The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois is the federal trial court for 46 counties in central Illinois (28 U.S.C. § 93(b)). Its courthouses are in Peoria, Springfield, Urbana and Rock Island. Here is where the court sits, who prosecutes and defends cases there, and its local sentencing rules.
We handle federal cases nationwide.
Where does the court sit?
The district has no divisions set by statute. By law, court is held at Champaign/Urbana, Danville, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island and Springfield (28 U.S.C. § 93(b)). The court's site lists courthouses in four of those cities:
Peoria
U.S. Courthouse, 100 N.E. Monroe Street. Civil Local Rule 40.1 assigns Fulton, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties here.
Springfield
U.S. Courthouse, 600 E. Monroe Street. Assigned counties include Sangamon, Adams, Christian, Macoupin, Morgan and 11 others.
Urbana
U.S. Courthouse, 201 S. Vine Street. Assigned counties include Champaign, Coles, Kankakee, Macon, Vermilion and 6 others.
Rock Island
U.S. Courthouse, 1701 4th Avenue. Assigned counties include Rock Island, Henry, Knox, Bureau, McDonough and 5 others.
Civil Local Rule 40.1 is written for civil filings. In a criminal case, the charging papers and the docket show which courthouse the case is in.
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Which appeals court covers it?
Appeals from this court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). Its decisions are binding on the federal judges in this district, so its precedent governs cases here (uscourts.gov, About the U.S. Courts of Appeals).
Our Seventh Circuit appeals guide covers deadlines and the court’s own rules for criminal appeals.
Who prosecutes and who defends?
Federal prosecutors here work for the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Anyone charged with a federal crime who can’t afford a lawyer can ask the court to appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). Here, appointed lawyers come from the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Central District of Illinois, a Federal Public Defender office with offices in Peoria, Rock Island, Springfield and Urbana, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where are the local rules and sentencing procedures?
Every federal court follows the national rules, such as the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, plus its own local rules. This court publishes them on its local rules page.
Criminal Local Rule 32.1 sets the sentencing hearing no earlier than 70 days after a guilty plea or guilty verdict. The presentence report and the probation officer's sentencing recommendation are sealed, and the recommendation is not shared unless the judge orders otherwise. The federal rule sets the report deadlines: the report goes to the defense at least 35 days before sentencing, and objections are due within 14 days (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(e)(2), (f)).
“The sentencing hearing in each criminal case will be scheduled by the presiding judge no earlier than 70 days following the entry of a guilty plea or a verdict of guilty.”
Is Brandon Sample admitted in this court?
Yes. Brandon Sample is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. He has also handled federal cases in courts across the country.
Which federal prisons are in this district?
Bureau of Prisons facilities in this district (bop.gov lists its judicial district as Central Illinois):
- FCI Pekin
Medium security, with a satellite camp. Pekin, Illinois.
A prison being in this district doesn’t mean someone sentenced here will go there. The Bureau of Prisons decides where each person serves their sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3621(b)).
What should you know about a federal case in this district?
- The first hearing comes fast. After an arrest, the person goes before a magistrate judge without unnecessary delay for an initial appearance (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(a)). The judge decides whether they stay in custody while the case goes on (18 U.S.C. § 3142).
- Most felony cases start with an indictment. A grand jury decides in private whether to approve the charges (Fed. R. Crim. P. 6, 7).
- The presentence report matters. A federal probation officer writes a report on the offense and the person’s life before sentencing, and the defense can object to mistakes in it (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(c)–(f)). Check this court’s schedule above.
- The judge decides the sentence. The judge must consider the Sentencing Guidelines and the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including the person’s history and background. Family and friends can write letters; there is no limit on the background information a judge may consider (18 U.S.C. § 3661).
- The appeal clock is short. A defendant’s notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
- Prison phones and email are monitored. Don’t discuss the case on them (28 C.F.R. § 540.102).
How a federal criminal case works →
More questions about federal cases →
Questions about the Central District of Illinois
Which courthouse will a Central District of Illinois case be in?
It depends on the county where the case arose. The court's site lists courthouses in Peoria, Springfield, Urbana and Rock Island, and federal law also names Danville and Quincy as places where court is held (28 U.S.C. § 93(b)). The court's Civil Local Rule 40.1 assigns each county to one of the four courthouses. In a criminal case, the charging papers and the docket show where the case is pending.
How soon after a guilty plea is sentencing in this court?
No sooner than 70 days. Criminal Local Rule 32.1(A) says the judge schedules the sentencing hearing no earlier than 70 days after a guilty plea or guilty verdict. That leaves time for the presentence report, which goes to the defense at least 35 days before sentencing (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(e)(2)).
When are pretrial motions due in the Central District of Illinois?
Within 21 days of arraignment, unless the judge sets another time. Criminal Local Rule 12.1 sets that deadline for motions under Fed. R. Crim. P. 12(b)(3), such as a motion to suppress evidence or a motion raising a defect in the indictment.
Who represents people here who can't afford a lawyer?
The court can appoint a lawyer (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). In this district, appointed lawyers come from the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Central District of Illinois, which has offices in Peoria, Rock Island, Springfield and Urbana, or from a panel of private lawyers the court approves.
Where do appeals from this court go?
To the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (28 U.S.C. §§ 41, 1294(1)). A defendant's notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days after the judgment is entered (Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)).
Sources
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- C.D. Ill. court locations
- 28 U.S.C. § 93
- C.D. Ill. Local Rules (eff. Sept. 3, 2026 PDF)
- Fed. R. Crim. P. 32
- 28 U.S.C. § 41 (circuits)
- uscourts.gov: About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
- USAO Central District of Illinois
- Federal Public Defender, C.D. Ill.
- FCI Pekin (bop.gov)
- BOP locations list