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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Scott D. McKenna

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Circuit Court of Cook County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Pre Trial Memo
3 pgs
Brief
15 pgs
Courtesy CopyCourt-wide
20 pgs

Communication

Other Contacts1 contacts

Filters:

Page & Word Limits2 rules

Page LimitsMandatoryCivil cases

All motions/briefs filed are restricted to no longer than 15 pages, absent prior leave of Court.

Brief
Up to 15 pages

Exception

More pages with leave of court

Law-Courtroom-2101-Judge-McKenna-Standing-Order-eff-04-23-2025 · p. 2|SectionPost-Trial Motions
Page LimitsNoteCivil cases

Brief (no longer than 3 pages) Pre-Trial Memos are appreciated, although not required, by emailing to the Judge at any time before the day of the Conference.

Page limit
Up to 3 pages
Law-Courtroom-2101-Judge-McKenna-Standing-Order-eff-04-23-2025 · p. 2|SectionPre-Trial/Settlement Conferences

Document Filing Requirements3 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Petitions shall include: (1) an itemized list of costs; (2) a description of all lien claims, even if the lien does not attach to the proceeds; and (3) appropriate language where further probate proceedings are required

Law-Courtroom-2101-Judge-McKenna-Standing-Order-eff-04-23-2025 · p. 2|SectionPetitions to Approve Settlement
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

once a date has been confirmed, the parties must send an Order to the Judge scheduling the Conference.

Law-Courtroom-2101-Judge-McKenna-Standing-Order-eff-04-23-2025 · p. 2|SectionPre-Trial/Settlement Conferences
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

the parties must obtain from Courtroom 2005 an Order transferring the case to Judge McKenna for pre-trial only.

Law-Courtroom-2101-Judge-McKenna-Standing-Order-eff-04-23-2025 · p. 2|SectionPre-Trial/Settlement Conferences

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

After being filed in Odyssey, any such motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution to the motion.

After being filed in Odyssey, any such motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution to the motion.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Post-Trial Motions

Chambers Communication Rules

Petitions to approve settlement and proposed Orders must be presented to the Court by emailing the Judge.

said Petition and proposed Order shall be presented to the Court by emailing it to the Judge.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Petitions to Approve Settlement

Parties schedule pre-trial dates by emailing the Judge with all parties cc'd, including case information and requested time frame.

The parties can then schedule a date for pre-trial by emailing the Judge at scott.mckenna@cookcountyil.gov, with all parties cc'd on the email, indicating the case information and time frame requested for the pre-trial.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Pre-Trial/Settlement Conferences

Post-trial motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution.

After being filed in Odyssey, any such motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution to the motion.

Civil cases

Page 2 | Post-Trial Motions

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 Scott D. McKenna

Judge Scott D. McKenna is a district judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Illinois trial court serving Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Judge McKenna's published procedures consist of a standing order for Law Courtroom 2101, effective April 23, 2025.

Common questions about Judge Scott D. McKenna's rules

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Scott D. McKenna?

Judge Scott D. McKenna's rule states these limits: 15 pages. All post-trial motions/briefs are limited to 15 pages unless prior leave of Court is granted.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Post-Trial Motions

What page or word limits apply to pre trial memo before Judge Scott D. McKenna?

Judge Scott D. McKenna's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Pre-Trial Memos are limited to 3 pages and may be emailed to the Judge anytime before the Conference (optional but appreciated).

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pre-Trial/Settlement Conferences

What must be included with transfer order filings before Judge Scott D. McKenna?

Parties must obtain an Order from Courtroom 2005 transferring the case to Judge McKenna for pre-trial only.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Pre-Trial/Settlement Conferences

What must be included with petition filings before Judge Scott D. McKenna?

Petitions to approve settlement must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Petitions to Approve Settlement

How may parties contact Judge Scott D. McKenna's chambers?

Petitions to approve settlement and proposed Orders must be presented to the Court by emailing the Judge.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Petitions to Approve Settlement

Is electronic filing required before Judge Scott D. McKenna?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. After being filed in Odyssey, any such motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution to the motion.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Post-Trial Motions
Complete rules summary for Judge Scott D. McKenna

Parties schedule pre-trial dates by emailing the Judge with all parties cc'd, including case information and requested time frame.

Pre-Trial Memos are limited to 3 pages and may be emailed to the Judge anytime before the Conference (optional but appreciated).

Post-trial motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution.

Parties must obtain an Order from Courtroom 2005 transferring the case to Judge McKenna for pre-trial only.

Petitions to approve settlement must include an itemized list of costs, a description of all lien claims, and appropriate probate language.

All post-trial motions/briefs are limited to 15 pages unless prior leave of Court is granted.

After being filed in Odyssey, any such motions may be emailed to Judge McKenna, who will consult with counsel on a resolution to the motion.

Petitions to approve settlement and proposed Orders must be presented to the Court by emailing the Judge.

Parties must send an Order to the Judge scheduling the Conference once a date is confirmed.

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