Winnebago County Court

County Resources

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Winnebago County Court Information

The current Winnebago County Courthouse, completed in 1968, is actually the fifth version of the courthouse. The first was built in 1838, then a larger one was built in 1841. A third courthouse replaced that one in 1844. The fourth courthouse was built in 1878, with an addition added in 1916.

The Criminal Justice Center was completed in 2004. However, the county courthouse remains the location of most court cases.

Locations

Winnebago County Courthouse
400 West State Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4806

Criminal Justice Center
650 West State Street
Rockford, IL 61102
(815) 319-4806

Juvenile Justice Center
211 South Court Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4806

United States District Court
Northern District of Illinois
Western Division
Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse
327 S. Church Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-4354

Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk is elected by the residents of the county, but this office is considered a non-judicial office of the state. The Clerk has many duties, such as recording all trial court cases, including traffic, misdemeanor, felony, law (civil), chancery, juvenile, and domestic relations. The Clerk must attend all Circuit Court sessions and preserve all records from the court.

Thomas A. Klein
Winnebago County Circuit Court Clerk
Winnebago County Courthouse
400 West State St.
Rockford, IL 61101
815-319-4500

County Clerk

The County Clerk is an elected county office. The County Clerk acts as a clerk of the county board and must attend all meetings and keep records. The County Clerk is also the chief election officer for the county and is responsible for marriage licenses, assumed business name registration, and liquor licenses for the unincorporated parts of the county. The County Clerk is the official record keeper for the county government. The County Clerk also performs the duty of the County Recorder.

Lori Gummow
Winnebago County Clerk
County Administration Building
404 Elm Street, Room 104
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4250

United States District Court

Winnebago County is part of the Northern District of Illinois for the United States District Court. The Western division includes Boone, DeKalb, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Winnebago, Lee, Stephenson, Winnebago, and Whiteside Counties.

Virginia M. Kendall is the Chief United States District Judge of the Northern District of Illinois. Thomas G. Burton is the Clerk of Court for the Northern District.

Circuit Court

Courts in Winnebago County fall under the jurisdiction of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Illinois. A trial court administrator handles the administration for the courts. The circuit courts function as trial courts of original jurisdiction. There are 25 judicial districts in Illinois.

There are two types of judges, circuit judges and associate judges. Circuit judges are responsible for appointing associate judges to 4-year terms. Associated judges can hear cases as determined by the designated circuit judge or chief judge.

Civil Court

Civil courts hear cases that are not criminal in nature and usually involve a financial or property dispute between two people. The Civil Division includes arbitration, chancery, law, probate, and small claims.

Arbitration is mandated in small-claims cases and in cases involving more than $10,000 but less than $50,000. Cases are heard by three arbitrators who deliver a non-binding decision. Parties have 30 days to decide whether to accept the decision.

Chancery Court is used for civil cases that don’t involve monetary damages, such as foreclosures and injunctions.

Law Court is for civil suits involving more than $50,000, such as malpractice and personal injury cases. Small Claims is used for civil suits involving less than $10,000.

Probate Court is used to settle disputes over wills and estates. It also hears cases involving guardianship of disabled adults and minor children.

Criminal Court

Criminal Court handles most cases involving criminal offenses, including felonies and misdemeanors. Felony charges may result in a person being sentenced to 1 year or more in prison. Misdemeanor charges can result in a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail.

Family Court

Family Court hears cases involving paternity, legal separation or divorce, child custody and visitation, and spousal/child support.

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court hears cases involving delinquency, dependency, and emancipation. Delinquency refers to criminal offenses. Dependency refers to truancy or cases where a child has been neglected or abused.

Veterans Court

Veterans Court may be offered as an alternative to military veterans who have been charged with criminal offenses and have underlying mental health or substance abuse disorders.

However, offenders charged with a crime of violence or one who has been convicted of a crime of violence in the past 5 years are not eligible.

Drug Court

Drug Court involves a long-term treatment plan for offenders who admit to a substance abuse problem and agree to treatment. Candidates must be residents of Winnebago County, must be at least 18, and must be charged with a nonviolent felony crime. Those charged with or convicted of violent crimes are not eligible.