Court Rules
Judge

Judge Kevin G. Costello

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
22nd Judicial Circuit Court, McHenry County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs
Supporting MemorandumCourt-wide
15 pgs
DocumentCourt-wide
5 pgs
DocumentCourt-wide
15 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Brief

  • No Later Than 7 Days Before Hearing

Brief, Motion

Courtesy copies

  • Not required

Pretrial Memorandum

  • No Later Than 7 Days Before Hearing

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason For RequestNumber Of Previous Requests
Reason For Request

Communication

Phone

Clerk

815/334-4385
Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantLettersCourtesy CopiesMemorandaSettlementExhibitsJuryConferencesEvidence/Witnesses

Document Filing Requirements4 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

A courtesy copy should include a cover letter identifying the parties, case number, and hearing date and time, and should reach the court at least seven days before the hearing unless otherwise ordered.

Any courtesy copy should be accompanied by a cover letter which references the names of the parties, the number of the case, and the date and time of hearing and shall be provided to the court at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing or as otherwise ordered.

Document Type

Courtesy Copy Cover Letter

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
204-Standing-order-02-10-2023 · Feb 2023 · p. 1|SecCOURTESY COPIES
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

The court defers the pretrial memorandum's format to the parties provided it explains the dispute, claimed damages, and settlement-negotiation status.

The Court defers the format of the pretrial memorandum to the parties so long as the memorandum provide sufficient information to educate the Court as to the nature of the dispute, plaintiff's claimed damages, and the status of settlement negotiations.

Document Type

Pretrial Memorandum

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
204-Standing-order-02-10-2023 · Feb 2023 · p. 2|SecPRETRIAL CONFERENCES
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

At least seven days before the trial conference, counsel must provide the court and exchange a statement of the case.

At least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled trial conference, the attorneys for the parties shall provide the Court and shall have exchanged copies of the following: 1) Statement of the case; 2) Witness list; 3) Motions in limine; 4) Proposed jury instructions; and 5) Proposed exhibits list.

Document Type

Statement Of The Case

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
204-Standing-order-02-10-2023 · Feb 2023 · p. 2|SecTRIAL CONFERENCES
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important

When a draft agreed order involves a self-represented party, the draft should include that party's endorsement.

To the extent the draft involves a self-represented party, the draft should contain the endorsement of the self-represented party.

Document Type

Draft Agreed Order

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
204-Standing-order-02-10-2023 · Feb 2023 · p. 1|SecDRAFT AGREED ORDERS

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Draft orders should be submitted in open court contemporaneously or, if the court permits, by email to the stated address typically within 24 hours.

Draft orders following proceedings in open court should be submitted contemporaneously in open court, or, as allowed by the Court, (typically within 24 hours), by email to: proposedorders@22ndcircuit.illinoiscourts.gov.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | DRAFT ORDERS

The five listed trial-conference documents must be provided to the court and exchanged at least seven days before the conference.

At least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled trial conference, the attorneys for the parties shall provide the Court and shall have exchanged copies of the following:

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 2 | TRIAL CONFERENCES

To the extent possible, pleadings and other matters should be filed at least seven days before presentation in open court.

To the extent possible, pleadings and other matters to be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court with regard to a case, should be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the presentation of any such item in open court, so as to afford the Court sufficient opportunity to review the same.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 1 | PRESENTATION OF MOTION

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Copies of courtesy-copy cover letters must be provided to the specified parties in person or by mail at or about the same time the court receives its copy.

Copies of such letters shall be provided to all other parties of record along with any served party who has not been found in default, through means which will place the letter in the possession of each at or about the same time the Court receives the same. -In person or mailed

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 1 | COURTESY COPIES

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies are required only for briefs or motions in contested matters that have been set for hearing.

The Court only requires courtesy copies of briefs or motions related to contested matters that have been set for hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | COURTESY COPIES

The parties must provide courtesy copies of their pretrial memoranda no later than seven days before the pretrial conference.

The parties shall provide the Court with courtesy copies of their pretrial memorandums no later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled pretrial date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 2 | PRETRIAL CONFERENCES

The moving party must provide courtesy copies of all motion-related briefs to the court no later than seven days before the hearing.

The moving party shall provide the Court with courtesy copies of all briefs related to the motion no later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 2 | CONTESTED MOTION HEARINGS

Courtesy copies of motions awaiting presentation are neither expected nor required.

Courtesy copies of motions to be presented are not expected or required.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | COURTESY COPIES

Chambers Communication Rules

Questions about scheduling or submissions to the court may be directed by telephone to the Civil Case Manager at 815/334-4385.

Questions on scheduling or submissions to the Court may be directed to the Civil Case Manager in the Office of the Trial Court Administrator, at telephone number 815/334-4385.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases

Page 2 | QUESTIONS ON SCHEDULING OR SUBMISSIONS TO THE COURT

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 393 rules apply across 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, McHenry County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 162
  • Applies to
    Surety schedule

    A proposed surety must provide a schedule of property and net worth executed under oath, unless the court excuses filing under the stated consent or good-cause exceptions.

  • Applies to
    Bond

    If the court approves a proffered bond, the petition and schedules must be filed with and included in the bond.

