Find Skokie Courthouse
Use the map for orientation. Your court notice, citation, or bond paperwork controls the exact courtroom and arrival instructions.
If you were arrested in the second district of Cook County, your case will be heard at the Skokie Courthouse, located at 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL(opens in a new tab). It is the Cook County Second Municipal District, and it handles misdemeanor, felony and traffic matters for the towns listed further down this page.
Cook County splits everything outside Chicago into six suburban court districts. Skokie, also called the Old Orchard Courthouse, is the courthouse for the second district, which stretches from the North Shore down through Park Ridge and Des Plaines near O’Hare.
Skokie Courthouse hours, parking, and contact
Cook County lists regular in-person hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is in Room 136 and can be reached at (847) 470-7250. The courthouse’s main phone number is (847) 470-7675.
Parking is currently free in the parking structure east of the courthouse. The structure has an elevator and accessible parking. Cook County also publishes the current cellphone and electronic-device policy(opens in a new tab), so review it before you arrive.
Everyone entering goes through a security line, so leave more time than you think you need. Missing your call because you were still downstairs is treated the same as not showing up.
Bring a form of photo ID and expect the line to move slowly during the morning misdemeanor and traffic calls. If your case involves more than one charge, bring your citation or bond paperwork so the courtroom clerk can pull the right file quickly.
Nicholas W. Ktenas spent time as a Cook County prosecutor before moving to the defense side, and he now focuses on DUI and criminal defense. Having stood on the other side of the courtroom in Cook County gives him a working sense of how a suburban call is run and what a prosecutor looks at when a case like yours comes up.
Why felony cases pass through Skokie first
This district hears misdemeanor cases, traffic matters and the early stages of felony cases. If you are charged with a felony, the preliminary hearing happens here, and the case is then transferred to the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 2600 S California Ave in Chicago for the remainder.
A preliminary hearing is where a judge decides whether the state has enough evidence to move a case forward, not whether you are guilty. That transfer matters more than most people expect. What happens at the preliminary hearing in Skokie shapes what the felony court sees first, including which charges survive and how the case gets framed once it reaches Chicago.
Skokie’s courtroom assignments and call times
Skokie’s traffic and misdemeanor cases use a key-date system. Cook County says court calls are daily at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., with cases heard in Courtrooms 101 through 104 according to the date assigned to the municipality. A monthly schedule is available in Room 219.
| Call | Courtroom | Start time |
|---|---|---|
| Felony initial appearance, preliminary hearing, or motion | Courtroom 105 | Court schedule and key date |
| Felony arraignment and later hearings | Courtrooms 107, 108, 206, 207, 208, or 209 | Calls begin at 9:30 a.m. |
| Misdemeanor | Courtrooms 101, 102, 103, or 104 | 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. |
| Traffic | Courtrooms 101, 102, 103, or 104 | 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. |
The current Cook County courtroom information(opens in a new tab) says preliminary hearings are conducted by key and calendar and that courtroom assignments can change. Treat the room, date, and time on your own ticket or bond paperwork as the ones that control.
Getting a straight answer before you walk in
Waiting until your court date to learn what you are facing leaves you guessing in a hallway. A short call ahead of time can tell you what your charge carries, what the first appearance actually involves, and what questions to expect. Contact us for a free, confidential case review before your Skokie court date.
Which north and northwest suburbs file into Skokie
If you were arrested in any of these towns, or by their police department, your case is heard here.
- Deerfield
- Des Plaines
- Evanston
- Glencoe
- Glenview
- Golf
- Kenilworth
- Lincolnwood
- Morton Grove
- Niles
- Northbrook
- Northfield
- Oakton
- Park Ridge
- Skokie
- Wilmette
- Winnetka
The department that arrested you, not the town where you live, decides where a case is filed. Someone arrested in Skokie while visiting from another county still answers to this courthouse. There is no permanent public town-to-room chart: Cook County uses key dates for these calls, and the monthly schedule is available in Room 219. If your paperwork is unclear, call the Clerk at (847) 470-7250 before you travel.
The courthouse is reached by public transportation, and the county directs visitors to the RTA trip planner for current CTA, Metra, Pace, and paratransit routes. Allow time for screening and bring your citation or bond paperwork.
How we help clients called into Skokie
- DUI defense if you were arrested for driving under the influence, whether this is a first DUI or a case involving prior offenses
- Criminal defense for misdemeanor and felony charges, including cases moving toward felony review
- Traffic ticket defense for citations and license issues that carry consequences beyond a fine
For how the districts fit together, see Cook County court districts.
If this is a DUI case, our guide to preparing for a DUI hearing covers what to bring and what to expect before you walk into court.
Common questions about the Skokie call
A missed court date usually means the judge issues a warrant and, if you posted bond, that bond can be forfeited. If something comes up and you cannot make it, contact an attorney right away instead of waiting to see what happens next.
No. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are handled here from the first appearance through the end of the case. Only felony matters move on to the Leighton Courthouse in Chicago, and only after the preliminary stage.
The first appearance is where bond conditions and early deadlines get set, and those decisions can shape the rest of the case. Having someone speak for you starting on that first date gives you a voice in the room instead of catching up later.
Traffic and misdemeanor calls are scheduled at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. under the key-date system. Felony calls begin at 9:30 a.m., while preliminary hearings are handled in Courtroom 105 by key and calendar. The exact time printed on your own ticket or bond paperwork controls.
Because of where you were arrested. Venue is set by the town or police department that made the arrest, not by your home address. Someone visiting from another county still answers to the Skokie courthouse if the arrest happened in one of the towns this district covers.
Bring a form of photo ID, and if your case involves more than one charge, bring your citation or bond paperwork so the clerk can pull the right file quickly. Expect the security line to move slowly during the morning misdemeanor and traffic calls, so arrive with enough time to get through it before your call.
Ready to talk about your Skokie court date
You will speak to an attorney, not an intake screener. Tell us what you were charged with and what your court date is, and you will get a straight read on what the charge carries and what is realistically arguable.
If we are not the right firm for your case, we will say so. Reach out today for a free, confidential review of your case before you step into the Skokie courtroom.
For current building details, see the official Skokie Courthouse listing(opens in a new tab) and courtroom schedule(opens in a new tab).
Last reviewed 08/26/2026
