Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Filing fee
- $287–$379
- Court
- Circuit Court
- File online
- Yes
Cook County filing fees
Source: cookcountyclerkofcourt.org (Civil Division); Clerk Municipal Division Fee Schedule CCG-0603 (eff. 1/1/2022) + Miscellaneous Fees CCG-0140 (rev. 10/28/25); illinoiscourts.gov Ill. S. Ct. Rules 281-289 & 303 and statewide small claims forms; cookcountycourtil.gov district courthouse locations
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| $0.01 – $2,500 | $287 |
| $2,500.01 – $10,000 | $379 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 312-603-5116 before you file.
Where to file
Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County)
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 601, Chicago, IL 60602
312-603-5116
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Electronic filing via eFileIL (mandatory for attorneys under Ill. S. Ct. Rule 9; available to self-represented filers)
- In person at the Civil Division counter, Richard J. Daley Center Room 601, or a suburban district courthouse — paper filing requires an approved e-filing exemption
- By mail with an approved e-filing exemption
Walk-in filing is available at 6 locations: District 1 (First Municipal District) — Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602, District 2 — 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie, IL 60077 (847-470-7250), District 3 — 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 (847-818-3000), District 4 — 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153 (708-865-6040), District 5 — 10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455 (708-974-6500), District 6 — 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham, IL 60428 (708-232-4551).
The forms you need
Cook County requires 3 forms to open a small claims case:
- Small Claims Complaint (Illinois statewide standardized, approved 06/2024)
- Small Claims Summons (Illinois statewide standardized, approved 06/2024)
- How to File & Serve a Small Claims Complaint & Summons (SC-I 1802.4)
We keep the current Cook County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of Claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
If your claim is based on a written agreement, a copy must be attached to the Statement of Claim.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff chooses the method. At the plaintiff's request the circuit clerk will serve the summons and complaint by certified or registered mail in lieu of personal service (Rule 284); otherwise the plaintiff arranges service by the county sheriff or a court-appointed special process server.
- County sheriff — personal service
- Court-appointed special process server — personal service
- Clerk-sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery to a natural person (Rule 284) — $2 per defendant plus the cost of mailing, paid to the clerk
Certified- or registered-mail service is not proved unless the return receipt shows delivery at least 21 days before the appearance date and restricted-delivery requirements are met; if it fails, the plaintiff must re-serve by sheriff or special process server.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $10,000 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your trial date is set when you file, so you leave the counter knowing when to come back. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
The Cook County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Cook County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your trial
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Cook County?
Between $287 and $379, depending on your claim amount. $0.01 – $2,500: $287. $2,500.01 – $10,000: $379.
What is the small claims limit in Cook County?
$10,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Where do I file a small claims case in Cook County?
Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County), Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 601, Chicago. Also at District 2 — 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie, IL 60077 (847-470-7250), District 3 — 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 (847-818-3000), District 4 — 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153 (708-865-6040), District 5 — 10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455 (708-974-6500), District 6 — 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham, IL 60428 (708-232-4551). You can also file online.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Cook County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves the defendant?
The plaintiff chooses the method. At the plaintiff's request the circuit clerk will serve the summons and complaint by certified or registered mail in lieu of personal service (Rule 284); otherwise the plaintiff arranges service by the county sheriff or a court-appointed special process server.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from cookcountyclerkofcourt.org (Civil Division); Clerk Municipal Division Fee Schedule CCG-0603 (eff. 1/1/2022) + Miscellaneous Fees CCG-0140 (rev. 10/28/25); illinoiscourts.gov Ill. S. Ct. Rules 281-289 & 303 and statewide small claims forms; cookcountycourtil.gov district courthouse locations and Ill. S. Ct. Rules 281-289 (Small Claims). See how we verify.