The Lake County Court Docket is the official list of court cases, hearings, and filings kept by the Lake County Circuit Clerk in Waukegan, Illinois. The clerk office records every motion, order, and hearing date for civil, criminal, family, traffic, probate, and juvenile cases.
Anyone can look up the Lake County Court Docket online or at the courthouse using a case number, party name, or attorney bar number. The 19th Judicial Circuit Court oversees all Lake County Court Docket records and posts daily hearing calendars for the public.
Lake County Circuit Court Clerk Office
The Lake County Circuit Clerk serves as the legal keeper of every Lake County Court Docket entry. The clerk office files new cases, logs court actions, and stores sealed and public records. Erin Cartwright Weinstein holds the elected position of Clerk of the Circuit Court. The main office sits inside the Lake County Courthouse in downtown Waukegan.
| Office | Lake County Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
| Phone | 847-377-3600 |
| Clerk Direct Line | 847-377-3380, press 4 |
| Website | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The clerk office also handles passport services, election records, and county financial duties. Staff members help walk-in visitors search the Lake County Court Docket and print docket sheets for a small fee per page.
How to Search the Lake County Court Docket Online
The official portal for the Lake County Court Docket lives at lakecountycircuitclerk.org. The website hosts a free case search tool that runs on the state’s Odyssey system. Users can type a name, case number, or business name into the search bar and pull up a list of matching cases. Each result shows the case type, filing date, current judge, and the full list of docket entries.
Follow these steps to look up a Lake County Court Docket record:
- Open lakecountycircuitclerk.org in your web browser.
- Click the “Court Records” or “Case Search” link on the main menu.
- Choose a search type: name, case number, or attorney bar number.
- Type the full last name and first name, or the full case number with the year prefix.
- Press the search button and review the list of results.
- Click on a case to see the full Lake County Court Docket history.
- Print or save the docket sheet for your records.
The portal updates new docket entries within 24 hours of filing. Users do not need an account to view basic case data. Attorneys and self-represented parties must register for an e-filing account to submit new documents through the same portal.
Lake County Court Docket by Case Number
A case number acts as the fastest way to pull a single Lake County Court Docket entry. Each case receives a unique number that starts with a two-digit year, followed by a court code, and ends with a sequence of digits. For example, a 2025 civil case might read “25-SC-12345.” The search portal accepts the full number with dashes or spaces.
Knowing the exact case number removes guesswork. Results return within seconds and show every motion, ruling, and hearing date in chronological order. Litigants, attorneys, and members of the public use this method when they already have paperwork that lists the case number.
Lake County Court Docket by Name
Name searches work well when a case number is missing. Type the last name followed by a comma and the first name. The portal pulls every matching case for that person across all court divisions. Results may include civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. Users can narrow the list by selecting a date range or case type from the filter menu.
Common names return many results. Adding a middle initial or a birth year helps cut the list down. The Lake County Court Docket search tool also shows past and current aliases when a court has updated the official record.
Lake County Civil Court Docket
The Lake County civil court docket tracks lawsuits between private parties, businesses, and government agencies. Cases include breach of contract, personal injury, property disputes, debt collection, and mortgage foreclosure. The 19th Judicial Circuit assigns civil cases to judges based on the filing date and the dollar amount in question. Civil cases that seek more than $50,000 in damages stay in circuit court, while smaller civil claims move to the civil division of county court.
Each civil filing generates a docket entry. Attorneys file complaints, answers, motions, and discovery responses through the e-filing portal. The clerk logs every new document and posts it to the public docket. Pretrial conferences, status hearings, and trial dates all appear on the Lake County civil court docket with the courtroom number and judge name.
Lake County Criminal Court Docket
The Lake County criminal court docket covers felony and misdemeanor prosecutions filed by the State’s Attorney. Felonies include aggravated assault, burglary, drug trafficking, robbery, and homicide. Misdemeanors cover simple assault, petty theft, reckless driving, and other lower-level offenses. Arraignments, pretrial motions, bench trials, and jury trials all receive docket entries that the public can view online.
