Illinois Small Claims Court Zoom and Remote Hearing Guide

Remote Hearings Are Standard in Many Counties

Supreme Court Rule 45 sets the statewide baseline for remote court appearances. In civil proceedings, including small claims, participants generally may appear remotely without advance approval, except at evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials, which require the judge's approval. A circuit may exempt proceedings by local rule, and a judge may require in-person attendance for a case-specific reason. When remote participation is available, the summons or notice must explain how to appear remotely and in person.

Non-evidentiary return dates and status hearings generally allow remote participation without advance approval. Evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the judge's approval for remote participation; a local rule may exempt a proceeding. For example, McLean County has used Zoom for non-eviction small claims initial appearances under a local administrative order. Cook County's suburban districts use Zoom for some return dockets. Check the local rule, summons, or notice for your case.

How to Find Your Hearing Format

Don't assume. The summons you received may or may not specify whether the return date is in-person or remote. Check the following:

Your county's Circuit Court website. Most counties post administrative orders or a small claims FAQ stating which hearings are remote. Look for a "self-represented litigants" or "court information" page.

The Clerk's office. Call the Circuit Court Clerk in your county and ask whether your specific return date is remote or in-person. Have your case number ready.

eFileIL. If you're filing your appearance electronically, the system may display the hearing format and Zoom link in the case details.

If you can't determine the format, contact the Clerk or follow the instructions on your summons or notice. Missing a hearing can result in a default judgment.

Preparing for a Zoom Hearing

Technology check. Test your setup the day before. Make sure your camera and microphone work. Use a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone if possible — the larger screen makes it easier to reference your documents and the judge can see you clearly.

Your display name. Set your Zoom screen name to your full legal name as it appears in the case caption. Courts use this to identify parties in the waiting room. If your name shows up as "John's iPhone" or a nickname, the clerk may not admit you.

Background and lighting. Find a quiet room with good lighting. Face a window or lamp so your face is lit, not silhouetted. A plain background signals seriousness.

Dress and behavior. Treat it like an in-person court appearance. Business casual is fine — no need for a suit, but no pajamas. Sit at a table, not on a couch.

Mute until called. Join the waiting room a few minutes early. When admitted, stay muted until the judge addresses you. Unmute only when speaking, and mute again when you're done.

Presenting Evidence During a Remote Hearing

This is where Zoom hearings get tricky. You can't hand the judge a stack of papers through a screen.

Screen sharing. Some judges allow you to share your screen to display documents. Have your exhibits open as PDFs, organized by exhibit label, before the hearing starts. Ask the judge for permission before sharing.

Pre-filing exhibits. In some counties, you can upload exhibits through eFileIL before the hearing date. Check your local rules — this is the most reliable method because the judge has the documents in hand.

Physical mail. If the hearing is a contested trial conducted on Zoom (less common), the court may instruct you to mail three copies of your exhibits to the courthouse before the hearing date.

Ask the Clerk's office in advance how your county handles evidence in remote proceedings. Each circuit has its own protocol.

What You Cannot Do During a Remote Hearing

Supreme Court Rule 44(c) prohibits recording remote court proceedings unless the court directs otherwise or the proceeding has authorized extended media coverage. Do not screen-record, take smartphone video, or make an external audio recording without court authorization.

You also cannot have another person coach you off-camera during the hearing. The judge may ask you to pan your camera to show you're alone, and testimony must be your own.

When In-Person Is Required

Evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and bench or jury trials require the judge's approval for remote participation under Rule 45, and a local rule may exempt a proceeding. The judge will set the format and may require in-person attendance for a case-specific reason. If you need to appear remotely, ask the court for approval and follow the applicable local procedure.

For a structured guide to preparing for your hearing — whether Zoom or in-person — the Illinois Small Claims Response Guide includes a hearing preparation outline covering both formats.

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