Civil Action Cover Sheet — Illinois Circuit Court

ILLINOIS CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET

Circuit Court — Civil Case Initiation

Court System: Circuit Court of Illinois
Cook County Form Reference: CCL 0520 (Law Division) / CCG 0603 (General Fee Schedule)
E-Filing System: eFileIL (https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov)

Important: This template is a comprehensive intake worksheet for initiating civil cases in Illinois Circuit Courts. Illinois has a unified circuit court system, but case types, division assignments, and some local rules vary between Cook County and downstate (non-Cook) counties. This template covers both. Family law, probate, criminal, and juvenile cases use different initiating documents.

SECTION 1: COURT IDENTIFICATION AND CAPTION

1.1 Circuit and County

Illinois has 24 judicial circuits. Cook County (1st Circuit) is the largest. Select the appropriate circuit and county:

Circuit: [________________________________]
County: [________________________________]

1.2 Division Assignment (Cook County)

If filing in Cook County, select the applicable division:

☐ Law Division — Civil suits for monetary damages

• City of Chicago: Exceeding $30,000
• Suburban Districts 2–6: Exceeding $100,000

☐ Civil Division (Municipal Department, District 1) — Civil suits for monetary damages not exceeding $30,000 in Chicago

☐ Chancery Division — Equitable relief: injunctions, declaratory judgments, foreclosures, accounting, partition, quiet title, class actions

☐ Probate Division — (Use separate cover sheet)

☐ Domestic Relations Division — (Use separate cover sheet)

☐ Not Cook County — Division assignment per local rule: [________________________________]

1.3 Case Caption

Cook County Format:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
COUNTY DEPARTMENT, [________________________________] DIVISION

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),

v.                                              Case No.: [________________]
                                                Calendar: [________________]
                                                (Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

Downstate (Non-Cook) Format:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE [____] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
[________________________________] COUNTY, ILLINOIS

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),

v.                                              Case No.: [________________]
                                                (Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

SECTION 2: PARTY INFORMATION

2.1 Plaintiff(s)

Plaintiff 1:

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional plaintiffs — See attached continuation sheet

2.2 Defendant(s)

Defendant 1:

Defendant 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional defendants — See attached continuation sheet

2.3 Interpreter / Accommodation Needs

☐ Interpreter needed — Language: [________________________________]
☐ ADA accommodation needed — Describe: [________________________________]

SECTION 3: ATTORNEY OR SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY

3.1 Attorney Information

ARDC Requirement: All attorneys practicing in Illinois must have an active registration with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). The ARDC number must appear on all filed documents.

3.2 Self-Represented (Pro Se) Party

☐ This party is self-represented (pro se)

SECTION 4: CASE TYPE CLASSIFICATION

Instructions: Select the ONE case type that best describes this action. Case types differ between Cook County and downstate circuits. The eFileIL system uses standardized public-facing codes.

4.1 Law Division — Personal Injury / Wrongful Death (Cook County)

☐ Motor Vehicle (Auto Negligence)
☐ Premises Liability
☐ Construction Injuries
☐ Medical Malpractice
☐ Other Personal Injury / Wrongful Death
☐ Intentional Tort
☐ Products Liability
☐ Asbestos
☐ Pediatric Lead Exposure
☐ Railroad / FELA
☐ Wrongful Death (separate from specific tort type above)

4.2 Law Division — Commercial Litigation (Cook County)

☐ Other Commercial Litigation
☐ Breach of Contract
☐ Consumer Fraud
☐ Fraud
☐ Statutory Action
☐ Retaliatory Discharge

4.3 Law Division — Professional Malpractice (Cook County)

☐ Professional Malpractice (Non-Medical)
☐ Legal Malpractice
☐ Accounting Malpractice
☐ Other Professional Malpractice: [________________________________]

4.4 Law Division — Other Actions (Cook County)

☐ Libel / Slander
☐ Petition for Discovery
☐ Petition for Qualified Orders
☐ Petition to Issue Subpoena

4.5 Law Division — Tax and Miscellaneous Remedies (Cook County)

☐ Administrative Review Action
☐ Condemnation / Eminent Domain
☐ Tax (Property Tax Objection)
☐ Unemployment Compensation
☐ All Other Extraordinary Remedies (Mandamus, Quo Warranto, etc.)

