The Illinois Supreme Court has adopted amendments to Supreme Court Rule 10-101, Standardized Court Forms, effective October 15, 2026. The amendments clarify requirements for the use, acceptance, and modification of statewide standardized court forms, providing guidance to promote consistency across Illinois courts and improve access to justice.
Key changes include:
- Acceptance of older versions of forms: Circuit clerks and courts may not reject a statewide standardized court form solely because it is not the most current version. However, a judge may require a more recent version, if necessary, for legal sufficiency.
- Clarification of permitted modifications:
Anyone may add information to statewide forms, including handwritten or typed additions and strikethroughs, as long as the underlying form is not digitally altered. Prohibited modifications include electronically changing the form’s text or layout or removing or altering portions of the form in a way that is not apparent on the form.
- Mandatory-use forms: The amendments clarify that statewide standardized court forms are generally optional unless their use is specifically required by statute or Supreme Court Rule.
- Availability of current forms: Clerks and courts must make the most current versions of statewide standardized forms available to the public. Courts are encouraged to link directly to the Illinois Courts forms landing page at ilcourts.info/forms to help users access current versions. The revised Committee Comment also provides a link to the list of currently published statewide standardized court forms, including those designated for mandatory use, at ilcourts.info/current-forms.
- Providing forms to court users: The revised Committee Comment references the existing Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Assistance to Court Users by Circuit Clerks, Court Staff, Law Librarians, and Court Volunteers, which states that clerks and court staff may help users identify standardized forms and instructions based on a user’s description of their legal issue, even when they do not ask for a form by name. Providing forms does not constitute legal advice or the unauthorized practice of law.
The amendments also clarify that Rule 10-101 applies to statewide standardized forms and related materials, including additional forms, instructions, and informational resources developed or provided by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.
These amendments provide clearer guidance for courts, court staff, and court users, helping address common questions and challenges surrounding statewide standardized court forms.