Judge Carl Lauras Evans
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 14 Days Before Hearing
EMERGENCY Motions
- 1 copy • Day Before Presentment by 4pm
Exhibits
Proof of Publication
- 1 copy • Day Before Hearing
Adjournments
- Trial continuances require a written request heard at least 5 business days before trial, absent emergency; trial dates are firm absent compelling circumstances.
Communication
Other Contacts9 contacts
Chambers3 contacts
Clerk2 contacts
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Briefs in support and in response to a motion shall not exceed ten (10) pages unless permission is granted from the court to exceed this limit.
- Brief
- Up to 10 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All these items must be provided to the court seven (7) days prior to the pretrial conference in hard copy format (not electronic).
- File type
- Paper
- Pretrial conference items
Formatting
- •Hard copy format; not electronic
All briefs should be double-spaced with 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
- Font size
- 12 points
- Line spacing
- Double
- Margins
- 1 inch
- Brief
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Motions for alternative service must include an affidavit detailing the investigation and efforts to locate the defendant.
Court's wording
All 203.1 Motions for Alternative Service “shall be accompanied with an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation made to determine the whereabouts of the defendant and the reasons why service is impractical… including a specific statement showing that a diligent inquiry as to the location of the individual defendant was made and reasonable efforts to make service have been unsuccessful.” (See 735 ILCS 5/2-203.1).
Motions to transfer venue to another district or county should include as exhibits all service attempts by the sheriff and/or private process server. The motion should also include as an exhibit all evidence that demonstrates the defendant currently resides in the district you are seeking to have the case transferred such as a TLO, USPS address report, vehicle registration or other investigative report. A proposed order should be provided and shall be in substantially the following form: Transfer orders shall be in writing, signed by the judge transferring the case and by the Presiding Judge of the division or district, and shall be in substantially the following form: "The above entitled and numbered cause having been previously assigned to Judge ____________________ is hereby transferred to Judge _____________________, Presiding Judge of the _____________________ Division or District for the purpose of transferring the cause to the _____________________ Division or District.
- Document
- Motion to transfer venue
Must include
- •Proposed order
Emergency motions must set forth a verifiable EMERGENCY.
- Document
- Emergency motion
Must include
- •Verifiable EMERGENCY
735 ILCS 9-109.6 Residential Eviction Order; form. A standardized residential eviction order form, as determined by the Supreme Court, shall be used statewide.
signed by both plaintiff and defendant and the order specifically states that leave to reinstate is granted and the court retains jurisdiction.
Children aged 7 or older must be present at the hearing.
Attorneys should use the standard form “all discovery closed arbitration order” when cases are referred to mandatory arbitration.
- Document
- Arbitration order
Must include
- •All discovery closed arbitration order
The question related to consent of the non-custodial parent must be addressed.
Emergency motions must include proof of service with the supporting papers.
- Document
- Emergency motion
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
The Motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and a courtesy copy of the motion marked “EMERGENCY MOTION” and all supporting papers, including proof of service, must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the day before presentment.
For minor name changes a separate child information sheet must be completed for each child.
All questions on the form petition should be answered.
The petition must be signed and certified for a non-prosecutor.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Plaintiffs must use the specific filing code and motion type in Odyssey for expedited case management motions.
Plaintiffs shall select the filing code; MOTION FOR EXPEDITED CASE MANAGEMENT and motion type; CONSUMER DEBT-EXPEDITED CASE MANAGEMENT HEARING in Odyssey.
Page 2 | B. Consumer Debt Motions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Expedited case management motions not filed per instructions will be struck from the call.
Expedited case management motions that are not filed according to the instructions above shall be struck from the call with the original case management date to stand.
Page 2 | B. Consumer Debt Motions
Motions to expedite the initial case management date cannot be filed until at least 31 days after service of process.
All motions to expedite the initial case management date shall be filed no earlier than 31 days after service of process is effectuated.
Page 2 | B. Consumer Debt Motions
All post-judgment matters in non-bulk filer consumer debt cases must be scheduled only for Monday or Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Non-Bulk filer Consumer Debt Post judgment cases: all post judgment matters on non-bulk filer consumer debt cases should only be scheduled for Monday or Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Motions on law and municipal cases over $10,000 should be noticed for Tuesday only at 9:30 am.
Motions on law and municipal cases over $10,000 should be noticed for Tuesday only at 9:30 am.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Bulk filer post-judgment matters must be scheduled only for Fridays at 1:30 p.m.
Bulk filer Post judgment matters: Bulk filer Post judgment matters shall only be scheduled for Fridays at 1:30 p.m.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Arbitration Matters: Motions on pending arbitration matters should be noticed for Tuesday only at 9:30 am.
Arbitration Matters: Motions on pending arbitration matters should be noticed for Tuesday only at 9:30 am.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Contract and replevin cases: Motions should be noticed for Tuesday only at 10:30 am.
Contract and replevin cases: Motions should be noticed for Tuesday only at 10:30 am.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Motions in post-judgment municipal cases under $10,000 must be scheduled only for Monday or Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Post judgment cases: Motions on post judgment municipal cases less than $10,000 should only be scheduled for Monday or Wednesday at 1:30 pm.