4.6 Civil Division / Municipal Department (Cook County District 1)

☐ Breach of Contract (under $30,000)
☐ Personal Injury — Motor Vehicle (under $30,000)
☐ Personal Injury — Other (under $30,000)
☐ Property Damage
☐ Product Liability (under $30,000)
☐ Consumer Fraud
☐ Confession of Judgment
☐ Foreign Judgment — Outside Illinois
☐ Other Commercial Litigation Case
☐ Eviction (Possession)
☐ Replevin
☐ Detinue
☐ Name Change
☐ Tort — Intentional
☐ Tort — Not Personal Injury
☐ Pro Se Complaint

4.7 Chancery Division (Cook County)

☐ General Chancery
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Owner Occupied Single-Family / Condo)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Non-Owner Occupied Single-Family / Condo)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Multi-Unit Residential 7+ Units)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Commercial / Mixed / Industrial)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Vacant Land)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure (Vacant Residential)
☐ Strict Foreclosure
☐ Declaratory Judgment
☐ Injunction
☐ Class Action
☐ Quiet Title
☐ Partition
☐ Mechanic's Lien
☐ Accounting
☐ Administrative Review
☐ Specific Performance
☐ Interpleader
☐ Mandamus
☐ Certiorari

4.8 Downstate (Non-Cook County) Civil Case Types

☐ Civil — Law (General)
☐ Civil — Chancery (Equity)
☐ Small Claims
☐ Eviction
☐ Administrative Review
☐ Tax Objection
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Selected Case Type: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

5.1 Jurisdictional Threshold

Illinois circuit courts have unlimited civil jurisdiction. However, case assignment to divisions depends on the amount claimed:

Cook County:
☐ Exceeds $30,000 — Law Division (City of Chicago, District 1)
☐ Does not exceed $30,000 — Civil Division / Municipal Department (District 1)
☐ Exceeds $100,000 — Law Division (Suburban Districts 2–6)
☐ Does not exceed $100,000 — Civil Division (Suburban Districts 2–6)
☐ Equity / non-monetary — Chancery Division

Downstate:
☐ Amount exceeds local threshold for general docket: [________________________________]
☐ Amount does not exceed small claims limit ($10,000)

5.2 Specific Amount

Monetary damages claimed (exclusive of interest, fees, and costs):

☐ Under $10,000 (small claims eligible)
☐ $10,000 — $29,999
☐ $30,000 — $49,999
☐ $50,000 — $99,999
☐ $100,000 — $249,999
☐ $250,000 — $499,999
☐ $500,000 — $999,999
☐ $1,000,000 or more
☐ Amount unspecified

Specific amount (if stated): $ [________________________________]

5.3 Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

☐ Injunctive relief (TRO / preliminary / permanent injunction)
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Foreclosure
☐ Specific performance
☐ Accounting
☐ Quiet title
☐ Partition
☐ Class certification sought
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

SECTION 6: JURY DEMAND

Illinois Constitution, Article I, Section 13, guarantees the right to jury trial. 735 ILCS 5/2-1105 governs jury demands.

☐ Jury trial demanded

• Jury demand must be filed at or before the call of the case for trial
• In Cook County: File jury demand with the complaint or within a reasonable time
• Jury fee varies by county (check local schedule)

☐ Non-jury (bench trial)

Note: In equity/chancery cases, there is generally no right to a jury trial. The court may, however, impanel an advisory jury. Failure to file a timely demand in a law case constitutes waiver.

SECTION 7: RELATED CASES

7.1 Related Case Disclosure

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Illinois court?

