Volunteer Resources

PRO SE GOOD CAUSE EXEMPTION FROM E-FILING

COVID-19 UPDATE (as of September 16, 2020): Most court services in Cook County, including Courtroom access and the e-filing assistance mentioned here are operating at reduced capacity or have gone completely remote as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. You can find additional information on the availability of services by visiting the Clerk of Court’s homepage or by calling the statewide Court Information Helpline at (872) 529-1093 (available M-F, 9am-4pm).

All self-represented (pro se) litigants at the Daley Center who need e-filing assistance should be directed to LL-12 (Lower Level). The Clerk’s office has established a large e-filing self-help center with many computers and scanners available at no cost. Please be aware that the computers in LL-12 may not be hooked up to printers and may not have Adobe or Microsoft Office installed. Without that hardware/software, it may be challenging for self-represented litigants to create new documents or fill out online forms. To avoid delays, we encourage self-represented litigants to fill out forms ahead of time and to bring paper copies with them to LL-12 where they can be scanned at no cost. Printers are available for use in the Law Library on the 29th floor for a fee. If you encounter self-represented litigants who may struggle to use and access the technology necessary to e-file, consider sharing information about the E-Filing Exemption Certificate.

The Illinois Supreme Court has approved new language clarifying the scope of Rule 9(c)(4) which permits a good cause exemption from e-filing. A self-represented litigant may be exempted from e-filing if he or she falls into one of the following categories:

• No computer or Internet access in the home and travel presents a hardship (financial or otherwise)
• Disability (as defined by the ADA) that prevents e-filing
• Low literacy
• Limited English proficiency
• Sensitive filing (e.g. Order of Protection)

A self-represented litigant can claim the exemption by attaching a certificate (signed under penalty of perjury) with the filing. The Access to Justice Commission’s Forms Committee has drafted a Circuit Court Certificate and an Appellate Court Certificate for use by self-represented litigants.

Judges will retain discretion to grant an e-filing waiver on their own (sua sponte) should they determine good cause exists, even without the filing of a certificate. Judges will also retain discretion to order a litigant to begin e-filing at any point should they determine that good cause was not adequately shown.