eFileIL Exhibit Filing Guide
E-filing is mandatory in Illinois civil cases, and eFileIL is the statewide system under Supreme Court order M.R. 18368. The eFileIL standards ask for OCR (searchable) PDFs when possible, within the portal's file-size caps, so confirm limits before filing. Cook County has additional local requirements including Attorney ID Numbers.
- eFileIL is the electronic filing system for Illinois courts.
- The eFileIL file size limit is Check the portal for current caps.
- The primary accepted file format on eFileIL is PDF only (text-searchable/OCR required).
- The official eFileIL portal is at https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/.
- ExhibitPrep applies exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the user’s computer.
- ExhibitPrep includes 29 court-ready stamp templates covering plaintiff, defendant, deposition, and joint exhibit designations.
- ExhibitPrep’s Trial Binder Mode builds exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1–A5), and an auto-generated table of contents.
eFileIL Requirements
Text-Searchable PDFs
All documents must be text-searchable with OCR. The eFileIL standards issued under M.R. 18368 call for OCR (searchable) PDFs when possible.
SCR 218 Compliance
Supreme Court Rule 218 governs pretrial procedures. Under Rule 218, discovery must be completed not later than 60 days before the anticipated trial date, unless the parties agree otherwise. Case management conferences address exhibit admissions.
File Size Limits
Per-document and per-envelope caps apply — check the portal for current limits. 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)
- • Per-document and per-envelope caps apply — confirm current limits
- • Top right 2x2 inch corner left blank
Common eFileIL Filing Issues
Document size limit exceeded
Split large exhibits into multiple files or compress images. Check the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's local rules and the assigned judge's order for how physical exhibit copies must be bound or tabbed.
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 prepares embedded exhibit labels for your review. Inspect the export against the current eFileIL requirements before you upload.
SCR 218 Review
Prepare embedded exhibit labels, then compare the exported PDF with the current Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 requirements.
Clerk Stamp Space
Templates position stamps to preserve the required top right 2x2 inch blank space.
Text-Searchable Output
ExhibitPrep preserves existing searchable text while embedding stamps. Review the exact PDF against current eFileIL and court requirements before submission.
Batch Processing
Stamp multiple exhibits while monitoring the portal's 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 against the portal's current caps.
Upload to eFileIL
Log in to efile.illinoiscourts.gov and upload exhibits. Monitor the envelope size limit.
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 enforces per-document and per-envelope caps that change over time — check the current limits at efile.illinoiscourts.gov before filing. For exhibits exceeding the caps, 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 dates are set so discovery is completed not later than 60 days before the date the trial court reasonably anticipates trial will commence, unless the parties agree otherwise. Cook County Circuit Court Rule 4.1 requires each attorney to mail a pretrial memorandum to all attorneys of record not less than 30 days before the pretrial conference.
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. Check with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County whether a separate attorney identification number is required to file. 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. Check the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's local rules and the assigned judge's order for any binder or tabbing requirements for physical exhibits.
ExhibitPrep formats documents; it does not provide legal advice or filing approval. Some guidance remains unverified. Citations support only their stated claims and scope. Review the finished files against current court instructions and case orders before filing. Check requirements and the finished PDF before filing.
Official eFileIL Portal
Access the official eFileIL system to file your stamped exhibits.
Visit eFileIL →