☐ No related cases
☐ Yes — Provide details below:

7.2 Consolidation or Transfer

☐ Motion for consolidation to be filed
☐ Request for assignment to same judge as related case
☐ Transfer from another county anticipated
☐ None

SECTION 8: FILING FEES

8.1 Filing Fee Schedule (735 ILCS 5/5-105 et seq.)

Filing fees in Illinois vary by county and case type. Below are representative ranges:

Cook County (Law Division) — Approximate Fees:

Downstate Counties — Approximate Ranges:

Note: Filing fees vary significantly by county and are set by county boards under 705 ILCS 105/27.2. Effective January 1, 2025, Public Act 103-671 requires Cook County to collect $5.00 per party for Sheriff service. Verify exact fees with the circuit clerk before filing.

8.2 Payment Information

Filing fee amount: $ [________________________________]
Payment method: ☐ eFileIL (credit/debit card / eCheck) ☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Cash (in person only)
☐ Fee waiver petition filed (735 ILCS 5/5-105 — standardized fee waiver form)

SECTION 9: SERVICE OF PROCESS

9.1 Service Methods (735 ILCS 5/2-201 through 2-210)

Defendant 1: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff / deputy (Section 2-202)
☐ Personal service by a licensed private detective / special process server (Section 2-202(a))
☐ Service by certified or registered mail (Section 2-203.1 — not valid for all case types)
☐ Service by publication (when other methods unavailable — Section 2-206; requires court order)
☐ Abode service / substitute service (leaving copy with family member age 13+ at usual place of abode — Section 2-203)
☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent (corporate defendant — 805 ILCS 5/5.25)
☐ Waiver of service

Defendant 2: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff / deputy
☐ Personal service by a licensed private detective / special process server
☐ Service by certified or registered mail
☐ Service by publication
☐ Abode service / substitute service
☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent
☐ Waiver of service

9.2 Service Addresses

9.3 Registered Agent Service (Corporate / LLC Defendants)

Note: Search the Illinois Secretary of State — Business Services (https://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/) for current registered agent information.

SECTION 10: E-FILING — eFileIL

10.1 eFileIL System Information

Illinois uses eFileIL, powered by Tyler Technologies / Odyssey, for statewide mandatory electronic filing.

• E-Filing Portal: https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov
• Mandatory for Attorneys: Yes — All attorneys must e-file in civil and family cases (effective statewide since 2018)
• Self-Represented Litigants: May e-file through eFileIL or use approved e-filing service providers; paper filing still available at clerk's window
• E-Filing Service Providers (EFSPs): Multiple approved providers available (e.g., File & ServeXpress, Odyssey eFileIL)
• Accepted Formats: PDF (required; max 25 MB per document)
• Filing Time: Documents filed by 11:59 PM CST are deemed filed that day

10.2 eFileIL Filing Steps

1. Register at https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov or through an approved EFSP
2. Select "File into New Case" or "File into Existing Case"
3. Select County, Location (Cook County: District/Division), and Case Category
4. Select the Case Type from the drop-down menu
5. Enter party information and attorney details
6. Upload the complaint and cover sheet as PDF
7. Select the filing code for each document (e.g., "Complaint," "Civil Cover Sheet," "Summons")
8. Enter payment information for filing fees
9. Submit — confirmation email will be sent with envelope number
10. Monitor for clerk acceptance or rejection

10.3 Cook County Specific E-Filing Notes

• Cook County uses a specialized version of eFileIL with county-specific filing codes
• Case type selection automatically routes to the correct division
• Summons must be issued through the Clerk's office after filing
• Pay attention to district assignment (Districts 1–6) based on location

SECTION 11: MANDATORY ARBITRATION (SELECT COUNTIES)

Certain Illinois counties have mandatory arbitration programs for cases below a specified dollar threshold (typically $50,000 or $75,000).

