I don't know why I'm always disappointed by government employees and services. I should know better…read morethan to expect anything besides a terrible experience. It's just frustrating that almost anytime you deal with a governmental employee, they seem gruff at best. And even those working in one of the more joyous units of county government! I called with some questions when the woman called me back, she was muttering under her breath--I don't think she expected me to pick up because I had call screening on. But she apologized for like 30 seconds at the beginning of the call saying it was a bad day, she was annoyed, but not at me--a very professional start. She did provide good directions--119 W Randolph, take the escalator downstairs. And yes, you'll enter on the Randolph side; don't use the Clark or LaSalle entrance or you'll probably get a bit turned around. But what was especially annoying is that they close for like 2.5 hours during the day. That isn't really made clear anywhere except for the sign right outside the office door, and in the two phone calls I had with them before stopping in they didn't mention being closed from 11:30 to 2. So plan accordingly. There's a $10 fee, cash only (also incredibly weird as far as I'm concerned, from both the safety perspective and that it's the year 2026). If you forget your fee, there's an ATM upstairs. On the plus side, this location performs ceremonies all week without appointments, unlike the suburban courthouses. Saturday they do require appointments, but it's nice that do any on Saturdays.

Went here for our marriage license and then to get married and the same security guard helped us…read moreboth times, he was so nice and sweet. The staff were really nice. Every thing went smoothly and fast.

I stop in here about once a month to pick up rabies tags for the clinic. The parking is a mess. It…read moreis always full and even though it's beside the building it's several "blocks" to the front door with lots of deep pot house. Nice greeting. Of course there is a metal detector but the staff is alway friendly and chatty. The building itself is rough, still has areas that were abandoned due to covid protocols. It really needs some updating but it's a typical government building. Urg

Must better experience then it was years ago. I needed to get a copy of a few of my records and ran…read moreinto a few hiccups but, the clerk who assisted me happened to see me coming back while she was outside taking a break and went out of her way to walk me through all the steps so I wouldn't have to go back and forth. She helped me solve all of the issues and misinformation I was previously given and I was squared away and ready to go within a few hours. She even printed some documents for free for my troubles. Please hire more people like her. Everyone that comes to the courthouse has varying reasons for being there but all should be treated with decency and respect. A little kindness goes a long way.

Okay, I didn't read the reviews before I had to report for jury duty. Let me help you out…read more This complex consists of multiple buildings. DO NOT turn in at the "Main Entrance" which is a stop light. I wish I had known that because even though the sign says building 505 the actual drive ends at 501 with no additional signs. However, if you enter at the "North Entrance" I am pretty sure there are signs pointing in the right direction. The reason this is a problem is because the number for this building in on the east side of the building and driving up ~ you are looking at the west side of the building. So, drive to the end and enter the free parking garage. It will be busy and looks very crowded ~ that is because you can only drive one way and it just takes you in a loop. However, if you follow the "out" sign instead of the "parking" sign there are tons of available parking spaces. The garage is not attached directly to building 505 but just a short distance which may impact weather related dress and accessories. Once in the building there is 1 security check point and everything goes through the scanner. The wait time was not extensive. The jury room is spacious, coffee, tea, and ice water are provided. There are vending machines for other items. Restrooms are within the confines of the room. Just bring something to help you pass the time, and, yes, cell phones and laptops are allowed. You receive your check when you leave.

Blonde lady's got a nasty attitude that someone should check you should also probably post your…read moretimes open online so people don't come outside of business hours - why give me a ticket and then not allow me to pay that ticket makes no sense whole process is a joke

Well, I hope that if you find yourself here, it's to VIEW proceedings or a trial (versus actually…read moretaking part) or using their legal library. With that said, here are a few tips: You cannot bring ANY food or beverages in, including water. Apparently the thought is that, instead of water, you might have a liquid accelerant in that thar bottle. If you DO bring your water bottle in, you'll either have to empty it in the plants outside of the front doors, or walk back to your car, since McHenry County's Finest at the front won't let you throw it away inside of their garbage cans. (I wonder if there are vending machines somewhere inside, though, because I've seen counsel with food and beverage items..or, maybe the rules are bent for them?) If you're taking part in a divorce hearing, good luck: the judges are known to be snarly. The one my family went in front of actually got pretty theatrical and showed huge favoritism towards a drawn-out trial involving an attorney (versus following through with a scheduled trial that we were prepared for). If you try to do something yourself and end up, say, at the State's Attorney's Office, you probably won't get very far. We actually got quite the run-around from them, so now my family's attorney has to send a letter to get the State's Attorney to act (re: having someone prosecuted for filing false charges with the court). The Police Department wasn't much better at first (the female officer at the front desk was also very snarly...sensing a theme here?), but things improved when we were able to talk to a more head-officer and he took his time out to listen to our issue and explain procedures to us since we were misinformed by others. Some of McHenry County's Finest WERE friendly in directing us to where we needed to go, and did so with a smile. And one carried on a conversation with my brother (who was wearing his military dress uniform). Maybe it's because we were wearing more than our weekend sweats, didn't look shady, my brother's in the service, and we had our 90 year old great aunt in tow? If you're bored and have nothing else to do, though, I gotta say: this is the best free entertainment/people-watching EVER.

