Everything you need to know about the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Address, filing hours, local rules, trustee panel, and pro se resources.
Filing Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CT. Electronic filing (CM/ECF) available 24/7.
Filing Fees: Chapter 7: $338 | Chapter 13: $313 | Chapter 11: $1,738
Fee Waivers: Available for Chapter 7 filers with income below 150% of the federal poverty line. Chapter 13 filers may request installment payments.
Electronic Filing: Attorneys must file through CM/ECF. Pro se debtors may file on paper at the clerk's window or request CM/ECF access.
Local Rules: https://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/local-rules
Chapter 7 trustees are assigned from the U.S. Trustee panel for Region 11. Standing Chapter 13 Trustees serve the Chicago (Eastern) Division.
The U.S. Trustee Program oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases and maintains the panel of private trustees. You can find the current trustee panel at justice.gov/ust.
Location: 341 meetings for the Eastern Division are held at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604, or at designated trustee meeting facilities, or by phone/video.
What to Bring: Government-issued photo ID, proof of Social Security number, most recent tax return, recent pay stubs, and recent bank statements.
Timing: The 341 meeting is typically scheduled 20-40 days after filing. You will receive a notice with the exact date, time, and format. For more: 341meeting.org.
The N.D. Illinois has a robust Self-Help desk for pro se filers. The Chicago Bar Foundation, Legal Aid Chicago, and the LAF provide free assistance. The court's website has detailed self-help resources.
Required Forms: All bankruptcy forms are available at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.
Credit Counseling: You must complete credit counseling from an approved agency before filing. List of approved agencies: justice.gov/ust.
For more pro se filing resources: prosebankruptcy.org | filebankruptcywithoutlawyer.com.
FJC data covering N.D. Illinois filings. Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database. Attorney fee ranges are estimates based on local market data.
Exemptions: Illinois does not allow federal exemptions. Debtors must use Illinois state exemptions under 735 ILCS 5/12-1001 et seq. The homestead exemption is $15,000 per individual ($30,000 for joint filers).
For detailed exemption information: bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com.
File at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604. Complete credit counseling first, prepare your petition and schedules, and pay the filing fee. Attorneys must file electronically through CM/ECF.
Chapter 7 costs $338 and Chapter 13 costs $313. You can pay in installments or apply for a fee waiver. Attorney fees in Chicago typically range from $1,200-$2,500 for Chapter 7 and $3,000-$5,000 for Chapter 13.
The N.D. Illinois has historically been a hotbed for high-volume bankruptcy filers (so-called "mills") that process large numbers of cases with minimal individual attention. This has led to higher dismissal rates in some attorney practices. Research your attorney's track record carefully.
No. Illinois has opted out of the federal exemption scheme. You must use Illinois state exemptions. The homestead exemption is $15,000 per debtor ($30,000 joint). The wildcard exemption is $4,000.
341 meetings for the Eastern Division are held at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St, or at designated trustee facilities, or by phone/video. Your notice of meeting specifies the exact format, date, and time.
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