☐ Subject to mandatory arbitration — Amount in controversy falls within the county's mandatory arbitration limit

• Cook County: Cases seeking $75,000 or less in damages are subject to mandatory arbitration
• Other counties: Varies (check local court rules)

☐ Not subject to mandatory arbitration — Amount exceeds threshold or case type is exempt

☐ Exempt from arbitration — Reason: [________________________________]

SECTION 12: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided on this civil cover sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I certify that this case is properly venued in this county under Illinois law. I have read and understand my obligations under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137 regarding certification of pleadings and motions, and I certify that this filing is not interposed for any improper purpose.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________________________
Signature

_________________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
ARDC No.: [________________________________]
Representing: ☐ Plaintiff(s)  ☐ Defendant(s)  ☐ Self (Pro Se)

Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
         [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

SECTION 13: FILING CHECKLIST

Before filing, confirm the following documents are prepared:

☐ Civil Cover Sheet (Cook County CCL 0520 or applicable county form) — completed
☐ Complaint / Petition (original, signed — Supreme Court Rule 131)
☐ Summons (to be issued by Clerk upon filing)
☐ Filing fee payment or fee waiver application (735 ILCS 5/5-105)
☐ Copies for service on each defendant
☐ Lis pendens (if real property action — 735 ILCS 5/2-1901)
☐ Jury demand (if requesting jury trial)
☐ Certificate of merit / expert report (if medical malpractice — 735 ILCS 5/2-622)
☐ Class action certification motion (if applicable)
☐ Emergency motion / TRO (if expedited relief sought)
☐ Corporate disclosure statement (if applicable)
☐ Mandatory arbitration cover sheet (if applicable under local rule)

SECTION 14: PRACTITIONER NOTES

14.1 Venue Rules (735 ILCS 5/2-101 through 2-108)

• General venue: County of defendant's residence (Section 2-102)
• Transitory actions: County where the transaction or occurrence giving rise to the cause of action occurred (Section 2-101)
• Real property: County where the property is located (Section 2-103)
• Corporate defendants: County where registered office or agent is located, or where the transaction occurred (Section 2-102(a))
• Government entities: County where the principal office is located (Section 2-101)
• Improper venue: Defendant may move to transfer; case is transferred rather than dismissed (Section 2-104)
• Forum non conveniens: Available under Section 2-101

14.2 Statute of Limitations Reminders

14.3 Illinois-Specific Procedural Notes

1. Medical Malpractice Affidavit and Report: Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, a medical malpractice complaint must be accompanied by an affidavit and written report of a qualified health professional stating there is reasonable and meritorious cause for filing, or the complaint will be dismissed.

2. Modified Comparative Fault: Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). A plaintiff who is more than 50% at fault is barred from recovery; otherwise, damages are reduced by the plaintiff's percentage of fault.

3. Prejudgment Interest: Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1303, prejudgment interest accrues at 5% per annum from the date the complaint is filed on compensatory damages.

4. Cook County vs. Downstate Practice: Cook County has substantially different local rules, division structures, and practice customs compared to downstate circuits. Practitioners unfamiliar with Cook County should consult the Cook County Circuit Court Local Rules carefully.

5. Mandatory Disclosure Under Supreme Court Rule 222: Certain cases must comply with expedited discovery and disclosure requirements.

6. Punitive Damages: Illinois generally does not recognize punitive damages except in cases involving willful and wanton conduct or statutory authorization. There is no statutory cap on punitive damages.

14.4 Key Court Contacts

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• eFileIL — Illinois Courts E-Filing: https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov
• eFileIL Public Facing Configuration Codes: https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/eFileIL-PublicFacing-Configuration-Codes-v1.3.pdf
• Cook County Case Types (Green Filing): https://www.greenfiling.com/illinois/cook-county-available-case-types
• Cook County Circuit Court — Law Division: https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/division/law-division
• Cook County Clerk of Circuit Court: https://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org
• Illinois Courts — E-Filing Information: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/eservices/circuit-court-e-filing/
• Illinois Secretary of State — Business Search: https://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/
• 735 ILCS 5 (Code of Civil Procedure): https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2017