eFileIL Exhibit Filing Guide
eFileIL is the mandatory statewide electronic filing system for Illinois courts. All exhibits must be text-searchable PDFs with 25 MB per document and 50 MB per envelope limits. Cook County has additional local requirements including Attorney ID Numbers.
eFileIL Requirements
Text-Searchable PDFs
All documents must be text-searchable with OCR. Illinois requires searchable PDFs for all e-filed exhibits per M.R. 18368.
SCR 218 Compliance
Supreme Court Rule 218 governs pretrial procedures. Discovery must be completed not later than 60 days before trial. Case management conferences address exhibit admissions.
File Size Limits
25 MB per individual document, 50 MB per envelope (multiple documents in one submission). Cook County often has stricter deadlines.
Clerk Stamp Space
Leave top right 2x2 inch corner blank for clerk date stamp. Documents without this space may be rejected.
Accepted File Formats
- • PDF only (text-searchable/OCR required)
- • 25 MB per document limit
- • 50 MB per envelope limit
- • Top right 2x2 inch corner left blank
Common eFileIL Filing Issues
25 MB Document Exceeded
Split large exhibits into multiple files or compress images. For 50+ page exhibits, Lake County requires tabbed three-ring binders for physical copies.
Clerk Stamp Space Missing
Ensure top right corner (2x2 inches) is completely blank on first page. This space is required for the clerk date stamp.
Cook County Attorney ID Error
Cook County requires both ARDC number AND Cook County Attorney ID Number. Register for Cook County ID at the Cook County Circuit Court website.
Image-Only PDF Rejected
Run OCR on all scanned documents. Illinois requires text-searchable PDFs. ExhibitPrep exports text-searchable PDFs automatically.
🆕 New: Trial Binder Mode for Multi-Exhibit Filings
Filing multiple exhibits with eFileIL? Use Trial Binder Mode to create court-ready exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1-A5), and auto-generated table of contents. Great for complex filings with numerous exhibits.
Learn about Trial Binder ModeWhy Use ExhibitPrep for eFileIL?
ExhibitPrep ensures your exhibits meet all eFileIL requirements before you upload.
SCR 218 Compliant
ExhibitPrep stamps meet Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 exhibit marking requirements.
Clerk Stamp Space
Templates position stamps to preserve the required top right 2x2 inch blank space.
Text-Searchable Output
All stamped PDFs are OCR-compliant and ready for eFileIL submission.
Batch Processing
Stamp multiple exhibits while monitoring 25 MB per document limit.
How to Prepare Exhibits for eFileIL
Upload text-searchable exhibits
Ensure all documents have OCR before uploading to ExhibitPrep.
Select Illinois template
Choose plaintiff (numbers) or defendant (letters) marking convention.
Position stamps avoiding clerk space
Add stamps and preview. Ensure top right 2x2 inch corner remains blank.
Download stamped exhibits
Export text-searchable PDFs. Check file sizes for 25 MB compliance.
Upload to eFileIL
Log in to efile.illinoiscourts.gov and upload exhibits. Monitor 50 MB envelope limit.
Ready to File with eFileIL?
Stamp your exhibits now and upload to eFileIL in minutes.
eFileIL Guides by Practice Area
Practice-specific filing requirements and exhibit tips for eFileIL.
Frequently Asked Questions about eFileIL
What is the eFileIL file size limit?
eFileIL limits individual documents to 25 MB and envelopes (multiple documents in one submission) to 50 MB. For exhibits exceeding these limits, split into multiple files or compress images. Cook County and Lake County have additional local procedures for large exhibits.
Why must I leave the top right corner blank?
Illinois requires a 2x2 inch blank space in the top right corner of the first page for the clerk date stamp. This is a statewide requirement under Illinois e-filing rules. Documents without this space may be rejected by the clerk.
What is Supreme Court Rule 218?
SCR 218 governs pretrial procedure in Illinois civil cases. It requires case management conferences to address admissions of fact and documents. Discovery must be completed not later than 60 days before trial. Cook County requires 30 days before pretrial conference per local Rule 4.1.
Do I need a Cook County Attorney ID Number?
Yes, if filing in Cook County. In addition to your ARDC number, Cook County requires a separate Cook County Attorney ID Number. You must register with the Cook County Circuit Court to obtain this ID. Other Illinois counties only require your ARDC number.
How do I mark exhibits in Illinois courts?
Illinois typically uses numbers (1, 2, 3) for plaintiffs and letters (A, B, C) for defendants. Exhibit stickers are placed in the lower right corner of the front side of the first page. Lake County requires tabbed three-ring binders for exhibits with 50+ documents.
Official eFileIL Portal
Access the official eFileIL system to file your stamped exhibits.
Visit eFileIL →