US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – Chicago, IL

US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Federal Judicial Center

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is one of the busiest federal trial courts in the nation, serving the residents of Chicago and the surrounding region. Located in the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, this institution handles a wide range of federal cases, including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, and bankruptcy proceedings. The court is dedicated to the administration of justice under the Constitution and laws of the United States. 🇺🇸

Court Functions and Services

• Adjudication of federal civil and criminal cases
• Jury services for grand and petit jurors
• Naturalization ceremonies and citizenship administration
• Public access to court records and electronic filing (CM/ECF)
• Collection of criminal debts and restitution payments

Important Information

Visitors to the Dirksen Building must pass through strict security screening. Electronic devices, including cell phones, may be restricted or required to be on silent mode depending on the specific judge’s standing order, though general building access often permits them. The court provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities and offers various resources for pro se litigants.