Illinois Court Locations and Records: Find the Right Office Fast
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Family cases in Illinois are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce and custody (now 'parental responsibilities') are heard in the Circuit Court. Illinois groups counties into judicial circuits; Cook County (Chicago) is its own circuit.
The clerk's office is a different thing from the court itself. The clerk accepts filings, keeps the record, and collects fees, while judges and hearings belong to the court. For a filing question, the clerk is the right first call. The official Illinois directory and case record search are below.
Official Illinois court locators
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Illinois circuit court clerks by county (Illinois judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/
Illinois court records (Judici / re:SearchIL / county) (Illinois courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as mixed and the system is organized county-by-county. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/public/
Illinois state courts website (Illinois judicial branch): The official home of the Illinois court system, with statewide rules, news, and links to every court. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov
eFileIL (Tyler Technologies): Illinois requires e-filing in civil cases, including family law, even for people without lawyers, but you can ask to be excused with a simple exemption certificate if you lack internet access, have a disability, or face a language barrier. The state's own filing option is free to use. https://efileil.tylertech.cloud/
Illinois court self-help resources (Illinois courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Illinois family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.illinoislegalaid.org
Illinois court records (Judici / re:SearchIL / county): Varies; re:SearchIL needs registration. No unified statewide public search; Cook County uses its own portal. Juvenile and confidential cases are excluded. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/public/
Open illinoiscourts.gov/public to find your court
For participating counties, use Judici.com (no account for basic search)
For documents, register a public user on re:SearchIL
Official link data for Illinois was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Which court hears family cases in Illinois?
Family cases in Illinois are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce and custody (now 'parental responsibilities') are heard in the Circuit Court. Illinois groups counties into judicial circuits; Cook County (Chicago) is its own circuit.
Can I look up an existing Illinois case online?
Illinois court records (Judici / re:SearchIL / county) is the official search. Varies; re:SearchIL needs registration. No unified statewide public search; Cook County uses its own portal. Juvenile and confidential cases are excluded.
Is the clerk the same as the court?
No. The clerk of court accepts filings, keeps records, and collects fees. Judges and hearings belong to the court itself. For filing questions, start with the clerk's office.
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Preparing for a family court conversation often starts with finding the right information. Free co-parent text messaging, evidence organization and behavior pattern tools help you connect selected messages, supporting records and dated observations so you can review the details and prepare questions for your attorney.
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Review behavior patterns in context
Use behavior pattern tools to review communication over time and connect dated observations to their supporting records. Response timing, unanswered questions and member-added notes can provide starting points for your review. Check automated findings against the full conversation, including later replies or explanations. The tools do not establish intent, diagnose a parent or replace an attorney's assessment of your circumstances.
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