97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB4387

 

Introduced 1/30/2012, by Rep. Michael J. Madigan

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
705 ILCS 105/27.2a  from Ch. 25, par. 27.2a

    Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning fees in counties of 3,000,000 or more.


LRB097 15379 AJO 60479 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4387LRB097 15379 AJO 60479 b

1    AN ACT concerning courts.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Clerks of Courts Act is amended by changing
5Section 27.2a as follows:
 
6    (705 ILCS 105/27.2a)  (from Ch. 25, par. 27.2a)
7    Sec. 27.2a. The The fees of the clerks of the circuit court
8in all counties having a population of 3,000,000 or more
9inhabitants in the instances described in this Section shall be
10as provided in this Section. In those instances where a minimum
11and maximum fee is stated, the clerk of the circuit court must
12charge the minimum fee listed and may charge up to the maximum
13fee if the county board has by resolution increased the fee.
14The fees shall be paid in advance and shall be as follows:
15(a) Civil Cases.
16        The fee for filing a complaint, petition, or other
17    pleading initiating a civil action, with the following
18    exceptions, shall be a minimum of $190 and a maximum of
19    $240.
20            (A) When the amount of money or damages or the
21        value of personal property claimed does not exceed
22        $250, a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $22.
23            (B) When that amount exceeds $250 but does not

 

 

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1        exceed $1000, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $75.
2            (C) When that amount exceeds $1000 but does not
3        exceed $2500, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $80.
4            (D) When that amount exceeds $2500 but does not
5        exceed $5000, a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $130.
6            (E) When that amount exceeds $5000 but does not
7        exceed $15,000, $150.
8            (F) For the exercise of eminent domain, $150. For
9        each additional lot or tract of land or right or
10        interest therein subject to be condemned, the damages
11        in respect to which shall require separate assessment
12        by a jury, $150.
13            (G) For the final determination of parking,
14        standing, and compliance violations and final
15        administrative decisions issued after hearings
16        regarding vehicle immobilization and impoundment made
17        pursuant to Sections 3-704.1, 6-306.5, and 11-208.3 of
18        the Illinois Vehicle Code, $25.
19            (H) No fees shall be charged by the clerk to a
20        petitioner in any order of protection including, but
21        not limited to, filing, modifying, withdrawing,
22        certifying, or photocopying petitions for orders of
23        protection, or for issuing alias summons, or for any
24        related filing service, certifying, modifying,
25        vacating, or photocopying any orders of protection.
26(b) Forcible Entry and Detainer.

 

 

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1        In each forcible entry and detainer case when the
2    plaintiff seeks possession only or unites with his or her
3    claim for possession of the property a claim for rent or
4    damages or both in the amount of $15,000 or less, a minimum
5    of $75 and a maximum of $140. When the plaintiff unites his
6    or her claim for possession with a claim for rent or
7    damages or both exceeding $15,000, a minimum of $225 and a
8    maximum of $335.
9(c) Counterclaim or Joining Third Party Defendant.
10        When any defendant files a counterclaim as part of his
11    or her answer or otherwise or joins another party as a
12    third party defendant, or both, the defendant shall pay a
13    fee for each counterclaim or third party action in an
14    amount equal to the fee he or she would have had to pay had
15    he or she brought a separate action for the relief sought
16    in the counterclaim or against the third party defendant,
17    less the amount of the appearance fee, if that has been
18    paid.
19(d) Confession of Judgment.
20        In a confession of judgment when the amount does not
21    exceed $1500, a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $70. When
22    the amount exceeds $1500, but does not exceed $5000, a
23    minimum of $75 and a maximum of $150. When the amount
24    exceeds $5000, but does not exceed $15,000, a minimum of
25    $175 and a maximum of $260. When the amount exceeds
26    $15,000, a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $310.

