Electronic Filing
in the
U.S. District Court
Northern District of Illinois
Quick Reference Guide
Revised July 2022
Document Format
CM/ECF will only accept documents in Portable Document Format (PDF). Documents may be
printed, published or scanned to PDF format.
Document Size
Documents filed electronically are limited to 35 megabytes (MB) in size. This applies to each
individual component of an electronic filing, not to the entire filing. For example, if you are
filing a motion with several exhibits, the motion and each exhibit can be up to 35 MB in size.
File the motion as the main document; file exhibit as attachments.
We encourage you to combine exhibits into a single attachment if the combined exhibits do not
exceed 35 MB in size. Combined exhibits must be labeled, e.g., Exhibits A through D.
Filing Sealed Documents in Sealed and Unsealed Cases
• Pro se litigants must file sealed cases and/or sealed documents in paper format.
• Attorneys must file sealed cases in paper format.
✓ If an entire case is sealed, the attorney must file sealed documents in paper format.
✓ The attorneys are not able to seal cases but may seal pleadings.
Electronic Signatures
Electronically filed documents must include a signature block. The name of the filing user under
whose login and password the document is submitted must be preceded by an /s/ and typed in the
space where the signature would otherwise appear.
Example: /s/Ted Newman
Attorneys R Us
111 South First Street
Anytown, Illinois 11111
(555) 555-5555
General Order for Signatures in Electronic Case Filing
The requirements for signing a document that you are filing electronically are set out in Section
IX(A) of the General Order on Electronic Case Filing provides as follows: “Electronically filed
documents must include a signature block and must set forth the name, address, telephone number
and the attorney's bar registration number, if applicable. In addition, the name of the e- filer under
whose login and password the document is submitted must be preceded by an /s/ and typed in the
space where the signature would otherwise appear.”
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Checklist for Electronically Filing a Document
The attorney logged into CM/ECF must be same attorney whose name appears on the
signature line. Your account login and password identify you as a specific attorney;
therefore, you may not share your CM/ECF with another attorney.
Verify that the correct event listed at the beginning of the docket text matches the type of
pleading you are filing. If incorrect, click SEARCH, type the name of your pleading,
click SEARCH again and redo your filing.
Verify that the case number listed is correct.
If filing a motion for leave to file a document, file the subject document as an attachment
to the motion. Label the subject document appropriately.
If filing a notice of motion be sure to link the motion to the notice at the calendar screen.
Contact the Help Desk at 312-435-5699 if you believe you have made an e-filing error.
Avoid Common e-Filing Errors
Incorrect Event
The event listed at the beginning of the docket text must match the type of pleading. If
incorrect, click SEARCH, type the name of your pleading, click SEARCH again and redo
your filing.
Incorrect or no electronic signature
The attorney logged into CM/ECF must be same attorney whose name appears on the
signature line. The electronic signature, typed at the signature line of the document, consists
of the characters /s/ and the attorney’s name typed out. For example, /s/Ted Newman is a
properly formatted electronic signature. Staff who support multiple attorneys should verify
the name of the attorney when logging in and on the final docket text screen.
No motion linked to the Notice of motion
Verify that you have linked (checked the box) the motion being noticed to the Notice of
Motion.
Please contact the Help Desk at 312-435-5699 for assistance if you
believe you have made an error.
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How do attorneys register for a CM/ECF Account?
CM/ECF accounts are provided to attorneys who are members of the ILND bar, attorneys who
are appearing pro hac vice, attorneys who has an appearance on file in a multi-district litigation
case that was transferred to this district or are attorneys representing the United States in their
official capacity. Click HERE if you meet one or more of these criteria.
How do pro se litigants register for a CM/ECF Account?
Pro se litigants may be granted an e-filing account provided that the pro se litigant is: NOT a
restricted filer in this Court; has a civil case in this Court where they are listed as a party; and
successfully completes the online e-filing training program offered by the Clerk’s Office; and
submits an e-filing application subsequent to training. Pro se litigants are not permitted to e-
file cases.
Can my firm have a single CM/ECF account, or do I have to have my own account?
Each attorney must have his or her own CM/ECF account. Your account login and password
identify you as a specific attorney; therefore, you may not share your CM/ECF with another
attorney.
I submitted a completed registration form, but I have not yet received my login and
password. How can I check on the status of my account?
If more than five days have passed since you submitted your registration form, you can check on
the status of your account by emailing
[email protected] .
