99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3724

 

Introduced , by Rep. David R. Leitch

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
705 ILCS 105/27.1a  from Ch. 25, par. 27.1a

    Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning fees of the clerks of the circuit court in counties having a population of not more than 500,000 inhabitants.


LRB099 11090 MRW 31499 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3724LRB099 11090 MRW 31499 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 27.1a as follows:
 
6    (705 ILCS 105/27.1a)  (from Ch. 25, par. 27.1a)
7    Sec. 27.1a. The The fees of the clerks of the circuit court
8in all counties having a population of not more than 500,000
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 $40 and a maximum of
19    $160.
20            (A) When the amount of money or damages or the
21        value of personal property claimed does not exceed
22        $250, $10.
23            (B) When that amount exceeds $250 but does not

 

 

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1        exceed $500, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $20.
2            (C) When that amount exceeds $500 but does not
3        exceed $2500, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.
4            (D) When that amount exceeds $2500 but does not
5        exceed $15,000, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $75.
6            (E) For the exercise of eminent domain, a minimum
7        of $45 and a maximum of $150. For each additional lot
8        or tract of land or right or interest therein subject
9        to be condemned, the damages in respect to which shall
10        require separate assessment by a jury, a minimum of $45
11        and a maximum of $150.
12(a-1) Family.
13        For filing a petition under the Juvenile Court Act of
14    1987, $25.
15        For filing a petition for a marriage license, $10.
16        For performing a marriage in court, $10.
17        For filing a petition under the Illinois Parentage Act
18    of 1984, $40.
19(b) Forcible Entry and Detainer.
20        In each forcible entry and detainer case when the
21    plaintiff seeks possession only or unites with his or her
22    claim for possession of the property a claim for rent or
23    damages or both in the amount of $15,000 or less, a minimum
24    of $10 and a maximum of $50. When the plaintiff unites his
25    or her claim for possession with a claim for rent or
26    damages or both exceeding $15,000, a minimum of $40 and a

 

 

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1    maximum of $160.
2(c) Counterclaim or Joining Third Party Defendant.
3        When any defendant files a counterclaim as part of his
4    or her answer or otherwise or joins another party as a
5    third party defendant, or both, the defendant shall pay a
6    fee for each counterclaim or third party action in an
7    amount equal to the fee he or she would have had to pay had
8    he or she brought a separate action for the relief sought
9    in the counterclaim or against the third party defendant,
10    less the amount of the appearance fee, if that has been
11    paid.
12(d) Confession of Judgment.
13        In a confession of judgment when the amount does not
14    exceed $1500, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $50. When
15    the amount exceeds $1500, but does not exceed $15,000, a
16    minimum of $40 and a maximum of $115. When the amount
17    exceeds $15,000, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $200.
18(e) Appearance.
19        The fee for filing an appearance in each civil case
20    shall be a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60, except as
21    follows:
22            (A) When the plaintiff in a forcible entry and
23        detainer case seeks possession only, a minimum of $10
24        and a maximum of $50.
25            (B) When the amount in the case does not exceed
26        $1500, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $30.

 

 

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1            (C) When that amount exceeds $1500 but does not
2        exceed $15,000, a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60.
3(f) Garnishment, Wage Deduction, and Citation.
4        In garnishment affidavit, wage deduction affidavit,
5    and citation petition when the amount does not exceed
6    $1,000, a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15; when the
7    amount exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000, a minimum
8    of $5 and a maximum of $30; and when the amount exceeds
9    $5,000, a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $50.
10(g) Petition to Vacate or Modify.
11        (1) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or
12    order of court, except in forcible entry and detainer cases
13    and small claims cases or a petition to reopen an estate,
14    to modify, terminate, or enforce a judgment or order for
15    child or spousal support, or to modify, suspend, or
16    terminate an order for withholding, if filed before 30 days
17    after the entry of the judgment or order, a minimum of $20
18    and a maximum of $50.
19        (2) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or
20    order of court, except a petition to modify, terminate, or
21    enforce a judgment or order for child or spousal support or
22    to modify, suspend, or terminate an order for withholding,
23    if filed later than 30 days after the entry of the judgment
24    or order, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $75.
25        (3) Petition to vacate order of bond forfeiture, a
26    minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40.

