Judge Sarah Johnson Rules - Circuit Court of Cook County

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 118 rules apply across Circuit Court of Cook County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Communication

All 59

Contact
Email
Questions, comments, or concerns about the eFileIL e-filing system should be directed to Tyler Technologies at efiling.support@tylertech.com.
Contact
Email to chambers
Courtesy copies for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to daniel.degnan@cookcountyil.gov.
Contact
Email
Stamped order inquiries for Judge Daniel R. Degnan must be submitted via email to tlhudson@cookcountycourt.com.

Filing Timing

All 12

Deadline
60 calendar days
Attorney fee petitions for court-appointed attorneys must be filed within 60 days after final order or 6 months after service/cost, whichever is earlier.
Deadline
2 business days
Decedent's estate agreed order requests must be filed and submitted 2-5 business days prior to the scheduled court date.
Deadline
2 business days
Pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy, after the judge signs an order, the Clerk of the Circuit Court will upload it to the Odyssey system, where it should appear within two (2) business days.

Filing Requirements

All 11

Applies to
Complaint
Must include
caption
Chancery Division complaints must include specific caption designations based on the relief sought.
Applies to
Motion
Must include
caption
Motions to correct errors in criminal cases must be in writing, accompanied by affidavit, and notice must be served on the prosecution.
Applies to
Complaint
Must include
caption
All initiating papers must include the court name and department/division/district in the caption; small claims complaints must be endorsed 'Small Claims'.

E-Filing

All 9

Applies to
Civil case filing
E-filing is mandatory for all Cook County civil cases through the eFileIL system as of July 1, 2018, except Quasi-Criminal, Housing, and Wills cases.
Applies to
Verified status report
In order to ask the Court to consider entering such agreed orders via e-mail, regular mail or courier, attorneys must first e-file a brief “verified status report” that explains the status of the case and the basis for the request.
You will not receive orders if your e-mail address is not accurate in the e-filing system and/or you have not filed as the attorney of record.

More categories

View all Circuit Court of Cook County rules

About Judge Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Practitioners will find a standing order for the law calendar, effective August 13, 2025.

Common questions about Judge Sarah Johnson's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sarah Johnson?

Courtesy copies should be provided in hard copy format in the courtesy copy bin outside of Courtroom 2203.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. General Procedures

What must be included with petition for settlement approval filings before Judge Sarah Johnson?

Settlement approval petitions must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language where required.

View ruleSource: page 5, section IV. Petitions for Approval of Settlements

What must be included with pre trial memorandum filings before Judge Sarah Johnson?

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email containing: (1) a summary of the allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages; and (2) the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

View ruleSource: page 5, section VI. Pre-Trial Conferences

How may parties contact Judge Sarah Johnson's chambers?

The rule lists email Law.calCcc@cookcountyil.gov. Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar C email and include all parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. General Procedures

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sarah Johnson?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Settlement approval petitions must be emailed to chambers unfiled and must not be filed until the Court approves them.

View ruleSource: page 5, section IV. Petitions for Approval of Settlements

What filing deadlines does Judge Sarah Johnson set?

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email

View ruleSource: page 5, section VI. Pre-Trial Conferences

Complete rules summary for Judge Sarah Johnson

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email

If the dismissal is pursuant to settlement, please identify in the Order whether minors or Wrongful Death claims are involved.

Agreed dismissal orders may be emailed to the Court or placed in the courtesy copy bin.

Official communication with the Court must be via the Calendar C email and include all parties.

Courtesy copies should be provided in hard copy format in the courtesy copy bin outside of Courtroom 2203.

Do not create a new email thread if one already exists for the case.

Pre-trial conferences may be scheduled in open court or by email to the Calendar C email account.

Settlement approval petitions must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language where required.

At least three days before the pre-trial conference, each party should deliver to the court an unfiled pre- trial memorandum by email containing: (1) a summary of the allegations, defenses, facts, claimed injuries and damages; and (2) the last demand, offer, and policy limits.

After Court approval, counsel may file the settlement petition and, if necessary, schedule a hearing date for presentment.

Settlement approval petitions must be emailed to chambers unfiled and must not be filed until the Court approves them.