money disputes and smaller civil cases

The Civil Division handles civil cases seeking damages less than $30,000. Typical case types include:

Contract disputes
Property damage claims
Personal injury claims within the dollar limit
Eviction actions
Replevin (getting property returned)
Housing matters
Garnishments and attachments

Case files in this division usually include complaints, court orders, motions, affidavits, appearances, summons, and related documents. If you’re filing a small or moderate money claim, there’s a good chance it belongs here.

Chancery Division: Equity, foreclosures, and complex remedies

The Chancery Division focuses on matters where you’re often asking the court to do or stop something, not just award money. Common Chancery cases include:

Injunctions (asking the court to order someone to do or stop doing something)
Mortgage foreclosures
Mechanics’ liens
Class actions
Declaratory judgments
Contract disputes involving equitable relief
Creditors’ rights
Construction of wills and trusts
Trusteeships and receiverships
Dissolution of partnerships or corporations
Statutory and administrative reviews (challenging agency decisions)

If you’re dealing with a foreclosure, surplus funds after a foreclosure sale, or a complex dispute over rights and obligations, your Cook County Circuit Court matter may be assigned to Chancery.

County Division: Adoptions, elections, mental health, and more

The County Division handles a wide variety of special matters, including:

Adoptions
Election-related cases
Emancipation of minors
Mental health proceedings
Municipal incorporation issues
Orders of protection tied to mental health proceedings
Name change petitions
Tax deed and tax objection cases
Other cases formerly heard in Circuit Court that don’t fall into another division

Many County Division matters are highly specialized and governed by specific statutes, so it is especially important to read court forms and instructions carefully or talk to a lawyer if possible.

Criminal Department: Misdemeanor and preliminary felony matters in Chicago

The Criminal Department is responsible for:

Felony preliminary hearings in Chicago (First Municipal District)
Misdemeanor criminal cases
“Quasi-criminal” cases (certain ordinance and similar matters)
Domestic violence cases heard in the Chicago Domestic Violence Courts
Coordination with branch courts and Central Bond Court

Files may contain arrest reports, complaints, warrants, bond slips, appearances, court orders, motions, and other documents. This department operates every day of the year and works closely with branch courts and bond courts.

Criminal Division: Felony trials and serious criminal matters

The Criminal Division hears felony trial cases arising in the City of Chicago. Felony cases are those with potential prison terms of more than one year. This division also handles:

Habeas corpus matters
Petitions to expunge or seal criminal records
Post-conviction relief petitions
Notices of appeal in felony cases
Identity theft cases
Certificates of good conduct
Various motions related to felony trials

If you have a serious criminal case pending in Chicago, your Cook County Circuit Court proceedings will likely be assigned to this division once they move past the preliminary hearing stage.

Probate Division: Wills, estates, and guardianships

The Probate Division hears cases involving:

Probate of wills and contests over wills
Administration of estates for deceased persons
Guardianship for disabled adults
Guardianship of minors and wards
Claims against estates (including contract and tort claims)
Petitions related to insurance and certain trust matters
Actions involving contracts to make a will or construction of wills

Probate cases can involve detailed procedures and multiple court orders over time, especially for larger estates or long-term guardianships.

Civil Appeals Division: Records on appeal

The Civil Appeals Division prepares the Record on Appeal in civil matters when someone files a Notice of Appeal from a Circuit Court decision. This division:

Handles appeals from divisions such as Chancery, Civil, County, Domestic Relations, Law, Probate, and others in Districts 1–6

Compiles the common law record, judgments, orders, reports of proceedings, and exhibits where required

Works under the Illinois Supreme Court Rules governing appeals

If you file a civil Notice of Appeal from a Cook County IL Circuit Court case, this division is responsible for assembling and transmitting the Record on Appeal to the appropriate reviewing court.

File Documents in Cook County Circuit Court: Forms and eFiling

Most filings in the Cook County Circuit Court must now be done electronically, with limited exceptions. That means you’ll be using both forms and eFile systems to get documents into the court record.

Start with the Clerk’s eFile information

The Clerk’s office provides an overview of electronic filing, approved service providers, and how to begin the process on its eFile information page:
eFile information page

There you’ll find:

Basic instructions for eFiling in Cook County
Links to state-approved eFiling service providers
Information on exemptions and when paper filing may still be allowed

Use the right forms: local Circuit Court forms and statewide forms

Many cases require specific forms. Cook County provides its own set of local forms for use with the Circuit Court, which you can access here:
Cook County Circuit Court forms site

For many areas of law—such as family, eviction, or small claims—the Illinois Supreme Court has also approved standardized statewide forms. Those are available at:
Illinois Supreme Court standard court forms

In general:

Check if your case type has a statewide approved form and use that first.

If Cook County has a local form for a particular motion or procedure, use the local form as instructed by the court.

Follow instructions carefully, including any notarization or verification requirements.

Appeals: submitting materials for the Record on Appeal

If you are pursuing a civil appeal from a Cook County case, certain reports of proceedings and trial exhibits must be submitted electronically through the Electronic Appeals Filings portal:
Electronic Appeals Filings portal

Each exhibit must be submitted separately in PDF format, and you must follow applicable Illinois Supreme Court Rules for appeals.

Pay Tickets, Fines, and Court Fees in Cook County

If you have a traffic ticket, fine, or court fee to pay in a Cook County Circuit Court case, you may be able to handle it online.

The Clerk’s site provides centralized information about paying court fines and fees, including traffic court diversion and traffic safety school, through its Pay Tickets/Fines service:
Pay Tickets/Fines service

From there, you’ll find links and instructions to:

Pay eligible tickets and fines
Learn about traffic diversion options and traffic safety school
Understand which cases qualify for online payment vs. in-person payment

Be sure to have your case or ticket number handy before you begin.

