Title
Ordinance amending portions of the certain civil fees in Chapter 35.15 Criminal, Traffic and Civil Fees the Lake County Code of Ordinances.
Staff Summary
Effective July 1, 2026, Public Act 104-0468 increased certain Circuit Court Clerk filing and appearance fees by $5 to support the State of Illinois’s Guardianship and Advocacy Fund.
The amendment also includes the removal of a fee for probate filings for each account (other than one final account) filed in the estate of a ward.
Body
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly enacted Public Act 104-0468 during the 104th General Assembly, and it was signed into law on June 16, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Public Act 104-0468 increased certain civil filing and appearance fees by $5, with the additional revenue remitted to the State of Illinois for the Guardianship and Advocacy Fund, requiring counties to update their Circuit Court Clerk fee schedules accordingly; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the County Board to formally amend portions of the certain civil fees in Chapter 35.15 Criminal, Traffic and Civil Fees the Lake County Code of Ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that by the County Board for the County of Lake, Illinois, that Section 35.15 of the Lake County Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and replaced with the following.
(A) Civil fees.
(1) Fees in civil matters shall be assessed and distributed as set forth
herein, in compliance with Section 27.1b of the Clerks of Courts Act, 705 ILCS 105/27.1b.
(2) The fees for filing a complaint, petition or other pleading initiating a civil action shall be as set forth in the schedules below in accordance with case categories established by the Illinois Supreme Court.
(a) SCHEDULE 1: $319 to be divided as follows:
1. $45 to be retained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and deposited as follows:
A. Court Automation Fund - $20.
B. Court Document Storage Fund - $20.
C. Circuit Court Clerk Operation and Administrative Account –
$5.
2. $24 to be ...
Click here for full text