 

 

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1(e) Appearance.
2        The fee for filing an appearance in each civil case
3    shall be a minimum of $75 and a maximum of $110, except as
4    follows:
5            (A) When the plaintiff in a forcible entry and
6        detainer case seeks possession only, a minimum of $40
7        and a maximum of $80.
8            (B) When the amount in the case does not exceed
9        $1500, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $80.
10            (C) When that amount exceeds $1500 but does not
11        exceed $15,000, a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $90.
12(f) Garnishment, Wage Deduction, and Citation.
13        In garnishment affidavit, wage deduction affidavit,
14    and citation petition when the amount does not exceed
15    $1,000, a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $25; when the
16    amount exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000, a minimum
17    of $30 and a maximum of $45; and when the amount exceeds
18    $5,000, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $80.
19(g) Petition to Vacate or Modify.
20        (1) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or
21    order of court, except in forcible entry and detainer cases
22    and small claims cases or a petition to reopen an estate,
23    to modify, terminate, or enforce a judgment or order for
24    child or spousal support, or to modify, suspend, or
25    terminate an order for withholding, if filed before 30 days
26    after the entry of the judgment or order, a minimum of $50

 

 

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1    and a maximum of $60.
2        (2) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or
3    order of court, except a petition to modify, terminate, or
4    enforce a judgment or order for child or spousal support or
5    to modify, suspend, or terminate an order for withholding,
6    if filed later than 30 days after the entry of the judgment
7    or order, a minimum of $75 and a maximum of $90.
8        (3) Petition to vacate order of bond forfeiture, a
9    minimum of $40 and a maximum of $80.
10(h) Mailing.
11        When the clerk is required to mail, the fee will be a
12    minimum of $10 and a maximum of $15, plus the cost of
13    postage.
14(i) Certified Copies.
15        Each certified copy of a judgment after the first,
16    except in small claims and forcible entry and detainer
17    cases, a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $20.
18(j) Habeas Corpus.
19        For filing a petition for relief by habeas corpus, a
20    minimum of $125 and a maximum of $190.
21(k) Certification, Authentication, and Reproduction.
22        (1) Each certification or authentication for taking
23    the acknowledgment of a deed or other instrument in writing
24    with the seal of office, a minimum of $6 and a maximum of
25    $9.
26        (2) Court appeals when original documents are

 

 

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1    forwarded, under 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a
2    minimum of $75 and a maximum of $110.
3        (3) Court appeals when original documents are
4    forwarded, over 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a
5    minimum of $150 and a maximum of $185.
6        (4) Court appeals when original documents are
7    forwarded, over 200 pages, an additional fee of a minimum
8    of 25 and a maximum of 30 cents per page.
9        (5) For reproduction of any document contained in the
10    clerk's files:
11            (A) First page, $2.
12            (B) Next 19 pages, 50 cents per page.
13            (C) All remaining pages, 25 cents per page.
14(l) Remands.
15        In any cases remanded to the Circuit Court from the
16    Supreme Court or the Appellate Court for a new trial, the
17    clerk shall file the remanding order and reinstate the case
18    with either its original number or a new number. The Clerk
19    shall not charge any new or additional fee for the
20    reinstatement. Upon reinstatement the Clerk shall advise
21    the parties of the reinstatement. A party shall have the
22    same right to a jury trial on remand and reinstatement as
23    he or she had before the appeal, and no additional or new
24    fee or charge shall be made for a jury trial after remand.
25(m) Record Search.
26        For each record search, within a division or municipal

 

 

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1    district, the clerk shall be entitled to a search fee of a
2    minimum of $6 and a maximum of $9 for each year searched.
3(n) Hard Copy.
4        For each page of hard copy print output, when case
5    records are maintained on an automated medium, the clerk
6    shall be entitled to a fee of a minimum of $6 and a maximum
7    of $9.
8(o) Index Inquiry and Other Records.
9        No fee shall be charged for a single
10    plaintiff/defendant index inquiry or single case record
11    inquiry when this request is made in person and the records
12    are maintained in a current automated medium, and when no
13    hard copy print output is requested. The fees to be charged
14    for management records, multiple case records, and
15    multiple journal records may be specified by the Chief
16    Judge pursuant to the guidelines for access and
17    dissemination of information approved by the Supreme
18    Court.
19(p) (Blank).
20(q) Alias Summons.
21        For each alias summons or citation issued by the clerk,
22    a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $6.
23(r) Other Fees.
24        Any fees not covered in this Section shall be set by
25    rule or administrative order of the Circuit Court with the
26    approval of the Administrative Office of the Illinois

 

 