 

 

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1(h) Mailing.
2        When the clerk is required to mail, the fee will be a
3    minimum of $2 and a maximum of $10, plus the cost of
4    postage.
5(i) Certified Copies.
6        Each certified copy of a judgment after the first,
7    except in small claims and forcible entry and detainer
8    cases, a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $10.
9(j) Habeas Corpus.
10        For filing a petition for relief by habeas corpus, a
11    minimum of $60 and a maximum of $100.
12(k) Certification, Authentication, and Reproduction.
13        (1) Each certification or authentication for taking
14    the acknowledgment of a deed or other instrument in writing
15    with the seal of office, a minimum of $2 and a maximum of
16    $6.
17        (2) Court appeals when original documents are
18    forwarded, under 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a
19    minimum of $20 and a maximum of $60.
20        (3) Court appeals when original documents are
21    forwarded, over 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a
22    minimum of $50 and a maximum of $150.
23        (4) Court appeals when original documents are
24    forwarded, over 200 pages, an additional fee of a minimum
25    of 20 cents and a maximum of 25 cents per page.
26        (5) For reproduction of any document contained in the

 

 

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1    clerk's files:
2            (A) First page, a minimum of $1 and a maximum of
3        $2.
4            (B) Next 19 pages, 50 cents per page.
5            (C) All remaining pages, 25 cents per page.
6(l) Remands.
7        In any cases remanded to the Circuit Court from the
8    Supreme Court or the Appellate Court for a new trial, the
9    clerk shall file the remanding order and reinstate the case
10    with either its original number or a new number. The Clerk
11    shall not charge any new or additional fee for the
12    reinstatement. Upon reinstatement the Clerk shall advise
13    the parties of the reinstatement. A party shall have the
14    same right to a jury trial on remand and reinstatement as
15    he or she had before the appeal, and no additional or new
16    fee or charge shall be made for a jury trial after remand.
17(m) Record Search.
18        For each record search, within a division or municipal
19    district, the clerk shall be entitled to a search fee of a
20    minimum of $4 and a maximum of $6 for each year searched.
21(n) Hard Copy.
22        For each page of hard copy print output, when case
23    records are maintained on an automated medium, the clerk
24    shall be entitled to a fee of a minimum of $4 and a maximum
25    of $6.
26(o) Index Inquiry and Other Records.

 

 

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1        No fee shall be charged for a single
2    plaintiff/defendant index inquiry or single case record
3    inquiry when this request is made in person and the records
4    are maintained in a current automated medium, and when no
5    hard copy print output is requested. The fees to be charged
6    for management records, multiple case records, and
7    multiple journal records may be specified by the Chief
8    Judge pursuant to the guidelines for access and
9    dissemination of information approved by the Supreme
10    Court.
11(p) (Blank).
12(q) Alias Summons.
13        For each alias summons or citation issued by the clerk,
14    a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $5.
15(r) Other Fees.
16        Any fees not covered in this Section shall be set by
17    rule or administrative order of the Circuit Court with the
18    approval of the Administrative Office of the Illinois
19    Courts.
20        The clerk of the circuit court may provide additional
21    services for which there is no fee specified by statute in
22    connection with the operation of the clerk's office as may
23    be requested by the public and agreed to by the clerk and
24    approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Any
25    charges for additional services shall be as agreed to
26    between the clerk and the party making the request and

 

 

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1    approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Nothing
2    in this subsection shall be construed to require any clerk
3    to provide any service not otherwise required by law.
4(s) Jury Services.
5        The clerk shall be entitled to receive, in addition to
6    other fees allowed by law, the sum of a minimum of $62.50
7    and a maximum of $212.50, as a fee for the services of a
8    jury in every civil action not quasi-criminal in its nature
9    and not a proceeding for the exercise of the right of
10    eminent domain and in every other action wherein the right
11    of trial by jury is or may be given by law. The jury fee
12    shall be paid by the party demanding a jury at the time of
13    filing the jury demand. If the fee is not paid by either
14    party, no jury shall be called in the action or proceeding,
15    and the same shall be tried by the court without a jury.
16(t) Voluntary Assignment.
17        For filing each deed of voluntary assignment, a minimum
18    of $10 and a maximum of $20; for recording the same, a
19    minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of 50 cents for each 100
20    words. Exceptions filed to claims presented to an assignee
21    of a debtor who has made a voluntary assignment for the
22    benefit of creditors shall be considered and treated, for
23    the purpose of taxing costs therein, as actions in which
24    the party or parties filing the exceptions shall be
25    considered as party or parties plaintiff, and the claimant
26    or claimants as party or parties defendant, and those

 

 

