Important Information Regarding E-Filing Integration

We are pleased to announce that the Circuit Clerk’s Office records management system and the State’s e-filing solution will be integrated as of Sunday, July 22, 2018. The Circuit Clerk’s office began accepting electronic filing submissions as of January 1, 2018, pursuant to the State of Illinois e-filing mandate and has since been working with the State's electronic filing manager (EFM), eFileIL, on integrating the two systems.

What is integration?

Integration is linking different computer systems and/or applications to function together and share information. The Circuit Clerk’s Office records management system and the State’s e-filing system are not currently linked directly together, and information is being passed between the two systems through a manual process. With an integrated e-filing system, there will be a reduction in the manual process for both the filer and clerk’s office, which means faster, more accurate data sharing and response times.

How will integration effect filers?

For the most part filers will not be impacted, however there are two issues that users should be aware of when electronically filing into an existing case that was filed prior to integration:

#1 The case links and option to file into a case from the account’s filing history will no longer work for cases and filed prior to integration. Filers must file into an existing case using the “File into Existing Case” button.

#2 Service contacts previously added and linked to a case filed prior to integration, will need to be linked to the case data pulled from the Circuit Clerk’s Office newly integrated records management system.

Important Things to Remember:

• The system now should recognize all civil case numbers and party names when searched, however case numbers must be entered in the proper case number format for the system to recognize the case.
• If you are filing into an existing case, you will not be able to file into a case from your filing history screen on cases filed prior to July 22, 2018. You must use the “File into Existing Case” option or button and search for the case number.
• Your service contacts previously linked to a case filed prior to integration, will need to be linked to the case again when you are filing. See "How to Add Service Contacts in Odyssey" for more information.
• For more information or assistance with e-filing please contact our e-filing help desk at 847-377-3368.