There's a snack machine and pop machine but no coffee vending machine. Some hot coffee would be…read morenice. It's cold here. The security guards are cranky.

Who really likes a Courthouse ? Not many people. This courthouse however is a major upgrade…read morecompared to the old one. Finding parking isn't hard as spaces are usually available, there are some days where you would have to park on a street or even acouple blocks away in downtown Joliet. Handicap spaces are available upfront in the parking lot. I believe there are 2 auto parking meters and parking starts at $8.00. The parking lot attendant does check vehicles to enforce payment. Cellphones are now allowed on your personal as long as you have it on silent but it doesn't matter because internet signal is to a minimum or you'll have none at all. There are two metal detectors and 1 line, be sure to have zero metal "best to take off your belt" before you walk in the door. Hats are to be taken off, Vapes will be discarded "keep it in your vehicle". There are elevators and now escalators in this new courthouse as well. Bathrooms "small" are available on each floor.

My first time coming here a week or two ago. Don't ask why I ended up here. This building will only…read morebe here until November 2020 until they open the new courthouse next door. For a courthouse this looks like a concrete fortress. Things that are awful about this place is that parking is an issue! I had to park by the train stop and pay 5 bucks. Cell phones aren't allowed in the building, yet the courthouse in Bridgeview was lenient about it. The fourth floor is where are the felony cases are being handled. This building is old, ugly interior, terrible plumbing, it feels outdated in the court room like you're in a 1950s time capsule. Bail money can be picked up from the second floor. It's got cool artifacts to look at on the exterior of the building facing Jefferson Avenue. Homeless people hang out side the building as well.

This place bites. I needed to get some documents from the vital records office and when we got…read morethere, the security guard said that office was closed (I guess that's why there were people pouring out of the building a few minutes after 4 pm). He also told me that apparently the vital records office runs on an appointment only basis. Yet when I made my appointment for the following day, they let folks in who didn't have an appointment. Weird. I don't really love this new development, especially since you don't know about it unless you show up or I guess look at their website beforehand. This is a relatively new system, because when I went to pick up some record a couple years ago from this same office at this courthouse and was able to walk in and do it within fifteen minutes. And when you get there they make you sit directly next to one another--four of us were sitting elbow to below when there were at least a dozen and a half chairs there. If you want to walk in, go downtown for assistance.

The lady who eventually helped me was a pro, and very helpful. The walk from the garage to the…read moreroom I needed was nearly 2 blocks. A lot of cops looking authoritative standing around by the metal detector. Yes, you will need to remove your belt. The place isn't handicap-friendly. Come prepared.

This courthouse is the worse courthouse ever I was trying to ask for a continuance…read moreBecause the judge before her did not tell me what class I was approved for, and when I went in person to pick up the paper, only thing it had was the way to schedule the class and phone number I called the people on the paper. They said that I would need my ticket number and the class that a judge approved me for and yes, I did have two months, but y'all didn't give me all the stuff I needed I'm 17 years old plus I have a special learning, disability, reading and writing she was so rude wouldn't even let me speak. I believe she might be racist. her name is. Elizabeth ciacvia Lexus I see why people get lawyers. Shouldn't know human being be treated like that. My court time was for 9 AM. I was up on zoom at 8:30. Something was happening with the zoom so when I logged back on at 10, it finally showed me a different court ID number in password so I use that and I even called up to the courthouse before that. She made me wait all the time so she can take me. In had the nerve to be so mean but anyways, they gave me six months supervision without any moving violations and I have to pay them$354 that is crazy

The Family Court System in IL is broken…read more A single Father has no value until it's time to garnish and steal. Let's not consider; I love my child and am happy to provide. The assumption is I'm here to serve only myself and must be compelled to contribute. Are there any resources for Single Fathers? Are Father's Rights or Parenting Time protected? No, our only resource are expensive lawyers. The whole Child Support System is like dealing with The KGB & Communism. It should be dismantled today.

My whole experience! It was a great day for me to see a staff, and most other employees, that are…read moreoperating/presenting themselves as professionals, who have pride in performing their various duties. The most impressive thing that I noticed, was the perfect "People Skills" that each of them, posess, at every station of operation! It was a JOY, to NOT find "PERSONAL FEELINGS", interferring with the information, directions, etc. THAT says to ME, that the: "kind spirit of love for HUMANITY", is priority. That feature is LACKING, in the majority of most employees, and businesses. Service, not ATTITUDES! Kudos, to Markham Courthouse facility!