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1    parties respectively shall pay to the clerk the same fees
2    as provided by this Section to be paid in other actions.
3(u) Expungement Petition.
4        The clerk shall be entitled to receive a fee of a
5    minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60 for each expungement
6    petition filed and an additional fee of a minimum of $2 and
7    a maximum of $4 for each certified copy of an order to
8    expunge arrest records.
9(v) Probate.
10        The clerk is entitled to receive the fees specified in
11    this subsection (v), which shall be paid in advance, except
12    that, for good cause shown, the court may suspend, reduce,
13    or release the costs payable under this subsection:
14        (1) For administration of the estate of a decedent
15    (whether testate or intestate) or of a missing person, a
16    minimum of $50 and a maximum of $150, plus the fees
17    specified in subsection (v)(3), except:
18            (A) When the value of the real and personal
19        property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a
20        minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.
21            (B) When (i) proof of heirship alone is made, (ii)
22        a domestic or foreign will is admitted to probate
23        without administration (including proof of heirship),
24        or (iii) letters of office are issued for a particular
25        purpose without administration of the estate, the fee
26        shall be a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40.

 

 

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1            (C) For filing a petition to sell Real Estate, $50.
2        (2) For administration of the estate of a ward, a
3    minimum of $50 and a maximum of $75, plus the fees
4    specified in subsection (v)(3), except:
5            (A) When the value of the real and personal
6        property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a
7        minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.
8            (B) When (i) letters of office are issued to a
9        guardian of the person or persons, but not of the
10        estate or (ii) letters of office are issued in the
11        estate of a ward without administration of the estate,
12        including filing or joining in the filing of a tax
13        return or releasing a mortgage or consenting to the
14        marriage of the ward, the fee shall be a minimum of $10
15        and a maximum of $20.
16            (C) For filing a Petition to sell Real Estate, $50.
17        (3) In addition to the fees payable under subsection
18    (v)(1) or (v)(2) of this Section, the following fees are
19    payable:
20            (A) For each account (other than one final account)
21        filed in the estate of a decedent, or ward, a minimum
22        of $10 and a maximum of $25.
23            (B) For filing a claim in an estate when the amount
24        claimed is $150 or more but less than $500, a minimum
25        of $10 and a maximum of $25; when the amount claimed is
26        $500 or more but less than $10,000, a minimum of $10

 

 

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1        and a maximum of $40; when the amount claimed is
2        $10,000 or more, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $60;
3        provided that the court in allowing a claim may add to
4        the amount allowed the filing fee paid by the claimant.
5            (C) For filing in an estate a claim, petition, or
6        supplemental proceeding based upon an action seeking
7        equitable relief including the construction or contest
8        of a will, enforcement of a contract to make a will,
9        and proceedings involving testamentary trusts or the
10        appointment of testamentary trustees, a minimum of $40
11        and a maximum of $60.
12            (D) For filing in an estate (i) the appearance of
13        any person for the purpose of consent or (ii) the
14        appearance of an executor, administrator,
15        administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem,
16        or special administrator, no fee.
17            (E) Except as provided in subsection (v)(3)(D),
18        for filing the appearance of any person or persons, a
19        minimum of $10 and a maximum of $30.
20            (F) For each jury demand, a minimum of $62.50 and a
21        maximum of $137.50.
22            (G) For disposition of the collection of a judgment
23        or settlement of an action or claim for wrongful death
24        of a decedent or of any cause of action of a ward, when
25        there is no other administration of the estate, a
26        minimum of $30 and a maximum of $50, less any amount

 

 

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1        paid under subsection (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B) except
2        that if the amount involved does not exceed $5,000, the
3        fee, including any amount paid under subsection
4        (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B), shall be a minimum of $10 and a
5        maximum of $20.
6            (H) For each certified copy of letters of office,
7        of court order or other certification, a minimum of $1
8        and a maximum of $2, plus a minimum of 50 cents and a
9        maximum of $1 per page in excess of 3 pages for the
10        document certified.
11            (I) For each exemplification, a minimum of $1 and a
12        maximum of $2, plus the fee for certification.
13        (4) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner,
14    or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay
15    the cost of publication by the clerk directly to the
16    newspaper.
17        (5) The person on whose behalf a charge is incurred for
18    witness, court reporter, appraiser, or other miscellaneous
19    fee shall pay the same directly to the person entitled
20    thereto.
21        (6) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner,
22    or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay
23    to the clerk all postage charges incurred by the clerk in
24    mailing petitions, orders, notices, or other documents
25    pursuant to the provisions of the Probate Act of 1975.
26(w) Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Costs and Fees.