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1    Courts.
2        The clerk of the circuit court may provide additional
3    services for which there is no fee specified by statute in
4    connection with the operation of the clerk's office as may
5    be requested by the public and agreed to by the clerk and
6    approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Any
7    charges for additional services shall be as agreed to
8    between the clerk and the party making the request and
9    approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Nothing
10    in this subsection shall be construed to require any clerk
11    to provide any service not otherwise required by law.
12(s) Jury Services.
13        The clerk shall be entitled to receive, in addition to
14    other fees allowed by law, the sum of a minimum of $212.50
15    and maximum of $230, as a fee for the services of a jury in
16    every civil action not quasi-criminal in its nature and not
17    a proceeding for the exercise of the right of eminent
18    domain and in every other action wherein the right of trial
19    by jury is or may be given by law. The jury fee shall be
20    paid by the party demanding a jury at the time of filing
21    the jury demand. If the fee is not paid by either party, no
22    jury shall be called in the action or proceeding, and the
23    same shall be tried by the court without a jury.
24(t) Voluntary Assignment.
25        For filing each deed of voluntary assignment, a minimum
26    of $20 and a maximum of $40; for recording the same, a

 

 

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1    minimum of 50¢ and a maximum of $0.80 for each 100 words.
2    Exceptions filed to claims presented to an assignee of a
3    debtor who has made a voluntary assignment for the benefit
4    of creditors shall be considered and treated, for the
5    purpose of taxing costs therein, as actions in which the
6    party or parties filing the exceptions shall be considered
7    as party or parties plaintiff, and the claimant or
8    claimants as party or parties defendant, and those parties
9    respectively shall pay to the clerk the same fees as
10    provided by this Section to be paid in other actions.
11(u) Expungement Petition.
12        The clerk shall be entitled to receive a fee of a
13    minimum of $60 and a maximum of $120 for each expungement
14    petition filed and an additional fee of a minimum of $4 and
15    a maximum of $8 for each certified copy of an order to
16    expunge arrest records.
17(v) Probate.
18        The clerk is entitled to receive the fees specified in
19    this subsection (v), which shall be paid in advance, except
20    that, for good cause shown, the court may suspend, reduce,
21    or release the costs payable under this subsection:
22        (1) For administration of the estate of a decedent
23    (whether testate or intestate) or of a missing person, a
24    minimum of $150 and a maximum of $225, plus the fees
25    specified in subsection (v)(3), except:
26            (A) When the value of the real and personal

 

 

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1        property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a
2        minimum of $40 and a maximum of $65.
3            (B) When (i) proof of heirship alone is made, (ii)
4        a domestic or foreign will is admitted to probate
5        without administration (including proof of heirship),
6        or (iii) letters of office are issued for a particular
7        purpose without administration of the estate, the fee
8        shall be a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $65.
9        (2) For administration of the estate of a ward, a
10    minimum of $75 and a maximum of $110, plus the fees
11    specified in subsection (v)(3), except:
12            (A) When the value of the real and personal
13        property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a
14        minimum of $40 and a maximum of $65.
15            (B) When (i) letters of office are issued to a
16        guardian of the person or persons, but not of the
17        estate or (ii) letters of office are issued in the
18        estate of a ward without administration of the estate,
19        including filing or joining in the filing of a tax
20        return or releasing a mortgage or consenting to the
21        marriage of the ward, the fee shall be a minimum of $20
22        and a maximum of $40.
23        (3) In addition to the fees payable under subsection
24    (v)(1) or (v)(2) of this Section, the following fees are
25    payable:
26            (A) For each account (other than one final account)

 

 

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1        filed in the estate of a decedent, or ward, a minimum
2        of $25 and a maximum of $40.
3            (B) For filing a claim in an estate when the amount
4        claimed is $150 or more but less than $500, a minimum
5        of $20 and a maximum of $40; when the amount claimed is
6        $500 or more but less than $10,000, a minimum of $40
7        and a maximum of $65; when the amount claimed is
8        $10,000 or more, a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $90;
9        provided that the court in allowing a claim may add to
10        the amount allowed the filing fee paid by the claimant.
11            (C) For filing in an estate a claim, petition, or
12        supplemental proceeding based upon an action seeking
13        equitable relief including the construction or contest
14        of a will, enforcement of a contract to make a will,
15        and proceedings involving testamentary trusts or the
16        appointment of testamentary trustees, a minimum of $60
17        and a maximum of $90.
18            (D) For filing in an estate (i) the appearance of
19        any person for the purpose of consent or (ii) the
20        appearance of an executor, administrator,
21        administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem,
22        or special administrator, no fee.
23            (E) Except as provided in subsection (v)(3)(D),
24        for filing the appearance of any person or persons, a
25        minimum of $30 and a maximum of $90.
26            (F) For each jury demand, a minimum of $137.50 and

