General Civil Case Cover Sheet - Illinois

ILLINOIS STATE COURT

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET

Check the filing court's current cover-sheet requirements

A. COURT AND CAPTION INFORMATION

Case Caption:

[________________________________], Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________], Defendant(s).

B. PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s)

Defendant(s)

☐ Additional parties listed on attached addendum

C. ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT INFORMATION

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

Attorney for Defendant(s) (if known)

Self-Represented Party (if applicable)

☐ Check if filing party is self-represented

D. PRIMARY CASE CATEGORY

Select the filing court's current case type and code from its own instructions. This sheet supplies no statewide case-code list.

☐ Eviction action (use the filing court's eviction category and code, if applicable).

☐ Small claim (confirm that the action is a qualifying tort or contract money claim of no more than $10,000, excluding interest and costs, under Rule 281).

E. MONETARY CLAIM AND RULE 222 REVIEW

1. Amount claimed (exclusive of costs and interest): $[________________________________]

2. ☐ Rule 222(a) applies after checking the type of action, relief sought, and exclusions in that rule.

3. ☐ Rule 222(a) does not apply; reason: [________________________________].

4. ☐ The initial pleading seeks money damages; attach the separate damages affidavit required by Rule 222(b), stating whether total money damages sought exceed $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

5. ☐ This case involves a claim for attorney fees authorized by statute or contract.

F. JURY DEMAND

☐ Plaintiff demands trial by jury (735 ILCS 5/2-1105)
☐ Defendant demands trial by jury
☐ No jury demand (waiver may apply under 735 ILCS 5/2-1105)

Note: Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1105(a), a plaintiff seeking a jury must file the demand when the action is commenced; a defendant seeking a jury must file it no later than the answer. Pay any required jury fee under the applicable filing rules.

G. RELATED CASES AND SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

1. Does this case involve a minor or legally incompetent person?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No

2. Does this case involve a governmental entity?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No

3. Is this case related to a pending matter in this or another Illinois court?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No
   If Yes, list case number(s) and court(s): [________________________________]

4. Has any substantially similar action been previously filed and dismissed?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No
   If Yes, provide details: [________________________________]

5. Is a constitutional challenge raised?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No (If a qualifying constitutional or federal-preemption challenge is raised and the affected government entity is not already a party, serve notice on the appropriate government lawyer under Ill. S. Ct. R. 19.)

H. CASE COMPLEXITY DESIGNATION

☐ Standard
☐ Complex (anticipated extensive discovery, multiple parties, or novel legal issues)

Estimated number of witnesses: [____]
Estimated trial length: [____] days

I. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

☐ Mandatory arbitration applies (amount in controversy at or below county threshold)
☐ Mediation requested
☐ Other court-approved ADR process requested: [________________________________]
☐ ADR not applicable

J. ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION NEEDS

☐ No accommodations needed
☐ Interpreter required — Language: [________________________________]
☐ ADA accommodation required (describe): [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

K. FILING FEE SCHEDULE

Pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, check the current circuit clerk schedule for the case category and county before entering amounts:

☐ Filing fee tendered: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee waiver petition filed (735 ILCS 5/5-105)

Note: Filing fees in Illinois vary significantly by county, case type, and amount in controversy. Cook County fees differ from downstate counties. Always confirm the current fee schedule with the Circuit Clerk prior to filing. E-filing is mandatory statewide for most civil cases via the Illinois eFileIL system.

L. ATTORNEY / PARTY CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned, certify that:

1. The information contained in this cover sheet is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief;
2. I have checked the receiving court's instructions for any cover-sheet filing or service requirement; and
3. I have separately checked whether Rule 222(b) requires a damages affidavit with the initial pleading.

M. CLERK'S USE ONLY

N. FILING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Check whether the filing court requires a cover sheet and use its current form and instructions if it does.
2. File an original plus the number of copies required by local rule.
3. E-filing is mandatory statewide for most civil cases through the Illinois eFileIL system (https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov).
4. Pay all applicable fees at the time of filing. Payment methods accepted vary by county.
5. Retain proof of payment and a stamped copy for your records.
6. For medical malpractice cases, attach the required affidavit and physician report per 735 ILCS 5/2-622.
7. For residential foreclosure actions, check the complaint requirements in 735 ILCS 5/15-1504, attach the Homeowner Notice to the summons under section 15-1504.5, and confirm any filing fee under section 15-1504.1.

Sources and References

• Illinois Supreme Court Rules (current): https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/rules-law/supreme-court-rules/
• 735 ILCS 5/ (Code of Civil Procedure): https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2017
• 705 ILCS 105/27.1b (Circuit court clerk fees): https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/070501050K27.1b.htm
• Illinois eFileIL System: https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov

This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all information against current Illinois statutes, Supreme Court rules, and local circuit court rules before filing.