I was at the 6th District Cook County Court at Markham, IL on 4-25-2025. I have been there on…read moreseveral occasions, including jury duty service. It was not terribly busy yesterday and I was able to take care of my court business fairly quickly and leave. It seemed to be a fairly slow day (which is not always the case). Telephone calls to the courthouse are best made early in the day, around 11 a.m. and NOT at days' end (4:30 p.m. though it can be earlier). Activity in the courthouse picks up around 2 p.m. The phone system for the most part works okay. If you have a direct number, it really helps. Given the amount of people that come to the courthouse I think the employees are helpful especially in giving directions to courtrooms and other administrative departments. I am a retired legal assistant so some of these items are fairly familiar. I think the various Clerk of Cook County webpages have been updated over the years. They can answer some but not all questions but access to a computer and having an inquiring mind concerning the court computer system and what can be done online and what cannot be done would be required to obtain the needed information. There are some items that an attorney or other legal staffperson would need to be involved in. In some occasions it might be necessary to go to the courthouse to pay fines, pull up documents and get answers to questions if needed. Good luck.

This courthouse is the worse courthouse ever | was trying to ask for a continuance…read moreBecause the judge before her did not tell me what class I was approved for, and when I went in person to pick up the paper, only thing it had was the way to schedule the class and phone number | called the people on the paper. They said that I would need my ticket number and the class that a judge approved me for and yes, I did have two months, but y'all didn't give me all the stuff I needed I'm 17 years old plus I have a special learning, disability, reading and writing she was so rude wouldn't even let me speak. I believe she might be racist. her name is. Elizabeth ciacvia Lexus I see why people get lawyers. Shouldn't know human being be treated like that. My court time was for 9 AM. I was up on zoom at 8:30. Something was happening with the zoom so when | logged back on at 10, it finally showed me a different court ID number in password so 1 use that and I even called up to the courthouse before that. She made me wait all the time so she can take me. In had the nerve to be so mean but anyways, they gave me six months supervision without any moving violations and I have to pay them$354 that is crazy

I'd give it zero stars if it was an option the employees at the clerks office won't answer the…read morephon. They don't even speak English well or spanish.They don't try to help at all , I called 16 times today and it had to be the same person but they kept hanging up on me. I'm very disappointed because I'm trying to figure out my court date and they won't help me if I get a warrant it's because they wouldn't help me. It's not my fault I can't understand their choppy English and I have to pay for it .

I recently had jury duty in the "George N. Leighton" criminal courthouse. By the way, Judge…read moreLeighton has a great story of his own and I encourage you all to Google and find out. I saw a few yelpers' reviews on the courthouse itself and their experiences. There was no cafeteria anymore. Instead, there were vending machines, featuring Farmer's Fridge and other generic ones, inside the jurors' waiting room. Overall, the offerings were quite decent and eating surely would make the time go by a bit faster! I did use the bathroom a few times and the janitor came through several times to tidy things up. Fortunately, we were dismissed early due to the defendant' plea deal. To be honest, I would love to be called to the court room and get that "voir dire" process started. Anyway, I was fine either way since it would be a long way traveling back home and traffic wasn't heavy in the late morning/early afternoon. The information video seemed to be updated from the last time I served my first jury duty (sometime 2017), except Judge Timothy C. Evans' introduction filed in the 90's still existed. That part could use some new technology because it didn't sync with the rest of the contents. People couldn't be any nicer! Everyone I talked to was polite. I almost wanted to use the lactation room, as I found out we were going to be dismissed soon. I opted out but the facility would be available for nursing moms and I bet the clerk would be happy to help. For transportation options, CTA bus #94 drops passengers in front of the courtroom and parking lot. Jurors can park for free and there is an instruction on the summon. The Pink Line California station is approximately of a 10-min walk and it seems safe during the day, yet exercise your own discretion.

I was affirmed to be serving jury duty in person at this criminal Court in Chicago. Today, it was…read morean epic subzero day where most schools were closed. Jury duty members and members attending their court date arrived and entered the same entrance across the street from the parking garage. Getting in around 8:30, an hour earlier than the reported time, seemed to be a good idea, however, there was a bit of a lack of efficiency in the way the lines were queued up. If you are attending courts for any reason and you are not in jury duty, you must check your mobile phone or not bring it into the building at all. If you have a summons to be on jury duty, you are allowed to bring in a laptop, tablet, mobile device while the mobile device is officially allowed. There is a Starbucks stand after the metal detectors at entrance. But as the office of the clerk says, that thing is fake. They never opened it. So look at your hopes up. The cafeteria doesn't exist anymore on the first floor, you are relegated to vending machines, one of which is a farmers fridge. On the second and third floor. Floor. You will head to the third floor and spend the majority of your day through 4:30 p.m. I was selected shortly after lunch. At the roll call, your panel number paper is adorned with a red jury member badge. The 30 to 34 people seemed to include four to five panels. We were shepherded down, across and up to another location where the court rooms are. The walk from the third floor jury duty, waiting room to the courtrooms were through a few ornate corridors and stairwells. I suspect this building is pretty cool inside architecturally speaking. The room we were in was circular and the audio was well adjusted. I do not envy the people who have the hold court everyday. The judge asks the same questions to each of the first 28 people who were selected to be in the court room. There are rest rooms in the juror room (if you get picked after the completion of voir dire) or outside of the courtrooms at the exterior edge of the floor. Restrooms are one person at a time. This is the furthest I've participated in jury duty. At the end of the day, which ended about 5pm, I was not selected to be a jurer. The intent of this trial was to last through this Friday, at worst. Pay for the day is $35 USD and parking is free.