 

 

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1        a maximum of $180.
2            (G) For disposition of the collection of a judgment
3        or settlement of an action or claim for wrongful death
4        of a decedent or of any cause of action of a ward, when
5        there is no other administration of the estate, a
6        minimum of $50 and a maximum of $80, less any amount
7        paid under subsection (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B) except
8        that if the amount involved does not exceed $5,000, the
9        fee, including any amount paid under subsection
10        (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B), shall be a minimum of $20 and a
11        maximum of $40.
12            (H) For each certified copy of letters of office,
13        of court order or other certification, a minimum of $2
14        and a maximum of $4, plus $1 per page in excess of 3
15        pages for the document certified.
16            (I) For each exemplification, $2, plus the fee for
17        certification.
18        (4) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner,
19    or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay
20    the cost of publication by the clerk directly to the
21    newspaper.
22        (5) The person on whose behalf a charge is incurred for
23    witness, court reporter, appraiser, or other miscellaneous
24    fee shall pay the same directly to the person entitled
25    thereto.
26        (6) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner,

 

 

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1    or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay
2    to the clerk all postage charges incurred by the clerk in
3    mailing petitions, orders, notices, or other documents
4    pursuant to the provisions of the Probate Act of 1975.
5(w) Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Costs and Fees.
6        (1) The clerk shall be entitled to costs in all
7    criminal and quasi-criminal cases from each person
8    convicted or sentenced to supervision therein as follows:
9            (A) Felony complaints, a minimum of $125 and a
10        maximum of $190.
11            (B) Misdemeanor complaints, a minimum of $75 and a
12        maximum of $110.
13            (C) Business offense complaints, a minimum of $75
14        and a maximum of $110.
15            (D) Petty offense complaints, a minimum of $75 and
16        a maximum of $110.
17            (E) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $30.
18            (F) When court appearance required, $50.
19            (G) Motions to vacate or amend final orders, a
20        minimum of $40 and a maximum of $80.
21            (H) Motions to vacate bond forfeiture orders, a
22        minimum of $30 and a maximum of $45.
23            (I) Motions to vacate ex parte judgments, whenever
24        filed, a minimum of $30 and a maximum of $45.
25            (J) Motions to vacate judgment on forfeitures,
26        whenever filed, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $30.

 

 

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1            (K) Motions to vacate "failure to appear" or
2        "failure to comply" notices sent to the Secretary of
3        State, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $50.
4        (2) In counties having a population of 3,000,000 or
5    more, when the violation complaint is issued by a municipal
6    police department, the clerk shall be entitled to costs
7    from each person convicted therein as follows:
8            (A) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $30.
9            (B) When court appearance required, $50.
10        (3) In ordinance violation cases punishable by fine
11    only, the clerk of the circuit court shall be entitled to
12    receive, unless the fee is excused upon a finding by the
13    court that the defendant is indigent, in addition to other
14    fees or costs allowed or imposed by law, the sum of a
15    minimum of $112.50 and a maximum of $250 as a fee for the
16    services of a jury. The jury fee shall be paid by the
17    defendant at the time of filing his or her jury demand. If
18    the fee is not so paid by the defendant, no jury shall be
19    called, and the case shall be tried by the court without a
20    jury.
21(x) Transcripts of Judgment.
22        For the filing of a transcript of judgment, the clerk
23    shall be entitled to the same fee as if it were the
24    commencement of a new suit.
25(y) Change of Venue.
26        (1) For the filing of a change of case on a change of

 

 