People charged with a crime often check the Lake County criminal court docket to find their next court date. The docket also shows bond conditions, attorney names, plea deadlines, and the assigned courtroom. Victims of crime can track the status of a case from arraignment through sentencing using the same search tool.
Lake County Misdemeanor and Felony Docket
Lake County separates misdemeanor and felony cases at the time of filing. Class A, B, and C misdemeanors stay in the criminal division of county court. Felonies of all classes move to the felony courtroom in the Lake County Courthouse. Each case receives a distinct docket sheet that records every action taken by the judge, the defense, and the prosecution.
Bond reviews, suppression hearings, plea agreements, and sentencing dates all show up on the Lake County felony docket. Defense attorneys check the docket daily for new orders. Family members of defendants use the public search to confirm upcoming court appearances.
Lake County Traffic Court Docket
The Lake County traffic court docket tracks moving violations, DUI charges, speeding tickets, and driving with a suspended license. Many traffic cases resolve without a courtroom appearance through written declarations or supervision offers. The clerk office posts all traffic hearings on the public docket, including the fine amount, court date, and outcome.
Drivers who receive a traffic ticket can search the Lake County traffic court docket by name to see the status of their case. The docket shows whether a defendant paid the fine, asked for supervision, or requested a trial. Court supervision keeps the ticket off the public driving record when the driver completes all requirements.
Lake County Family Court Docket
The Lake County family court docket covers divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and orders of protection. Family cases often involve sensitive personal details, and Illinois law limits public access to certain documents. The docket still shows case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and judge assignments.
Adoption and juvenile abuse cases stay sealed. Divorce and custody cases open most docket entries to the public. The clerk office posts family court hearing schedules in advance so parents, attorneys, and social workers can plan their calendars. The Chapter 4 rules of the 19th Judicial Circuit govern all family proceedings in Lake County.
Lake County Probate Court Docket
The Lake County probate court docket handles wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments. When a person dies with or without a will, the family files a petition to open a probate estate. The docket shows the name of the deceased, the executor, the attorney, and the deadlines for creditor claims.
Guardianship cases for minors and disabled adults also appear on the Lake County probate court docket. Mental health commitment hearings may be open or closed based on the judge’s order. The clerk office stamps every petition, order, and inventory so the public can verify the status of an estate.
Lake County Small Claims Court Docket
The Lake County small claims court docket covers private disputes seeking $10,000 or less. Common cases include unpaid rent, security deposit claims, damaged property, and consumer complaints. Small claims hearings move quickly and often finish within a single court date. The docket shows the plaintiff, defendant, claim amount, and hearing result.
Either party can appeal a small claims ruling to the circuit court. The appeal creates a new docket entry that links to the original case number. Many landlords and small business owners use the Lake County small claims docket to check on past judgments against tenants or customers.
Lake County Juvenile Court Docket
The Lake County juvenile court docket covers delinquency and truancy cases involving minors under 18. Juvenile records stay confidential under Illinois law. The public docket shows only limited details such as the court date and the initials of the minor. The full court file stays sealed and only authorized parties may view it.
Juvenile court also handles adoption, guardianship, and abuse or neglect cases. These cases carry the same confidentiality rules. Parents, guardians, and attorneys must request access through the clerk office with proper identification.
Lake County Daily Docket and Hearing Schedule
The Lake County daily docket is the list of every hearing scheduled for a particular day. The clerk office posts the daily docket by 8:00 AM on the court website. The list includes case numbers, party names, hearing type, judge, and courtroom. Each courtroom runs its own call list, and the bailiff calls cases in the order posted.
Attorneys and self-represented parties check the Lake County daily docket the night before a court appearance to confirm the time and room number. The 19th Judicial Circuit also publishes a weekly hearing calendar for long-term planning.
Lake County Court Calendar Docket
The court calendar docket shows a wider window of upcoming hearings. The clerk posts a monthly calendar that lists jury trials, bench trials, motion calls, and pretrial conferences. Users can search the calendar by judge or by case type. The Lake County court calendar docket helps attorneys manage large caseloads across multiple courtrooms.
