Don't Let Your Illinois Exhibits Get Rejected
Get the complete Illinois exhibit requirements checklist. Know exactly what Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 (Pretrial Procedure) requires before your filing deadline.
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218(c) requires discovery to be completed not later than 60 days before anticipated trial unless the parties agree otherwise, and it sets no exhibit-exchange date.
- In Illinois, the circuit court is the court of original jurisdiction.
- Illinois's e-filing file-size limit: not confirmed — check the filing portal.
- Cook County: confirm attorney identification requirements, including any ID beyond your ARDC number, before eFiling.
- Lake County: confirm with the court whether large exhibit sets must be tabbed and bound.
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 governs civil pretrial procedure and case management conferences.
- Confirm each file is within the e-filing file-size limit before uploading.
Free Illinois Exhibit Guide
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Use the guide as a preparation checklist
- Check the instructions for your assigned court.
- Confirm labels, deadlines, and delivery method.
- Review the finished files before submitting.
Quick Reference
Source citations apply to the statement beside them, not the whole page. Check current court instructions and your case orders before filing.
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Try It FreeExhibitPrep 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.
Two Ways to Prepare Illinois Exhibits
Manual Stamping
- •Place each label individually
- •Keep a separate exhibit list
- •Check numbering across files
- •Review instructions and finished files
With ExhibitPrep
- •Apply chosen labels across a batch
- •Create a contents page and bookmarks
- •Review stamps before saving
- •Revise and compare saved copies
About Illinois Exhibit Requirements
Illinois courts operate under Supreme Court Rule 218 for civil pretrial procedure. Cook County has local rules and detailed procedures that are worth confirming before you file. Sticker placement is set by local rules and the assigned judge, so confirm it before trial.
Before you file
ExhibitPrep formats documents. It does not provide legal advice, submit filings, or determine whether evidence is admissible or a filing meets court requirements.
Some guidance has not been verified against current official sources. A citation supports only its stated claim and scope. Compare the finished PDF with current court instructions and orders in your case. Follow the filing review checklist.
What's in the Guide
- eFileIL e-filing is mandatory in civil cases unless an exception or exemption applies
- t assume downstate rules apply
- Complex litigation in Cook County: follow the assigned judge's case management orders
- File-size caps change — check the portal, and split large exhibits before uploading
- Judge standing orders — check before trial, rules vary by courtroom
- Pre-marking requirements — varies by case management order
- Numbers/letters system — confirm the marking convention in the assigned judge's standing order
- Case management deadlines — check the case management order, since missed deadlines can affect your exhibits
County-Specific Rules Covered
Cook County
- • Confirm attorney identification requirements, including any ID beyond your ARDC number, before eFiling
- • Typewritten memorandum mailed not less than 30 days before pretrial Source (opens in a new tab)
Lake County
- • Confirm local binder and tab requirements for large exhibit sets
- • Exhibit list formatted to the court's local requirements
Pro Tips Included
- •Confirm any Cook County attorney identification requirement before your first Cook County case
- •Confirm sticker placement with the assigned courtroom before trial
- •For large exhibit sets, consider tabbed binders and confirm the court's requirements
- •Plan discovery to finish not later than 60 days before the anticipated trial date
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1.Not confirming Cook County attorney identification requirements before e-filing
- 2.Placing stickers where the assigned judge or local rule says not to
- 3.Exceeding the court's file size limit
- 4.Not planning discovery to finish not later than 60 days before the anticipated trial date
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Illinois Exhibit FAQs
What exhibit marking system do Illinois courts require?
Confirm the exhibit marking convention with the assigned judge's order or the local rules. Cook County and downstate courts may have different specific requirements.
Is e-filing mandatory in Illinois courts?
Yes, Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9 requires civil documents to be electronically filed through a Supreme Court-approved system, subject to exceptions such as original wills and to exemptions. No statewide per-document file-size limit is confirmed — check the portal for the current cap before filing.
How do Cook County rules differ from other Illinois courts?
Cook County (Chicago) has local rules and division-specific orders; check the assigned division's requirements. Procedures can differ between Cook County and downstate courts, so always verify which rules apply to your case.
What is the exhibit exchange deadline in Illinois?
Exhibit exchange deadlines are set by local rule, the case management order or the assigned judge, so confirm the deadline in your case. Check your case management order and individual judge standing orders for specific deadlines.
See It in Action
A video walkthrough of ExhibitPrep stamping exhibits for Illinois courts.
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Ready to Stamp Your Illinois Exhibits?
ExhibitPrep creates professional stamps for common Illinois exhibit-marking conventions. Review the exact output against current local and case-specific requirements. Preview free—purchase when you're ready to save.
Nearby Jurisdictions
Practicing in multiple states? Check requirements for neighboring jurisdictions.