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1    venue, the clerk shall be entitled to the same fee as if it
2    were the commencement of a new suit.
3        (2) The fee for the preparation and certification of a
4    record on a change of venue to another jurisdiction, when
5    original documents are forwarded, a minimum of $40 and a
6    maximum of $65.
7(z) Tax objection complaints.
8        For each tax objection complaint containing one or more
9    tax objections, regardless of the number of parcels
10    involved or the number of taxpayers joining in the
11    complaint, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $100.
12(aa) Tax Deeds.
13        (1) Petition for tax deed, if only one parcel is
14    involved, a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $400.
15        (2) For each additional parcel, add a fee of a minimum
16    of $100 and a maximum of $200.
17(bb) Collections.
18        (1) For all collections made of others, except the
19    State and county and except in maintenance or child support
20    cases, a sum equal to 3.0% of the amount collected and
21    turned over.
22        (2) Interest earned on any funds held by the clerk
23    shall be turned over to the county general fund as an
24    earning of the office.
25        (3) For any check, draft, or other bank instrument
26    returned to the clerk for non-sufficient funds, account

 

 

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1    closed, or payment stopped, $25.
2        (4) In child support and maintenance cases, the clerk,
3    if authorized by an ordinance of the county board, may
4    collect an annual fee of up to $36 from the person making
5    payment for maintaining child support records and the
6    processing of support orders to the State of Illinois KIDS
7    system and the recording of payments issued by the State
8    Disbursement Unit for the official record of the Court.
9    This fee shall be in addition to and separate from amounts
10    ordered to be paid as maintenance or child support and
11    shall be deposited into a Separate Maintenance and Child
12    Support Collection Fund, of which the clerk shall be the
13    custodian, ex-officio, to be used by the clerk to maintain
14    child support orders and record all payments issued by the
15    State Disbursement Unit for the official record of the
16    Court. The clerk may recover from the person making the
17    maintenance or child support payment any additional cost
18    incurred in the collection of this annual fee.
19        The clerk shall also be entitled to a fee of $5 for
20    certifications made to the Secretary of State as provided
21    in Section 7-703 of the Family Financial Responsibility Law
22    and these fees shall also be deposited into the Separate
23    Maintenance and Child Support Collection Fund.
24(cc) Corrections of Numbers.
25        For correction of the case number, case title, or
26    attorney computer identification number, if required by

 

 

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1    rule of court, on any document filed in the clerk's office,
2    to be charged against the party that filed the document, a
3    minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.
4(dd) Exceptions.
5        (1) The fee requirements of this Section shall not
6    apply to police departments or other law enforcement
7    agencies. In this Section, "law enforcement agency" means
8    an agency of the State or a unit of local government which
9    is vested by law or ordinance with the duty to maintain
10    public order and to enforce criminal laws or ordinances.
11    "Law enforcement agency" also means the Attorney General or
12    any state's attorney.
13        (2) No fee provided herein shall be charged to any unit
14    of local government or school district. The fee
15    requirements of this Section shall not apply to any action
16    instituted under subsection (b) of Section 11-31-1 of the
17    Illinois Municipal Code by a private owner or tenant of
18    real property within 1200 feet of a dangerous or unsafe
19    building seeking an order compelling the owner or owners of
20    the building to take any of the actions authorized under
21    that subsection.
22        (3) The fee requirements of this Section shall not
23    apply to the filing of any commitment petition or petition
24    for an order authorizing the administration of
25    psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy under
26    the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.

 

 

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1(ee) Adoption.
2        (1) For an adoption...............................$65
3        (2) Upon good cause shown, the court may waive the
4    adoption filing fee in a special needs adoption. The term
5    "special needs adoption" shall have the meaning ascribed to
6    it by the Illinois Department of Children and Family
7    Services.
8(ff) Adoption exemptions.
9        No fee other than that set forth in subsection (ee)
10    shall be charged to any person in connection with an
11    adoption proceeding nor may any fee be charged for
12    proceedings for the appointment of a confidential
13    intermediary under the Adoption Act.
14(gg) Unpaid fees.
15        Unless a court ordered payment schedule is implemented
16    or the fee requirements of this Section are waived pursuant
17    to court order, the clerk of the court may add to any
18    unpaid fees and costs under this Section a delinquency
19    amount equal to 5% of the unpaid fees that remain unpaid
20    after 30 days, 10% of the unpaid fees that remain unpaid
21    after 60 days, and 15% of the unpaid fees that remain
22    unpaid after 90 days. Notice to those parties may be made
23    by signage posting or publication. The additional
24    delinquency amounts collected under this Section shall be
25    used to defray additional administrative costs incurred by
26    the clerk of the circuit court in collecting unpaid fees

 

 

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1    and costs.
2(Source: P.A. 95-172, eff. 8-14-07.)