Can the general public view CM/ECF cases and documents in the Clerk’s Office?
Yes. Terminals providing public access to case data in CM/ECF without the need to have a
PACER login and password are available in the Clerk’s Office, located in Chicago on the 20th
floor of the Dirksen Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn. Public terminals are available in the
Clerk’s Office in the Rockford, Illinois courthouse located at 327 South Church Street. The
Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., except
for legal holidays.
Can any member of the public use CM/ECF to file documents with the court?
No. Access to the filing portion of CM/ECF is available to authorized case participants only.
How can I get training in how to file electronically?
Free self-directed online training is available. Training classes are open to everyone. Click
HERE for additional information and to request online training.
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Do I need both a PACER account and a CM/ECF account to be an e-filer?
Yes, you need both a CM/ECF account and a PACER account. The PACER account gives you
the ability to read case dockets and view electronic images of documents. Your CM/ECF account
allows you to electronically file a document with the Court. Once you have both accounts, you
must link your CM/ECF account to your PACER account.
What is the difference between a PACER account and a CM/ECF Account?
The PACER account gives you the ability to read case dockets and view electronic images of
documents. Your CM/ECF account allows you to electronically file a document with the Court.
How can I get a PACER account?
Call the PACER Service Center toll free at 1-800-676-6856 or go to the PACER Service Center's
website at https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf and complete the online form.
My law firm has a single PACER account. Can I use that, or do I need my own PACER
account?
Every attorney needs an individual PACER account.
What constitutes a page in CM/ECF for PACER billing purposes?
Billable pages are calculated in two ways in CM/ECF. PACER uses a formula to determine the
number of pages for an HTML formatted report. Any information extracted from the CM/ECF
database, such as the data used to create a docket sheet, is billed using a formula based on the
number of bytes extracted. For a PDF document, the actual number of pages determines the
number of billable pages. For report data retrieved from the CM/ECF system that is printed, the
print job will not always match the number of pages billed. The number of pages printed is
dependent on individual printer and browser settings. All users are charged equally for the same
information regardless of the browser settings or printer configurations. A transaction receipt and
the Review Billing History option are provided under Utilities for reviewing charges. Also,
Review Transaction History is available on the PACER Service Center site in Account
Information for reviewing transactions from all courts. The transactions are updated on the
PACER Web Site by the middle of each month.
Can the general public view CM/ECF cases and the documents in those cases using the
Internet?
The public can access case data in CM/ECF unless it has been sealed by the court. To have
access to case dockets and electronic documents using the Internet, you must have an account in
the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
What are the rules and procedures regarding filing electronically?
Please refer to General Order on Electronic Case Filing.
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I noticed that I made a mistake in the electronic filing. What do I do?
If you believe that you have made an e-filing error that needs to be corrected, contact the Help
Desk at 312-435-5699.
How do I add a signature to a document I am filing electronically?
The requirements for signing a document that you are filing electronically are set out in Section
IX(A) of the General Order on Electronic Case Filing provides as follows: “Electronically filed
documents must include a signature block and must set forth the name, address, telephone
number and the attorney's bar registration number, if applicable. In addition, the name of the e-
filer under whose login and password the document is submitted must be preceded by an /s/ and
typed in the space where the signature would otherwise appear.”
Does a certificate of service need to be included with documents filed electronically?
Section X (E) of the General Order on Electronic Case Filing states that “Where service is made
as to any party who is not an E-Filer or is represented by an E-Filer, a certificate or affidavit of
service must be included with all documents filed electronically. Such certificate or affidavit
shall comply with LR 5.5 Such certificate or affidavit is not required as to any party who is an E-
filer or is represented by an E-filer.”
How many times will I be able to view my case documents as an attorney of record?
If you are an attorney of record in a case, you will not be charged the first time you view a
document. However, the next time you view the same document, you will be charged
by PACER.
Can I combine a motion and a notice of motion in a single electronic filing?
No. The motion and the notice of motion must be filed separately. In addition, the motion must
be filed before the notice of motion.
What kind of notification does the attorney of record receive on a case?
All registered CM/ECF e-filers will receive an email notification of all filings, which includes a
hyperlink to the document. Participants who are not registered users must be mailed a copy of
the filing by the attorney filing electronically.
An attorney in our office is out of town. He has asked us to file a motion for him in his
absence, on behalf of his client. Can I file this document electronically?