  • Applies to
    Deposit authorization order

    An order authorizing a cash deposit must require the distribution to be payable jointly to the guardian, if any, and the depository, and must require a certified depository receipt stating that no withdrawals may occur without court approval.

Service

All 74
  • Service
    Mail

    Within seven days, the personal representative or attorney must mail copies of the petition, bond, and schedules to each heir, legatee, or nearest relative whose approval is not already on file, and must file proof of mailing with the clerk.

  • Applies to
    Notice of missing account or report
    Service
    Mail

    When a required account or report is not filed and approved, the clerk must mail notice to the representative and attorney of record requiring the account or report to be filed.

  • Applies to
    Notice of hearing on account

    Notice must be given at least seven days before the hearing under Supreme Court Rule 11, except when publication is used.

Filing Timing

All 48

  • A newly discovered safe deposit box must be inventoried promptly, and a supplemental inventory listing the box and contents must be filed within 30 days after discovery.

  • Unless the court excuses it, the decedent’s estate representative must present a verified administration account for court approval within 60 days after the first anniversary of issuance of letters of office.

  • After the initial account, the decedent’s estate representative must file a verified account annually within 60 days after each anniversary of the issuance of letters of office until administration is completed.

Formatting

All 30

  • The plaintiff’s attorney must prepare the notice for sale using the form available in the clerk’s office.

  • The required pretrial memorandum must be typewritten and follow the prescribed rules and Form 4.01(b), subject to the stated special-progress-call exception.

  • Jury instructions must be double-spaced and typed on plain 8.5-by-11-inch paper.

More categories

View all 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, McHenry County rules
About Judge Kevin G. Costello

Judge Kevin G. Costello holds the Civil I Call in Courtroom 204 of the 22nd Judicial Circuit of McHenry County, Illinois. Call scope: 1/2 of Eminent Domain (ED), 1/2 of Law Over $50,000 (LA), 1/2 of Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), and 1/2 of Governmental Corporation (GC); 1/2 of all Law (LM) (claims under $50,000). Hearing times: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. Status/Motion; Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. Set by Judge; Monday to Friday 1:30 p.m. Set by Judge.

Courtroom 204. The court asks callers to phone (815) 334-4310 to verify that the court date they have selected is available. Standing order: [Courtroom 204 Standing Order (Updated 02/10/2023)](https://www.22ndcircuitil.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/204-Standing-order-02-10-2023.pdf)

Common questions about Judge Kevin G. Costello's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Kevin G. Costello?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for briefs and motions. Courtesy copies are required only for briefs or motions in contested matters that have been set for hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section COURTESY COPIES

What must be included with courtesy copy cover letter filings before Judge Kevin G. Costello?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A courtesy copy should include a cover letter identifying the parties, case number, and hearing date and time, and should reach the court at least seven days before the hearing unless otherwise ordered.

View ruleSource: page 1, section COURTESY COPIES

What must be included with pretrial memorandum filings before Judge Kevin G. Costello?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The court defers the pretrial memorandum's format to the parties provided it explains the dispute, claimed damages, and settlement-negotiation status.

View ruleSource: page 2, section PRETRIAL CONFERENCES

How may parties contact Judge Kevin G. Costello's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Kevin G. Costello's clerk. The rule lists phone 815/334-4385. Questions about scheduling or submissions to the court may be directed by telephone to the Civil Case Manager at 815/334-4385.

View ruleSource: page 2, section QUESTIONS ON SCHEDULING OR SUBMISSIONS TO THE COURT

What filing deadlines does Judge Kevin G. Costello set?

The five listed trial-conference documents must be provided to the court and exchanged at least seven days before the conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section TRIAL CONFERENCES

What rule applies to service for courtesy copy cover letter before Judge Kevin G. Costello?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. Copies of courtesy-copy cover letters must be provided to the specified parties in person or by mail at or about the same time the court receives its copy.

View ruleSource: page 1, section COURTESY COPIES
Complete rules summary for Judge Kevin G. Costello

To the extent possible, pleadings and other matters should be filed at least seven days before presentation in open court.

Courtesy copies are required only for briefs or motions in contested matters that have been set for hearing.

Courtesy copies of motions awaiting presentation are neither expected nor required.

A courtesy copy should include a cover letter identifying the parties, case number, and hearing date and time, and should reach the court at least seven days before the hearing unless otherwise ordered.

Copies of courtesy-copy cover letters must be provided to the specified parties in person or by mail at or about the same time the court receives its copy.

When a draft agreed order involves a self-represented party, the draft should include that party's endorsement.

Draft orders should be submitted in open court contemporaneously or, if the court permits, by email to the stated address typically within 24 hours.

The moving party must provide courtesy copies of all motion-related briefs to the court no later than seven days before the hearing.

The parties must provide courtesy copies of their pretrial memoranda no later than seven days before the pretrial conference.

The court defers the pretrial memorandum's format to the parties provided it explains the dispute, claimed damages, and settlement-negotiation status.

At least seven days before the trial conference, counsel must provide the court and exchange a statement of the case.

The five listed trial-conference documents must be provided to the court and exchanged at least seven days before the conference.

Questions about scheduling or submissions to the court may be directed by telephone to the Civil Case Manager at 815/334-4385.

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