APPEARANCE

Illinois Circuit Court -- Civil Division

Note: In Illinois practice, this document is typically titled "Appearance" rather than "Notice of Appearance." The filing of an Appearance is governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 13.

COURT IDENTIFICATION

County: [________________________________]

Division:

☐ Law Division
☐ Chancery Division
☐ Municipal Division
☐ Domestic Relations Division
☐ Probate Division
☐ County Division
☐ Other: [________________________________]

District (Cook County only):

☐ First Municipal District (Chicago -- Daley Center)
☐ Second Municipal District (Skokie)
☐ Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows)
☐ Fourth Municipal District (Maywood)
☐ Fifth Municipal District (Bridgeview)
☐ Sixth Municipal District (Markham)
☐ Not applicable (outside Cook County)

SECTION 1: COURT CAPTION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY, ILLINOIS
[________________________________] DIVISION
[________________________________] DISTRICT (if applicable)

[________________________________],
Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [________________________________]

[________________________________],
Defendant.

SECTION 2: TITLE

APPEARANCE

(Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 13)

SECTION 3: TYPE OF APPEARANCE

Select the type of appearance being entered:

☐ General Appearance -- Full representation in all aspects of this matter (Rule 13(a))
☐ Limited Scope Appearance -- Appearance for specified court proceedings only (Rule 13(c)(6)) (see Section 9)
☐ Special Appearance -- Appearance solely to contest personal jurisdiction pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-301 (see Section 5B)
☐ Substitution of Counsel -- Replacement of prior counsel of record (see Section 10)
☐ Additional Counsel -- Entering as co-counsel alongside existing counsel of record

SECTION 4: ENTRY OF APPEARANCE STATEMENT

For General Appearance:

The undersigned, [________________________________], ARDC No. [________________________________], of the firm [________________________________], pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 13, hereby enters an appearance on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), the [________________________________] [Plaintiff/Defendant/Third-Party Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff/Cross-Claimant/Intervenor] in the above-captioned cause.

Please serve all pleadings, motions, notices, orders, and other papers upon the undersigned in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12.

For Additional Counsel:

The undersigned, [________________________________], ARDC No. [________________________________], of the firm [________________________________], pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 13, hereby enters an appearance as additional counsel of record on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), the [________________________________] in the above-captioned cause, in addition to existing counsel of record [________________________________], ARDC No. [________________________________].

SECTION 5: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

A. Appearing Attorney

Attorney Name: [________________________________]
ARDC No.: [________________________________]
Firm Name: [________________________________]
Street Address: [________________________________]
[________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________], Illinois [____]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Facsimile: [________________________________]
Primary Email: [________________________________]
Secondary Email: [________________________________]
Additional Attorneys Entering Appearance (if applicable):

Attorney Name: [________________________________]
ARDC No.: [________________________________]
Primary Email: [________________________________]

B. Special Appearance (735 ILCS 5/2-301)

If entering a special appearance to contest personal jurisdiction:

☐ This appearance is made solely for the purpose of objecting to the jurisdiction of the court over the person of the defendant, pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-301
☐ The defendant does not submit to the jurisdiction of this court by filing this special appearance
☐ The defendant reserves all objections to personal jurisdiction

SECTION 6: ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE

A. eFileIL / Odyssey E-Filing

The undersigned acknowledges and consents to the following:

☐ This filing is being submitted through eFileIL (Odyssey) as required by the Illinois Supreme Court for mandatory e-filing
☐ The undersigned is registered with eFileIL and will submit all future filings electronically
☐ The undersigned designates the email address(es) listed above for electronic service through eFileIL/Odyssey pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 11(b)

B. Electronic Service Designation

Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(b), the undersigned designates the following email address(es) for electronic service:

Primary e-service email: [________________________________]
Secondary e-service email: [________________________________]

☐ Electronic service is accepted unless otherwise indicated
☐ The undersigned will monitor the designated email address(es) for service

C. Service on Non-Registered Parties

For parties not registered with eFileIL, service will be made by:

☐ U.S. Mail
☐ Personal delivery
☐ Facsimile (with prior agreement)
☐ Other method as permitted by Supreme Court Rule 11

SECTION 7: PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION

Complete this section only if counsel is not admitted in Illinois.