Lake County Arraignment Docket
The Lake County arraignment docket lists the first court appearance for every criminal defendant. The arraignment is where the court reads the charges, confirms the defense attorney, and sets bond. The clerk posts the arraignment schedule every business morning. Bond review hearings may follow the arraignment within 24 hours when the defense requests a lower bond.
Lake County Preliminary Hearing Docket
The Lake County preliminary hearing docket covers felony cases that move from initial charging to a judge. The State must show probable cause at a preliminary hearing. The docket shows the witness list, the hearing date, and the assigned courtroom. Defense attorneys file motions to dismiss or suppress evidence before the preliminary hearing date.
Lake County Trial Docket
The Lake County trial docket lists every jury and bench trial set for a given month. The clerk assigns trial dates based on the age of the case and the court’s calendar. Trials can be civil, criminal, or family matters. The trial docket also shows the estimated length of the trial and any special jury instructions.
Types of Lake County Court Docket Entries
Each docket entry records a single event in a case. Common entry types include:
- Filings: complaints, petitions, motions, and briefs
- Orders: signed rulings by the judge
- Hearings: scheduled court appearances
- Judgments: final decisions in civil, criminal, or family cases
- Warrants: arrest or bench warrants issued by the judge
- Subpoenas: orders for witnesses to appear
- Exhibits: physical or documentary evidence filed with the court
Every entry includes the date, the filing party, and a short description. The clerk office stamps the entry with an official seal that proves its authenticity.
Public Access Rules for Lake County Court Docket
Illinois law makes most court records open to the public. The Lake County Court Docket follows the same rules that govern all circuit courts in the state. Confidential records stay sealed by court order. Juvenile records, adoption files, and certain family documents do not appear in public search results.
Redaction rules apply to Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical records. The clerk office removes these details before posting documents online. Sealed cases show only a case number and a “sealed” status with no party names.
Lake County E-Docket and Online Court System
The Lake County E-Docket runs on the statewide Odyssey platform. The system handles case search, e-filing, and electronic service. Attorneys must register for a username to file documents. Self-represented filers can use a simplified account with limited permissions. Payments for filing fees and certified copies go through the same portal.
The clerk office also launched DocAccess on July 8, 2026. The new tool makes 338 public documents, totaling 1,075 pages, easier to read, search, and translate online. Users can open these documents in a web browser without special software.
How to Get Certified Copies of Lake County Court Docket
Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and serve as legal proof of a court record. The Lake County Court Docket search tool allows users to mark a document for purchase. The fee starts at a few dollars per page plus a certification fee. Walk-in visitors can request certified copies at the clerk counter inside the courthouse.
Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check for the correct fee, and a written description of the records needed. The clerk office processes mail requests within 5 to 10 business days.
Expungement and Sealed Records in Lake County Court Docket
Expungement removes eligible criminal records from public view. Illinois law allows expungement for certain arrests, misdemeanor convictions, and some non-conviction cases. A successful petition seals the criminal record and removes it from the Lake County Court Docket search results.
Sealed records stay in the court system but remain hidden from public search. Law enforcement, the State’s Attorney, and the defendant can still view sealed files. The clerk office handles all expungement petitions in person or through the e-filing portal.
Zoom and Remote Hearings for Lake County Court Docket
The 19th Judicial Circuit allows remote hearings in many case types. Attorneys and self-represented parties can attend hearings by video using the court’s Zoom link. The Lake County Court Docket lists the Zoom information for each remote hearing. Participants must test their camera and microphone before the scheduled time.
Judges may require in-person attendance for trials, evidentiary hearings, and sentencings. The docket always shows the correct format for each hearing date.
Common Lake County Court Docket Search Errors
Search errors usually come from typos or wrong case number formats. The portal only accepts the full case number with the year prefix. Name searches fail when the spelling does not match the official record. Adding a date range helps narrow large result lists. The system does not return results for sealed or expunged cases.