Join Remote Court Sessions: Zoom Information for Circuit Court

Many Cook County Circuit Court proceedings can be held remotely, especially status hearings and some types of non-evidentiary matters. Each courtroom that uses remote appearances has its own Zoom details and rules.

The official source for remote hearing information is the Circuit Court Zoom Information page, which is maintained for Cook County courtrooms:
Circuit Court Zoom Information page

On that page you can typically find:

Zoom meeting IDs and links by judge or courtroom
Technical instructions for joining a court session
Rules for how to appear (muting, naming yourself, dress and behavior expectations)

Even for remote appearances, you are still “in court” and must follow all the judge’s instructions and courtroom rules.

Use Self-Help and Pro Se Support in Cook County Circuit Court

Not everyone in Cook County IL Circuit Court has a lawyer. The Clerk’s office and the court system provide a range of resources to help self-represented litigants understand the process and complete basic tasks.

Self Help resources on the Clerk’s site

The Clerk offers a central hub of guides, brochures, and other self-help tools on its Self Help resources page:
Self Help resources

Here you may find:

Brochures that explain common procedures in plain language
Guidance on how to file certain types of cases or motions
Information on accessing forms and understanding deadlines

These materials do not replace legal advice, but they can help you understand the steps involved in your Cook County Circuit Court case.

Pro Se/Self-Represented Litigant Center

The court also supports a dedicated Pro Se/Self-Represented Litigant Center, where self-represented individuals can get focused assistance with navigating the court system:
Pro Se/Self-Represented Litigant Center

Depending on the program and staffing, you may receive help with:

Understanding which forms you need
Learning how to file documents correctly
Getting general information about court procedures

The staff there cannot act as your lawyer or give you legal strategies, but they can help you avoid common filing and procedure mistakes.

Explore Other Key Services Offered by the Clerk’s Office

The Clerk’s office is more than just a filing window. It also provides additional services that tie into Circuit Court functions, such as:

Passports – Passport applications are handled through an office of the Clerk (located at the Daley Center), which can be helpful if you’re already downtown for a court matter.

Expungement and sealing – Individuals with qualifying arrests or convictions may file to expunge or seal records in certain circumstances, with procedures outlined through the Clerk’s services and forms.

Archives – For older cases, the Archives department maintains pre-electronic court records and helps the public access historic files.

These services connect back to the underlying court record, so they are managed by or closely coordinated with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Live Help: Chat and Call Center Support

If you’re confused about what division your case is in, how to read your online case information, or which form you need, the Clerk’s office offers live assistance options during regular business hours:

Customer service call center – Provides phone support and can direct you to the right division or district.

Live chat with a clerk – Many pages on the Clerk’s site include a “Launch chat” option during office hours (Monday–Friday, generally 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Staff can:

Confirm which office handles your type of case
Explain what certain docket entries or notices mean in plain language
Help you understand next steps (like where and how to file a document)

They cannot, however, give you legal advice about whether you should file a particular motion or how you should argue your case.

Circuit Court–Related Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County – 50 W. Washington, Suite 1001, Chicago, Illinois 60602-1305 – (312) 603-5030

Municipal District 1 – Chicago – 50 W. Washington, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – (312) 603-5030

Municipal District 2 – Skokie – 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie, Illinois 60077 – (847) 470-7250

Municipal District 3 – Rolling Meadows – 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008 – (847) 818-3000

Municipal District 4 – Maywood – 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, Illinois 60153 – (708) 865-6040

Municipal District 5 – Bridgeview – 10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview, Illinois 60455 – (708) 974-6500

Municipal District 6 – Markham – 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham, Illinois 60426 – (708) 232-4551

Chancery Division – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 802, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-5133

Civil Division – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 601, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-5116

Civil Appeals Division – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 801, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-5406

County Division – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-5710

Criminal Department – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 1006, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-4641

Criminal Division – 2650 South California Ave., 5th Floor Room 526, Chicago, Illinois 60608 – 773-674-3140

Probate Division – Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, Illinois 60602 – 312-603-6441

Cook County Circuit Court FAQs

How do I look up my Cook County case online?

You can check the status of many historic and active cases through the Clerk’s public online case information system, which lets you search by case number or other basic details: public online case information. Attorneys and approved justice partners can access more detailed case-management data through the secure CCC Portal. The portal requires registration and is limited to Illinois-licensed attorneys and designated agencies, so most self-represented litigants should use the public case lookup instead.

Where can I get official court forms for Cook County cases?

Most local forms used in Cook County are posted on the Clerk’s Forms page, including small claims, civil, criminal, probate, and other division-specific filings: Cook County Circuit Court forms. For forms that must be accepted statewide—such as standard appearance, fee-waiver, and appeal documents—you can use the Illinois Supreme Court Approved Forms available through the judiciary’s website: Illinois Supreme Court approved forms. Always check both sites if your judge or division requires a specific format.

How do I e-file documents in Cook County?

Most new filings and many subsequent filings must be submitted electronically. Cook County participates in the statewide e-filing system, and the Clerk provides a dedicated information page that explains service providers, basic requirements, and how to start an e-filing account: eFile information and access. From there, you can choose an approved electronic filing service provider, upload PDFs of your documents, and pay required fees online unless you have an approved fee-waiver order.

What official online tools exist besides basic case lookup?

The Clerk’s site centralizes several services in one place. In addition to case search and e-filing, you can find links for paying certain tickets, fines, and fees, as well as access to brochures and self-help materials. A good starting hub is the Available Services section, which explains case lookup, online payments, expungement, archives access, and more: Available services overview. This page helps you navigate to the correct division or online tool before your court date.