A. Pro Hac Vice Application Status

☐ A Verified Statement for Pro Hac Vice Admission pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 707 is being filed simultaneously
☐ An Order or authorization for pro hac vice appearance was granted on [__/__/____]
☐ Not applicable -- all counsel are admitted in Illinois

B. Pro Hac Vice Attorney Information

Out-of-State Attorney Name: [________________________________]
Bar Admission(s): [________________________________] (Bar No. [____])
[________________________________] (Bar No. [____])
Good Standing in All Bars: ☐ Yes

C. Rule 707 Requirements

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 707 grants eligible out-of-state attorneys immediate authorization to appear upon filing of a verified Statement and appearance by associated local counsel:

☐ The applicant has filed a verified Statement with the court
☐ The applicant has associated with local counsel admitted in Illinois (see below)
☐ The one-time nonrefundable fee of $250 per proceeding has been paid
☐ The annual ARDC registration fee of $121 has been paid
☐ The applicant agrees to be bound by the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct
☐ The applicant is not an Illinois resident
☐ The applicant does not regularly practice law in Illinois

D. Illinois Local Counsel

An attorney admitted to practice in Illinois must serve as local counsel:

Illinois Local Counsel Name: [________________________________]
ARDC No.: [________________________________]
Firm Name: [________________________________]
Illinois Office Address: [________________________________]
[________________________________], Illinois [____]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Note: Local counsel must enter an appearance in the case and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Illinois court rules and procedures.

SECTION 8: APPEARANCE FEES

A. Circuit Court Appearance Fee

☐ The applicable appearance fee has been paid through eFileIL
☐ Fee amount: $[________________________________]
☐ Proof of payment is attached or on file with the clerk

Cook County Specific: In Cook County, if a single appearance is entered for several parties, a single appearance fee is paid. If separate appearances are entered for several parties, separate appearance fees are paid.

B. Fee Waiver

☐ The undersigned is requesting a fee waiver pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/5-105
☐ A Fee Waiver Application is being filed simultaneously

SECTION 9: LIMITED SCOPE APPEARANCE

Complete this section only if entering a limited scope appearance.

A. Notice of Limited Scope Appearance

Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 13(c)(6), the undersigned enters this appearance solely for the following limited court proceeding(s):

☐ Specific motion: [________________________________]
☐ Specific hearing on [__/__/____] regarding: [________________________________]
☐ Discovery proceedings
☐ Mediation or alternative dispute resolution
☐ Trial proceedings only
☐ Specific legal issue: [________________________________]
☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

B. Statewide Approved Form

☐ The approved statewide form for Notice of Limited Scope Appearance is being used or is attached
☐ The Notice of Limited Scope Appearance identifies the precise court proceeding(s) covered

C. Party Responsibility

Pursuant to Rule 13(c)(6), the party on whose behalf this Notice of Limited Scope Appearance is filed remains responsible, either personally or through another attorney, for all matters not specifically identified in this Notice.

D. Multiple Limited Scope Appearances

An attorney may file a Notice of Limited Scope Appearance more than once in a case. A new Notice of Limited Scope Appearance must be filed before each additional aspect of the proceeding in which the attorney intends to appear.

E. Withdrawal from Limited Scope Appearance (Rule 13(c)(7))

Upon completion of the representation specified in this Notice, the undersigned intends to withdraw by:

☐ Method 1: In-court presentment of the approved statewide form Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Appearance
☐ Method 2: Filing and serving a Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Appearance with the court and serving the client and all parties

F. Client Acknowledgment

☐ Client has been informed in writing of the limited scope nature of this representation
☐ Client understands that the undersigned attorney will not represent the client beyond the specified scope
☐ Client remains responsible for all matters not specifically identified in this Notice

SECTION 10: SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL

Complete this section only if this appearance constitutes a substitution.

A. Withdrawing Counsel Information

Withdrawing Attorney Name: [________________________________]
ARDC No.: [________________________________]
Firm Name: [________________________________]

B. Basis for Substitution

☐ Withdrawing counsel has filed a motion to withdraw in compliance with Supreme Court Rule 13(c)(2) and applicable local rules
☐ An Order granting withdrawal was entered on [__/__/____]
☐ The client consents to the withdrawal and substitution
☐ Withdrawing counsel's Appearance was a limited scope appearance that has concluded per Rule 13(c)(7)

SECTION 11: SIGNATURE BLOCK

Dated: [__/__/____]

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Firm Name)

By: ________________________________________
[________________________________]
ARDC No. [________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________], Illinois [____]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Primary Email: [________________________________]
Secondary Email: [________________________________]