On the motion itself, sign the document with your name, on behalf of the absent attorney, i.e., /s/
John Worker on behalf of John P. Vacationer. When you electronically file the motion in
CM/ECF, you will see the following on your screen: “The following attorney/party associations
do not exist for this case. Please check which associations should be created for this case: John
Doe, (pty:pla) represented by John Worker (aty)”. Do not check this box; doing so adds you as
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an attorney on the case. The docket text will read that the document was filed by Attorney John
Worker on behalf of Susie Client. Under no circumstances should this practice be used when
filing an initial appearance.
Are there fees associated with e-filing?
There are no fees to file electronically. For viewing documents in cases, you get one free look at
documents that are filed in cases in which you are an attorney of record. For each subsequent
viewing, you will be required to log in to PACER and pay the fees established by PACER. We
strongly recommend that you print or save the document during the first viewing to avoid these
charges.
Can I combine separate exhibits in a single attachment?
As long as the combined exhibits do not exceed 35 MB in size, we encourage you to combine
them into a single attachment. Each exhibit must be labeled, e.g., Exhibits A through D.
How do I add counsel to a case?
To add counsel in a case, that attorney needs to electronically file an attorney appearance.
Do I have to file a paper copy of a document that I have filed electronically?
Please refer to Local Rule 5.2(e), the General Order on Electronic Case Filing, and the assigned
judge’s webpage for specific guidance.
What electronic versions of documents (images) are available?
Civil Cases
Initiating documents, e.g., complaints, and orders filed after 3/1/2000. Motions and
responsive pleadings filed after 12/01/2001. All documents, except lengthy
exhibits, filed after 10/1/2002. All documents filed after 10/26/2007.
Criminal Cases
The same criteria apply to criminal cases except that documents filed in criminal cases
may be viewed via the Internet only by case participants, i.e., attorney and defendants.
Is the system available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Yes, CM/ECF is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system may be down
temporarily on other occasions if an unplanned need for maintenance arises.
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What hardware and software do I need to use CM/ECF?
• PC or MAC
• Acrobat Reader
• Compatible browsers include:
o Microsoft Edge
o Firefox/Mozilla
o Safari version
o Google Chrome
Why is my login failing?
The system is case sensitive. If you have the CAPS lock on, your login will fail. Be sure that you
are not using your PACER login to try to access your CM/ECF account. You can also try to clear
the cache of your computer.
How large can my electronic filing be?
The General Order on Electronic Case Filing provides that an electronic filing should not exceed
35 MB in size. This applies to each individual component of an electronic filing, not to the entire
filing. In other words, if you are filing a motion with several exhibits, the motion itself and each
exhibit can each be up to 35 MB in size.
The exhibits I need to file with my main document are too large. What can I do?
Subdivide the exhibit, and label each attachment, e.g., Exhibit A, Part 1, Exhibit A, Part 2.
When I click on the document link in my email, it prompts me for a login and password.
In civil cases, the first time you click on a document link in your email the system should
display the document without requiring a login. For each subsequent viewing, you will be
required to log into PACER and the fees established by PACER. If you do not have a
PACER login and password, contact the PACER Service Center at 1-800- 676-6856 or
the PACER Service Center's website at http://www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html.
In criminal cases, the first time you click on a document link in your email the system
requires you to enter your CM/ECF login and password. Next, you need to enter your
PACER login and password. You will not be charged the first time you view a criminal
document. If you do not have a PACER login and password, contact the PACER Service
Center at 1-800- 676-6856 or the PACER Service Center's website at
http://www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html.
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For Civil Social Security cases, the first time you click on a document link in your
email, the system requires you to enter your CM/ECF login and password. Next, enter
your PACER login and password. You will not be charged the first time you view a
document. If you do not have a PACER login and password, contact the PACER Service
Center at 1-800- 676-6856 or the PACER Service Center's website at
http://www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html.
How do I change my CM/ECF password?
Please refer to the instructions available in the User Guide.
How do I add additional email addresses so someone else in my office can receive Notices of
Electronic Filing?
Please refer to the instructions available in the User Guide.
How do I know if my electronic filing was successful?
The last screen you see when you electronically file a document is a copy of the Notice of
Electronic Filing (NEF). If you see the NEF, you know that your filing was successful.
Another way to verify your filing is to view a copy of the case docket. If you do this, standard
PACER fees will be charged.
I’m not seeing the correct menu options in CM/ECF. What should I do?
Verify that you have logged into CM/ECF from the Court’s website. In most cases, users who do
not see the correct menu items have logged into PACER instead of CM/ECF.
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