 

 

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1        (1) The clerk shall be entitled to costs in all
2    criminal and quasi-criminal cases from each person
3    convicted or sentenced to supervision therein as follows:
4            (A) Felony complaints, a minimum of $40 and a
5        maximum of $100.
6            (B) Misdemeanor complaints, a minimum of $25 and a
7        maximum of $75.
8            (C) Business offense complaints, a minimum of $25
9        and a maximum of $75.
10            (D) Petty offense complaints, a minimum of $25 and
11        a maximum of $75.
12            (E) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $10.
13            (F) When court appearance required, $15.
14            (G) Motions to vacate or amend final orders, a
15        minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.
16            (H) Motions to vacate bond forfeiture orders, a
17        minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.
18            (I) Motions to vacate ex parte judgments, whenever
19        filed, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.
20            (J) Motions to vacate judgment on forfeitures,
21        whenever filed, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.
22            (K) Motions to vacate "failure to appear" or
23        "failure to comply" notices sent to the Secretary of
24        State, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.
25        (2) In counties having a population of not more than
26    500,000 inhabitants, when the violation complaint is

 

 

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1    issued by a municipal police department, the clerk shall be
2    entitled to costs from each person convicted therein as
3    follows:
4            (A) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $10.
5            (B) When court appearance required, $15.
6        (3) In ordinance violation cases punishable by fine
7    only, the clerk of the circuit court shall be entitled to
8    receive, unless the fee is excused upon a finding by the
9    court that the defendant is indigent, in addition to other
10    fees or costs allowed or imposed by law, the sum of a
11    minimum of $62.50 and a maximum of $137.50 as a fee for the
12    services of a jury. The jury fee shall be paid by the
13    defendant at the time of filing his or her jury demand. If
14    the fee is not so paid by the defendant, no jury shall be
15    called, and the case shall be tried by the court without a
16    jury.
17(x) Transcripts of Judgment.
18        For the filing of a transcript of judgment, the clerk
19    shall be entitled to the same fee as if it were the
20    commencement of a new suit.
21(y) Change of Venue.
22        (1) For the filing of a change of case on a change of
23    venue, the clerk shall be entitled to the same fee as if it
24    were the commencement of a new suit.
25        (2) The fee for the preparation and certification of a
26    record on a change of venue to another jurisdiction, when

 

 

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1    original documents are forwarded, a minimum of $10 and a
2    maximum of $40.
3(z) Tax objection complaints.
4        For each tax objection complaint containing one or more
5    tax objections, regardless of the number of parcels
6    involved or the number of taxpayers joining on the
7    complaint, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50.
8(aa) Tax Deeds.
9        (1) Petition for tax deed, if only one parcel is
10    involved, a minimum of $45 and a maximum of $200.
11        (2) For each additional parcel, add a fee of a minimum
12    of $10 and a maximum of $60.
13(bb) Collections.
14        (1) For all collections made of others, except the
15    State and county and except in maintenance or child support
16    cases, a sum equal to a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 2.5%
17    of the amount collected and turned over.
18        (2) Interest earned on any funds held by the clerk
19    shall be turned over to the county general fund as an
20    earning of the office.
21        (3) For any check, draft, or other bank instrument
22    returned to the clerk for non-sufficient funds, account
23    closed, or payment stopped, $25.
24        (4) In child support and maintenance cases, the clerk,
25    if authorized by an ordinance of the county board, may
26    collect an annual fee of up to $36 from the person making

 

 

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

 

 

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1        (1) The fee requirements of this Section shall not
2    apply to police departments or other law enforcement
3    agencies. In this Section, "law enforcement agency" means
4    an agency of the State or a unit of local government which
5    is vested by law or ordinance with the duty to maintain
6    public order and to enforce criminal laws or ordinances.
7    "Law enforcement agency" also means the Attorney General or
8    any state's attorney.
9        (2) No fee provided herein shall be charged to any unit
10    of local government or school district.
11        (3) The fee requirements of this Section shall not
12    apply to any action instituted under subsection (b) of
13    Section 11-31-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code by a private
14    owner or tenant of real property within 1200 feet of a
15    dangerous or unsafe building seeking an order compelling
16    the owner or owners of the building to take any of the
17    actions authorized under that subsection.
18        (4) The fee requirements of this Section shall not
19    apply to the filing of any commitment petition or petition
20    for an order authorizing the administration of
21    psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy under
22    the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.
23(ee) Adoptions.
24        (1) For an adoption...............................$65
25        (2) Upon good cause shown, the court may waive the
26    adoption filing fee in a special needs adoption. The term

 

 

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1    "special needs adoption" shall have the meaning ascribed to
2    it by the Illinois Department of Children and Family
3    Services.
4(ff) Adoption exemptions.
5        No fee other than that set forth in subsection (ee)
6    shall be charged to any person in connection with an
7    adoption proceeding nor may any fee be charged for
8    proceedings for the appointment of a confidential
9    intermediary under the Adoption Act.
10(Source: P.A. 95-172, eff. 8-14-07; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)