Attorney for [________________________________]

SECTION 12: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned certifies that on [__/__/____], a copy of the foregoing Appearance was served via the method(s) indicated below, in compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12, on:

________________________________________
[________________________________]
ARDC No. [________________________________]

SECTION 13: E-FILING INSTRUCTIONS -- eFileIL / ODYSSEY

Step-by-Step Filing Procedure

1. Navigate to eFileIL at efile.illinoiscourts.gov
2. Log in with your registered credentials (registration required for all attorneys)
3. Select the correct county and division
4. Search for the existing case by case number or party name
5. Select filing type: "Appearance" or "Filing of Appearance"
6. Upload the signed Appearance in PDF format
7. Pay the applicable appearance fee through the eFileIL payment system
8. Verify the service list includes all counsel of record and unrepresented parties
9. Complete the e-service transaction
10. Submit the filing
11. Retain the eFileIL confirmation receipt
12. Verify the filing appears on the court docket

Cook County Specific Procedures

• Pay the appearance fee through eFileIL; confirm the current fee amount with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County
• If entering appearances for multiple parties, determine whether to file single or separate appearances (affects fee calculation)
• Identify the correct district for Chicago-area filings (First through Sixth Municipal Districts)
• Some Cook County divisions may require courtesy copies; confirm with the assigned judge's chambers

Downstate County Procedures

• Confirm any local court rules that supplement the Supreme Court Rules
• Filing fees vary by county; confirm with the applicable circuit clerk
• Some counties may have additional local requirements for appearance filings

SECTION 14: PRACTITIONER NOTES -- ILLINOIS-SPECIFIC

A. Illinois Court System

Illinois has a unified court system:

• Circuit Courts: Courts of general jurisdiction. Illinois has 24 judicial circuits covering all 102 counties.
• Appellate Courts: Five appellate districts.
• Supreme Court of Illinois: Highest appellate court.

Major Jurisdictions:

B. ARDC Number Requirement

• Every Illinois attorney has an Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) number
• The ARDC number must appear on all filings
• Verify ARDC registration status and number at registration.iardc.org
• If transferring between firms, docket the attorney number change under Supreme Court Rule 756(k)

C. Appearance Rules (Rule 13) -- January 2026 Amendments

Illinois Supreme Court Rules 13, 22, and related rules were amended effective January 1, 2026. Key provisions:

1. Binding Nature: An attorney's written appearance binds the attorney to continue representing the client until the court grants leave for withdrawal after notice and motion
2. Time to Plead: The filing of an appearance triggers deadlines for responsive pleadings
3. Withdrawal: Must comply with Rule 13(c)(2) -- file a motion showing just cause and serve notice on the client
4. Limited Scope Appearances: Governed by Rule 13(c)(6) and (c)(7)

D. Limited Scope Representation

Illinois has a well-developed framework for limited scope appearances:

1. Rule 13(c)(6): Permits attorneys to file a Notice of Limited Scope Appearance for specific civil court proceedings
2. Statewide Form: An approved statewide form promotes consistency across courts
3. Multiple Appearances: An attorney may file a Notice of Limited Scope Appearance more than once in a case
4. Party Responsibility: The party remains responsible for all matters not specified in the Notice
5. Withdrawal Methods (Rule 13(c)(7)):
   - Method 1: In-court presentment of the approved Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Appearance
   - Method 2: Filing and serving a Notice of Completion

E. Special Appearance (735 ILCS 5/2-301)

• A special appearance may be filed solely to contest personal jurisdiction
• The special appearance does not constitute a general appearance or submission to jurisdiction
• Must be filed before any other pleading or motion (except a motion for extension of time)
• If the court denies the special appearance motion, the defendant must then file a general appearance

F. Pro Hac Vice Under Rule 707

Key features of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 707:
- Out-of-state attorneys receive immediate authorization to appear upon filing the verified Statement
- One-time nonrefundable fee: $250 per proceeding
- Annual ARDC registration fee: $121
- Must associate with Illinois local counsel
- Not available to Illinois residents or attorneys regularly practicing in Illinois

G. Cook County vs. Downstate Practice

H. Service Requirements

Under Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12:
- Service of the Appearance must be made on all parties who have appeared
- Electronic service through eFileIL is the primary method for registered parties
- Proof of service must comply with Rule 12

This template is designed for use in Illinois Circuit Courts. For the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois (federal courts), different rules and procedures apply.