Users who cannot find a case should call the clerk office at 847-377-3380 and press 4. Staff can confirm the correct spelling or case number during business hours.
Legal Help for Lake County Court Docket Matters
Self-represented parties can find free legal help through the 19th Judicial Circuit self-help center. The center offers forms, instructions, and limited advice for civil, family, and small claims cases. Prairie State Legal Services provides free help to low-income residents in Lake County. The Lake County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for paid consultations.
Defense attorneys who practice in the 19th Circuit can search the Lake County Court Docket to track client hearings, file motions, and prepare for trial. Prosecutors, public defenders, and private attorneys all rely on the same online system for daily case management.
Recent Updates for Lake County Court Docket in 2026
The Lake County Circuit Clerk released several new tools in 2026. DocAccess launched on July 8, 2026, making 338 public documents available in a more readable online format. The new system supports search, translation, and mobile access. The clerk office also updated the e-filing portal to speed up document review and lower processing times for attorneys.
The 19th Judicial Circuit updated Chapter 4 rules for family and adoption cases in June 2026. The new rules govern filing deadlines, service of process, and remote hearing procedures. Litigants should review the updated rules before filing new family cases.
Nearby Resources and Courthouses
Lake County borders McHenry, Cook, DuPage, and Kenosha counties. Each neighboring county keeps its own court docket records. The Cook County Circuit Clerk hosts a separate online portal. The McHenry County Courthouse sits in Woodstock. The DuPage County Courthouse runs in Wheaton. The Kenosha County Courthouse operates in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Contact Details for Lake County Court Docket
Website: lakecountycircuitclerk.org
Phone: 847-377-3600
Clerk Direct Line: 847-377-3380, press 4
Address: 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lake County Court Docket raises common questions for residents, attorneys, and people with pending cases. The answers below cover the most searched topics about docket records, hearings, and public access in Waukegan, Illinois.
How do I look up a Lake County Court Docket case for free?
Open lakecountycircuitclerk.org and click the case search link. Type the full name or case number into the search bar and review the results. The portal does not charge a fee for basic docket searches. Users can view party names, filing dates, judge assignments, and the full list of docket entries without creating an account. Certified copies and printed docket sheets cost a small fee per page.
Can I see sealed cases on the Lake County Court Docket?
No. Sealed cases stay hidden from public search results. The Lake County Court Docket portal only returns records that the court has marked as public. Sealed adoption files, expunged criminal cases, and certain juvenile records do not appear in search results. Authorized parties can request access through the clerk office with proper identification and a court order when required.
How often does the Lake County Court Docket update?
New docket entries appear on the portal within 24 hours of filing. E-filed documents post faster than paper filings. The clerk office processes emergency motions and same-day orders within a few hours. Daily hearing schedules post by 8:00 AM on each court day.
What information do I need to search by name on the Lake County Court Docket?
Type the last name, a comma, and the first name into the search bar. Add a middle initial or birth year when the name is common. The portal returns a list of matching cases across all court divisions. Users can filter the list by case type, filing date, or judge to find the right case quickly.
Can I attend a Lake County Court Docket hearing by Zoom?
Yes, many hearings allow remote attendance by Zoom. The docket entry shows the meeting link, meeting ID, and password when remote attendance is allowed. Participants must sign in with their full name and wait in the virtual lobby until the court calls their case. Judges may switch to in-person attendance for trials and sentencings.
How do I get a certified copy of a Lake County Court Docket record?
Mark the record for purchase in the case search portal and pay the fee. Walk-in visitors can request certified copies at the clerk counter inside the Lake County Courthouse. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, payment, and a written description of the records needed. The clerk office stamps every certified copy with the official seal of the circuit court.
What is the difference between a docket and a court calendar in Lake County?
A docket shows the full list of filings, motions, orders, and rulings in a single case. A court calendar shows the schedule of hearings across many cases on a given day. The Lake County Court Docket portal gives access to both views. Attorneys use the docket for case history and the calendar for upcoming hearing dates.