Don't Let Your Illinois Exhibits Get Rejected
Get the complete Illinois exhibit requirements checklist. Know exactly what Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 requires before your filing deadline.
Free Illinois Exhibit Guide
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Every year, Illinois courts reject exhibits for:
- Wrong marking convention
- Missing electronic bookmarks
- Non-compliant file formats
This guide prevents those mistakes.
Quick Reference
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ExhibitPrep automatically applies Illinois-compliant stamps per Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218. Preview free—pay only when you download.
Note: This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Court rules change, and local variations exist. Always verify current requirements with the specific court where you are filing.
Two Ways to Prepare Illinois Exhibits
Manual Stamping
- •2+ hours for 50 documents
- •Error-prone labeling
- •No batch processing
- •Hope you followed Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218
With ExhibitPrep
- •15 minutes for 50 documents
- •Illinois-compliant templates
- •One-click batch stamping
- •Follows Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 automatically
About Illinois Exhibit Requirements
Illinois courts operate under Supreme Court Rule 218 for pretrial procedures, with eFileIL mandatory statewide. Cook County presents unique challenges requiring a separate Attorney ID Number and detailed procedures. The sticker placement rule - lower right corner of the front side - is strictly enforced.
What's in the Guide
- Mandatory eFileIL statewide — different from federal ECF system
- t assume downstate rules apply
- Chicago complex litigation — requires case management compliance
- 25 MB file size limit — 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 — plaintiffs use 1,2,3; defendants use A,B,C
- Case management deadlines — missing them can result in exclusion
County-Specific Rules Covered
Cook County
- • Attorneys must have Cook County Attorney ID Number in addition to ARDC number for eFiling
- • Typewritten memorandum mailed not less than 30 days before pretrial
Lake County
- • Exhibits with 50+ documents must be in tabbed, three-ring binders
- • Exhibit list with columns for "Offered," "Admitted," and "Refused"
Pro Tips Included
- •Get a Cook County Attorney ID Number before your first Cook County case
- •Place stickers in the lower right corner - this is strictly enforced
- •For 50+ documents, invest in professional tabbed binders
- •Keep discovery well ahead of the 60-day pre-trial cutoff
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1.Not having a Cook County Attorney ID Number (required in addition to ARDC)
- 2.Placing stickers in wrong location (must be lower right corner)
- 3.Exceeding the 25 MB per document limit
- 4.Missing the 60-day discovery cutoff before trial
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Illinois Exhibit FAQs
What exhibit marking system do Illinois courts require?
Illinois courts generally use numbers (1, 2, 3...) for plaintiff exhibits and letters (A, B, C...) for defendant exhibits under Supreme Court Rule 214. Cook County and downstate courts may have different specific requirements.
Is e-filing mandatory in Illinois courts?
Yes, Illinois requires mandatory e-filing through Odyssey eFileIL (efile.illinoiscourts.gov) for all civil cases. The file size limit is 25 MB per document.
How do Cook County rules differ from other Illinois courts?
Cook County (Chicago) has the largest court system in Illinois with specific complex litigation division rules and mandatory case management procedures. Downstate courts often have simpler procedures, so always verify which rules apply to your case.
What is the exhibit exchange deadline in Illinois?
Exhibit exchange deadlines vary by local rule, typically ranging from 14-30 days before trial. Check your case management order and individual judge standing orders for specific deadlines.
See It in Action
Watch how ExhibitPrep stamps exhibits for Illinois courts in under 30 seconds.
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Nearby Jurisdictions
Practicing in multiple states? Check requirements for neighboring jurisdictions.