In this article, our Champaign appeals attorneys discuss appealing court decisions in Illinois. In Illinois, many court decisions can be used using different methods under the law. Our attorneys discuss how to appeal a court decision, the timeline for appeals and how to appeal court decisions in Illinois courts. In Illinois, cases are initially filed and heard in the county circuit courts.  These are also known as “trial courts” because the circuit courts are the level on which each side presents evidence and jury and bench trials are held in order to make findings of fact.  

After final judgment is rendered in the trial court, or after certain types of orders have been entered by the trial court judge prior to final judgment, the parties can seek to appeal to the appellate court in order to have the circuit court’s order reversed.  

‍The appellate court will review the record of the trial court along with briefs written by both parties and decide whether to reverse the trial court’s ruling, uphold it, or order some further action by the trial court.  If the appellate court reverses or upholds the trial court ruling, the losing party can then appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.  

In this article, our Champaign appeals attorneys explain the structure of the Illinois court system.  In Illinois, cases begin in one of the County circuit courts.  Judgments from the circuit court are appealable to the Illinois appellate courts.  The Illinois Supreme Court has discretion to hear appeals from the appellate courts. If you lose your case in an appellate court after appealing from the circuit court and you do not want to concede,  you have two options:

1. File a petition for rehearing with the appellate court; or
2. File a petition for leave to appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court.  

These options are not mutually exclusive.  They can be pursued at the same time, or you can pursue a petition for rehearing with the appellate court first, and later file a petition for leave to appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court if the petition for rehearing is denied.

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In this Learn About Law article, our Champaign appeals attorneys examine Illinois child custody appeals and the laws surrounding them. We examine filing deadlines and explain what orders can be appealed and how to prepare and file appeals. Our Illinois appeals attorneys also examine the expedited process for appealing temporary child custody orders in Illinois.