Page 5 | H. Motions
Emergency motions and supporting papers must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. the day before presentment.
The Motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and a courtesy copy of the motion marked “EMERGENCY MOTION” and all supporting papers, including proof of service, must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the day before presentment.
Page 6 | J. Emergency Motions
Motions to vacate a voluntary dismissal must be filed within 30 days of dismissal; otherwise plaintiff must file a new action unless the parties enter an agreed dismissal order.
Motions to vacate a voluntary dismissal must be filed within 30 days of the date of dismissal or a new action must be filed by plaintiff, unless an agreed order of dismissal is entered.
Page 6 | O. Voluntary dismissals
Name-change petitions are heard only on Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Petitions for name change are heard on Tuesdays only at 11 am.
Page 6 | N. Petitions for Name Change
All these items must be provided to the court seven (7) days prior to the pretrial conference in hard copy format (not electronic).
All these items must be provided to the court seven (7) days prior to the pretrial conference in hard copy format (not electronic).
Page 5 | G. Trials & Pretrial conferences
Parties must exchange pretrial submissions 14 days before the pretrial conference.
The parties must exchange witness lists, exhibit lists, jury instructions, statement of the case and all preliminary motions fourteen (14) days before the pretrial conference.
Page 5 | G. Trials & Pretrial conferences
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Defendants must be served notice of the expedited court date via US Mail, including Zoom and Early Resolution Program information.
Defendants shall be given notice of the expedited court date with zoom information and Early Resolution Program information via US Mail.
Page 2 | B. Consumer Debt Motions
Proof of service and all notices must be filed via Odyssey before the court date.
Proof of service via affidavit of process server and all notices shall be filed with the Clerk of Court via Odyssey prior to the court date.
Page 2 | B. Consumer Debt Motions
Constructive service requires compliance with due diligence and due inquiry requirements under 735 ILCS 5/9-107.
735 ILCS 5/9-107. Constructive Service Please review applicable statute and case law for due diligence & due inquiry requirements
Page 7 | P. Applicable rules & statutes
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Paper courtesy copies for fully briefed contested motions must be provided fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Paper courtesy copies for fully briefed contested motions must be provided fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Page 5 | F. Courtesy Copies
An emergency motion must be filed with the Clerk and a courtesy copy marked 'EMERGENCY MOTION' with all supporting papers and proof of service submitted by 4 p.m. the day before presentment.
The Motion must be filed with the Clerk of the Court and a courtesy copy of the motion marked “EMERGENCY MOTION” and all supporting papers, including proof of service, must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the day before presentment.
Page 6 | J. Emergency Motions
Exhibits must be delivered to the court via the specified court email address.
exhibits must be delivered to the court using the following email: d4crt112orders@cookcountycourt.com.
Page 5 | F. Courtesy Copies
Proof of publication, if appropriate, should be filed with a courtesy copy to the court the day before the matter is heard.
Proof of publication, if appropriate, should be filed with a courtesy copy to the court the day before the matter is heard.
Page 6 | N. Petitions for Name Change
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuances require a written request heard at least 5 business days before trial, absent emergency; trial dates are firm absent compelling circumstances.
Trial dates are firm and will not be typically re- scheduled absent compelling circumstances. A request for a continuance for trial must be in writing and heard at least 5 business days preceding trial unless emergency circumstances are the basis for the requested continuance.
Page 5 | G. Trials & Pretrial conferences
Chambers Communication Rules
Matters determined to require emergency scheduling can be heard at any time. Movants should contact the room 112 clerk to schedule any Emergency Motion.
Matters determined to require emergency scheduling can be heard at any time. Movants should contact the room 112 clerk to schedule any Emergency Motion.
Page 6 | J. Emergency Motions
The court email address may only be used for submitting documents, not for requesting relief or copying the court on counsel discussions.
Parties should not use this email address to request relief from the court or to copy the court on discussions between counsel. This email address is solely for the submission of documents.
Page 5 | F. Courtesy Copies
Fourth District Clerk's office phone number is 708.865.5186.
Fourth District Clerk’s office 708.865.5186
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Chambers email for Courtroom 112 is d4crt112orders@cookcountycourt.com.
Courtroom 112 email: d4crt112orders@cookcountycourt.com
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Please include the case number and upcoming court date and time in the Subject line of the email.
Please include the case number and upcoming court date and time in the Subject line of the email.
Page 6 | M. Settlements
As a courtesy to the court and other litigants, please email Judge Evans’ court clerk at d.generalists@cookcountycourt.com if any scheduled matter (i.e. fully briefed motion; trial, etc.) has been resolved and no longer requires the hearing/trial date.
As a courtesy to the court and other litigants, please email Judge Evans’ court clerk at d.generalists@cookcountycourt.com if any scheduled matter (i.e. fully briefed motion; trial, etc.) has been resolved and no longer requires the hearing/trial date.
Page 6 | M. Settlements