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

  • Address: 200 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701
  • Phone: (217) 782-2035
  • Website: Illinois Supreme Court
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Coordinates: 39.8016° N, 89.6500° W

Illinois Appellate Court – First District

  • Address: 160 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601
  • Phone: (312) 793-5484
  • Website: Illinois Appellate Court – First District
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Coordinates: 41.8841° N, 87.6324° W

Illinois Appellate Court – Second District

  • Address: 55 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120
  • Phone:  (847) 695-3750
  • Website:  Illinois Appellate Court – Second District
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Coordinates: 42.0350° N latitude and 88.2392° W

Illinois Third District Appellate Court

  • Address: 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350
  • Phone: (815) 434-5050
  • Website: Illinois Third District Court of Appeal
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Latitude and Longitude: 41.3459° N, 88.8426° W

Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court

  • Address: 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704
  • Phone: (217) 782-2586
  • Website:  Illinois Fourth District
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Latitude and Longitude: 39.8000° N, 89.6550° W

Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court

  • Address: 14th & Main Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
  • Phone: (618) 242-3120
  • Website: Illinois Fifth District
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Latitude and Longitude: 38.3173° N, 88.9031° W