At Brownstone Law, we are committed to providing exceptional appellate representation, guiding clients through the complexities of Illinois’s appellate court system. Our experienced attorneys ensure meticulous preparation and effective presentation of your case.

Illinois Appellate Court System Overview

Illinois’s appellate system comprises two primary courts: the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court.

  • Illinois Appellate Court: Serving as the intermediate appellate court, it reviews appeals from the Circuit Courts. The court is organized into five districts, each encompassing specific counties:
    • First District: Cook County
    • Second District: Northern counties excluding Cook
    • Third District: North-central counties
    • Fourth District: Central counties
    • Fifth District: Southern counties
  • Illinois Supreme Court: As the state’s highest court, it has discretionary jurisdiction over appeals from the Appellate Court and direct jurisdiction in specific matters, such as legislative redistricting and certain cases involving the governor. The court consists of seven justices elected from the five appellate districts.

Caseload and Statistics

The Illinois Supreme Court publishes annual reports detailing the caseloads of both the Supreme and Appellate Courts. For instance, in 2023, the Supreme Court filed 1,648 cases and disposed of 1,788 cases. Detailed statistics for the Appellate Court, including civil, criminal, and total pending cases for all districts, can be accessed through the Illinois Courts’ official website.

Rules of Appellate Procedure

Appeals in Illinois are governed by the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, which outline procedures for filing appeals, including timelines, formatting requirements for briefs, and guidelines for oral arguments. Adherence to these rules is crucial for the successful progression of an appeal.

Process for Appealing a Case

  1. Notice of Appeal: File a notice of appeal with the clerk of the trial court within 30 days after the entry of the final judgment or order.
  2. Docketing Statement: Submit a docketing statement to the Appellate Court within 14 days of filing the notice of appeal.
  3. Record on Appeal: The appellant is responsible for ensuring that the record on appeal, including transcripts and relevant documents, is prepared and filed with the Appellate Court.
  4. Briefs: The appellant submits an opening brief outlining legal arguments and alleged errors in the trial court’s decision. The appellee responds with their brief, and the appellant may file a reply brief if necessary.
  5. Oral Argument: In some cases, the court may schedule oral arguments, allowing attorneys to present their positions and answer judges’ questions.
  6. Decision: After reviewing the materials and arguments, the court issues a written opinion, which may affirm, reverse, or remand the case.

High-Profile Cases

Illinois’s appellate courts have presided over several notable cases:

  • Overturning of Jussie Smollett’s Conviction (2024): The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who had been found guilty of staging a hate crime. The court determined that prosecutors improperly reinstated charges after an initial agreement to drop them, citing a violation of due process.
  • Reversal of Wyndham Lathem’s Murder Conviction (2024): An Illinois Appellate Court overturned the conviction of former Northwestern University professor Wyndham Lathem for the 2017 murder of his boyfriend, Trenton Cornell-Duranleau. The court ruled that Lathem’s right to counsel was violated during the trial, leading to the reversal and a mandate for a new trial
  • Pretrial Release of Deputy Sean Grayson (2024): The Illinois Appellate Court ordered the pretrial release of former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey. The court found that the lower court did not provide sufficient evidence that Grayson posed a danger to the community that couldn’t be mitigated by supervision.

Contact Information

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Appellate Court – First District

Illinois Appellate Court – Second District

Illinois Third District Appellate Court

Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court

Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court

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Illinois Courts of Appeal – Statewide Appellate Court Overview

Illinois operates a multilayered appellate system to review decisions from its circuit (trial) courts. The Illinois Appellate Court serves as the intermediate appellate court with five geographic districts, and the Illinois Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort, exercising discretionary review and authority over important legal questions. (Brownstone Law)

Brownstone Law represents clients in appeals and post-conviction matters in all Illinois appellate courts, including civil and criminal appeals, preservation of error, discretionary review, and constitutional claims.

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Learn more about our appellate practice:
Illinois Appeal Lawyers – Brownstone Law (Brownstone Law)

Structure of Illinois Appellate Courts

  • Illinois Supreme Court – Highest court in the state
  • Illinois Appellate Court – Intermediate appellate court with five districts
    • First District
    • Second District
    • Third District
    • Fourth District
    • Fifth District (Illinois Courts)

Each appellate district reviews appeals from trial courts within its region. Decisions of the Appellate Court may be reviewed by the Supreme Court through petitions for leave to appeal or as provided by court rules.

What Each Illinois Appellate Court Reviews

Illinois Supreme Court

The Illinois Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the state. It:

  • Reviews significant civil and criminal appellate decisions
  • Resolves splits in appellate authority
  • Interprets state law and constitutional issues
  • Provides binding precedent statewide (Brownstone Law)

Brownstone Law handles:

  • Petitions for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court
  • Supreme Court briefing and oral argument strategy

🔗 Illinois Supreme Court – Brownstone Law

Illinois Appellate Court

The Illinois Appellate Court serves as the intermediate appellate tribunal, reviewing civil and criminal appeals from circuit courts within its five districts. It also issues written opinions that guide trial courts and attorneys on standards of review, error preservation, and statutory interpretation. (Illinois Courts)

District-specific appellate resources:

Fifth District – Brownstone Law

Illinois Appellate Representation by Brownstone Law

Brownstone Law’s appellate attorneys guide clients through each step of the appellate process, from filing the notice of appeal to oral argument in the Supreme Court. We focus on:

  • Identifying preserved and arguable issues
  • Drafting persuasive briefs and reply briefs
  • Crafting appellate strategy tailored to each district
  • Coordinating Supreme Court petitions when appropriate

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Related Illinois Appellate Resources