To start an appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal in the circuit court where the case was decided. A Notice of Appeal is a court form that tells a judge that you are appealing their decision. The Notice of Appeal says what relief you will be seeking from the appellate court. Learn more about filing a Notice of Appeal. 

E-filing is required for all civil appeals. Please visit the Illinois Courts' website to register for an Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP). You will then use the EFSP to file all of your forms. You must first register for an account first. 

If you need help, each appellate clerk's office has a public computer and scanner. You can go in person to register with an EFSP and then e-file your documents. If you handwrote your documents, you will need to first scan and then upload the documents into the EFSP. 

You may be excused from e-filing if you:

• Do not have internet or computer access at home and are unable to travel, 
• Have a disability that keeps you from e-filing, 
• Have trouble reading or speaking in English, or
• You tried to e-file your papers, but were not able to because the equipment or help you needed was not available. 

If you qualify for the exemption, you must complete a Certification for Exemption From E-Filing and file it with the appellate court. If you have any questions about the exemption, please contact your local appellate clerk's office. 

Shortly after filing the Notice of Appeal, you will need to file the Request for Preparation of Record on Appeal with the circuit court clerk. The record on appeal, or the “common law record,” is made up of all the:

• Pleadings, 
• Orders, 
• Motions, 
• Evidence, and 
• Other documents that were filed in the circuit court while your case was in front of the circuit court judge. 

Learn more about how to file the Request for Preparation of Record on Appeal.

The report of proceedings is also called a transcript. A transcript is a typed record of a hearing or trial. It includes what the judge, parties, witnesses, and lawyers said or testified to in court. Learn more about filing a Request for Report of Proceedings (Transcripts) with the court reporter's office. 

A court reporter or recording equipment must have been present during your circuit court case to transcribe what was said.  If there was no court reporter or recording equipment during your case, you can submit a Bystander's Report or an Agreed Statement of Facts. Learn more about how and when to file either of these reports. 

A Docketing Statement is a form used in a civil appeal.  It tells the court and other parties that you have taken the steps necessary to begin the appeal. You will need to attach completed copies of the two forms above. (Request for Preparation of the Record on Appeal and Request for Report of Proceedings.) It is filed with the appellate clerk's office. Learn more about how to file the Docketing Statement. 

An Appellate Brief is a party's written argument saying why the circuit court or the jury did or did not make a mistake. It includes why the party filing the brief should win the case. It is filed with the appellate clerk's office. The brief: 

• Describes the facts of the case, 
• Presents the party's argument about the issues on appeal, and 
• Supports those arguments with legal authority. 

The Appellant's Brief is filed first. It is filed by the appellant and presents arguments for why the circuit court's decision should be overturned. See Appellate Brief basics. 

The Appellee may file a response to the Appellant’s Brief, however it is not required. The Appellee's Brief outlines why the circuit court's decision was correct. It is filed with the appellate clerk's office. If the appellee does not file the Appellee’s Brief, they cannot participate in the appeal. Find out more about requirements for the appellee. 

If the appellee replies, the appellant may submit a response brief. It is filed by the appellant only if the Appellee's Brief is filed, and it is filed with the appellate clerk's office. The brief contains only arguments responding to arguments raised by the appellee. 

Oral argument allows the parties to make their case verbally in front of a panel of three appellate justices. Typically, the court will allow each party 15 to 20 minutes to present their argument and answer questions. The appellate court is not required to hold oral arguments so you must request it. Learn more about how to make an oral argument. 

The appellate court clerk will notify all parties when the court has reached a decision. It may take many months to complete the appeal. Find out more about how the appellate court makes a decision. 

If the appellate court rules against you, you may file a Petition for Rehearing with the appellate court within 21 days after the decision. You should file this if you believe the court misunderstood key points of your case. If you lost your appeal you may also file a Petition for Leave to Appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court. Learn more about Petitioning the appellate court for a rehearing.