TYPES OF CASES:

Adoptions (AD)

Chancery (CH)

The chancery division hears matters in equity which are filed under the following categories:

• injunctions

• class actions

• mortgage foreclosures

• name changes

• declaratory judgments

• partnership and corporate dissolution

• statutory and administrative review

• trust and trusteeships

Criminal Misdemeanor (CM)

A misdemeanor is defined as a crime that is punishable by a fine and by a term of imprisonment not be be served in a penitentiary and not to exceed one year; a crime that carries a less severe punishment than a felony.

Criminal Felony (CF)

A felony is defined as a crime that has a greater punishment imposed by statue than that imposed on a misdemeanor; a federal crime for which punishment may be death (if applicable) or imprisonment for more than one year.

Dissolution of Marriage (D)

We work with petitions for dissolution, invalidity of marriage, joint simplified dissolution of marriage, custody, visitation, legal separation and all civil order of protection and post decree issues.

Eminent Domain (ED)

Eminent domain is defined as the right of the government to take property from a private owner for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of its sovereignty over all lands within it's jurisdiction.

The 5th amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires the government to compensate the owner of property taken by eminent domain.

Family (F)

The family division handles cases dealing with determining paternity of children, establishing child support for children of unmarried parents, and determining custody of children.

Law (L)

A law case is defined as a lawsuit that is brought into court for the purpose of seeking relief from or remedy for an alleged wrong when the damages exceed $50,000.

Forcible Entry and Detainer (LM)

Defined as the forcible entry upon and keeping of real property without the authority of law when plaintiff is seeking up to $10,000.

Mental Health (MH)

A mental health case determines whether or not a defendant has a mental illness for the purposes of convicting he/she for a crime.

Juvenile (J)

The juvenile division has jurisdiction over all delinquent minors who, prior to their 17th birthday, have violated a federal or state law or municipal ordinance other than traffic, fishing, boating, and game law violations.

Juvenile records are confidential and cannot be viewed by the general public. Only those individuals related to the court action may actually view the file.

Miscellaneous Remedy (MR)

Order of Protection (OP)

An order of protection is issued for the protection of a person or party against another individual.

Probate (P)

The probate division handles the following types of cases:

• probate and contest of wills

• claims against estates

• administration of estates of decedents, disabled persons, minors and wards

• will constructions

• contracts to make a will

• actions arising under the Illinois Power of Attorney Act

Tax (TX)

Small Claim (SC)

A small claim is a claim for the recovery of money or property whose value is below $5,000.