The Daley Center is the main courthouse in Cook County; it is also the courthouse for the county’s first district. Most civil and traffic cases take place inside, along with many other lawsuits. There are 5 other districts in Cook County, each with their own courthouse. Courthouses are located in the following locations: Skokie (2nd District), Rolling Meadows (3rd District), Maywood (4th District), Bridgeview (5th District), and Markham (6th District). If you live in the suburbs, your case may be heard in your local district court, but many claims are still heard at the Daley Center, particularly most involving more than $100,000. Website design By BotEap.comIt is best to hire an attorney who has experience with your specific legal issue and who is familiar with the court where your case was filed. In addition to understanding your case, this type of attorney may know some of the judges and attorneys he will have to deal with during your lawsuit. This attorney will be better equipped to present your case in a way that gives you the best chance of winning. Website design By BotEap.compayment
Lawyers in Cook County vary widely in the amount and types of fees they charge for their services. Some attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not have to pay the attorney any fees unless he or she obtains financial compensation or a settlement for you. The attorney will then earn a percentage of the monetary amount, often 30%. However, certain areas of the law are not allowed to be taken on a contingency basis, such as criminal and divorce cases. The attorneys who work on these cases will likely charge an retainer, which is the fee to officially hire the attorney. You will most likely also pay an hourly rate for the time the attorney spends working on your case, although you can sometimes negotiate to pay a flat rate for all legal work up front. The amount of the retainer and the hourly rate will depend on the law firm the lawyer works for and the type of case they have. Website design By BotEap.compersonal injuries
Most lawsuits that arise from accidents, such as car accidents or slip and fall cases, are personal injury lawsuits. These cases are also known as incorrect cases. Tort cases are assigned to two divisions in Cook County, the legal division and the civil division. Tort cases over $30,000 are assigned to the Law Division and are generally heard at the Daley Center, although smaller cases may be heard in suburban district courts. Minor cases are assigned to the Civil Division. These smaller cases usually end up in arbitration where the parties try to come to an agreement that works for both parties. Website design By BotEap.comOffender
In criminal cases, you will always oppose the government on your case, and you can face jail time if you lose. Criminal cases are heard in all 6 Cook County District Courts and also in additional Cook County Courts. For example, most felony cases (such as murder or weapons charges) occur in the courthouse located at 26th Street and California. These cases are the most serious and the ones most likely to end up in jail. Minor criminal charges are usually pursued in the nearest district court. As with all areas of practice, it is very important to hire an attorney who has won cases related to the same crime you are charged with in Cook County to try to avoid penalties. Website design By BotEap.comMedical negligence
Almost all medical malpractice cases in Cook County are filed at the Daley Center. As a result, most Cook County medical malpractice attorneys are located in Chicago, but will work with people from all over Illinois. Website design By BotEap.comworker’s compensation
All workers’ compensation claims are heard by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, which is located in the Thompson Center. The Thompson Center is located in downtown Chicago, near the Daley Center. This is true if you are injured on the job in Cook County, or if you are injured working outside of Cook County, but your business is based here or you were hired here. Again, most of the attorneys in this area practice outside of Chicago due to its proximity to the Thompson Center, but they will work with any client that needs their services. Website design By BotEap.comDivorce and Family Law
Divorce cases can be heard in courthouses in Chicago, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Markham, and Maywood. However, the Daley Center is the main divorce court and hears most cases. The location of the divorce proceeding is determined by the person originally filing the case; however, the other party may request that the case be transferred to another court. Divorce and family law attorneys are located throughout Cook County. Website design By BotEap.comProbate
All Cook County probate (wills, trusts, and estate matters) are heard at the Daley Center, this includes people who were Cook County residents when they died, even if their family members do not live in the area. Many Cook County probate attorneys are located in Chicago, but some will practice outside of the suburbs, traveling to the Daley Center when needed.