Find Chicago Civil Court Records Online
Chicago civil court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court of Cook County, which serves all of Chicago and the surrounding county. Cook County is the 1st Judicial District in Illinois. Mariyana T. Spyropoulos serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court and keeps all civil court records for the city. You can search many of these records for free online, and this page walks you through how to do it.
Chicago Quick Facts
Which County Handles Chicago Civil Court Filings
All civil court filings for Chicago go through Cook County. The Circuit Court of Cook County is the trial court for the entire county, and Chicago is the county seat. Civil cases filed in Chicago are assigned to the appropriate division at the Richard J. Daley Center, located at 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. This is the main courthouse for civil matters in the city.
The Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, maintains all civil court records for Chicago. Her office is in Suite 1001 at the Daley Center. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding court holidays. The main phone number is (312) 603-5030. For detailed information on the Cook County court system and all resources available, visit the Cook County Civil Court Records page.
The Daley Center handles law, chancery, domestic relations, probate, and county division cases. Some suburban courthouses in Cook County also accept civil filings depending on where the case arises. Most Chicago cases go to the Daley Center. You can visit in person during business hours or use the online tools described below to find civil court records without going to the courthouse.
| Court | Circuit Court of Cook County, 1st Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Mariyana T. Spyropoulos |
| Address | Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Mailing Address | 50 W. Washington, Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60602-1305 |
| Phone | (312) 603-5030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cookcountyclerkofcourt.org |
Searching Chicago Civil Court Records Online
Cook County offers a free online case search for Chicago civil court records at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/online-case-information. You can search by name, case number, or court call. No account is needed for most case types. The portal covers civil, law, chancery, domestic relations, probate, and other case types. It is the fastest way to check the status of a Chicago civil court case without calling or visiting the clerk.
The clerk describes the service as providing "on-line case information as a public service" to help users "determine the general status of historical and active court cases." The data you see is the electronic docket, which shows brief summaries of filings and events. It is not the full court file. The clerk notes that "it may sometimes take a few days before updated information is available" through the online search, so if you need the most current status, call (312) 603-5030 or visit the Daley Center in person.
The screenshot above shows the Cook County Clerk's official website, which is the starting point for finding Chicago civil court records online. The statewide re:SearchIL database at researchil.tylerhost.net is another tool, though Cook County has its own separate portal. Criminal case files in Chicago are not available online and must be viewed in person at the clerk's office.
What Chicago Civil Court Records Contain
Civil court records in Chicago hold a range of information about each case. Every file has the case number, the names of all parties, the case type, and the date the case was opened. The docket lists every court event: filings, hearings, orders, and judgments. You can use the docket to track the full timeline of a case from start to finish.
Beyond the docket, the paper file at the Daley Center contains the actual documents. You will find the original complaint or petition, responses from the other side, motions, and court orders signed by the judge. Judgments are part of the file too. Exhibits introduced at hearings may also be stored there. For cases that went to trial, transcripts can be ordered through the court reporter's office.
Some records are not public. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and adoption records are not open for inspection. Items like Social Security numbers and bank account details are redacted from copies given to the public. Expunged records are also off limits. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), standard civil court records in Illinois are public and open for inspection during office hours.
Filing a Civil Case in Chicago
All civil filings in Chicago must go through eFileIL, the mandatory electronic filing system for Illinois courts. The portal is at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. You create an account and then file through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider, known as an EFSP. The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need to be at the courthouse or within court hours to submit documents.
Some filers are exempt from the eFiling requirement. People who are incarcerated cannot be required to efile. Will filings are exempt. People whose disabilities prevent them from using the electronic system may also qualify for an exemption. Juvenile cases and certain filings made for good cause may be exempt as well. Court forms for civil cases in Chicago are available through the Cook County forms portal at services.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/Forms and through the statewide forms page at illinoiscourts.gov.
For attorneys and legal professionals who need deeper access, the Justice Partners Portal is at cccportal.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. Self-represented parties can still file and access their own case through eFileIL using a standard account.
Fees for Chicago Civil Court Records
Chicago falls under Cook County's fee schedule, which is the highest tier in Illinois. Because Cook County has over three million residents, it can charge up to $10 per page for copies of civil court records under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The base rate is $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page for pages 2 through 20, and $0.25 per page after that. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. These fees apply to paper copies requested in person or by mail.
Online access to civil court records through the public case search portal is free. In May 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Supreme Court Rule 313, effective May 1, 2025. This means you can use the Cook County online portal and the re:SearchIL system at no cost. Fees may change, so call (312) 603-5030 or check the clerk's website before visiting to confirm current copy costs.
Legal Help in Chicago
The Cook County Clerk's office can help you find civil court records, but it cannot give legal advice. Several free and low-cost resources serve Chicago residents who need guidance on civil cases.
Illinois Court Help offers free phone support at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. Staff speak over 200 languages and can help you understand court forms and how civil cases work in Chicago. This service is run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) at illinoislegalaid.org has a step-by-step guide on how to get copies of court records. Find it at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. ILAO also has self-help tools, legal articles, and a referral system to connect you with a lawyer in Chicago. For self-help resources from the Illinois courts, go to illinoiscourts.gov/self-help. The Cook County Clerk's office also offers live chat on its website during regular business hours, which can be faster than calling when you have a quick question.
Nearby Cities
Chicago borders several other qualifying Illinois cities. Each city has its own page with court information for that area.