The Northern District of Illinois covers Chicago and 17 surrounding counties in northern Illinois. It has two divisions: Eastern, based in Chicago, and Western, based in Rockford. Here is where the court sits, who prosecutes and defends cases there, and its local sentencing schedule.
We handle federal cases nationwide.
Where does the court sit?
The district has two divisions (28 U.S.C. § 93(a)). The court's site lists these courthouses:
Eastern Division: Chicago
Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street. Covers Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle and Will counties.
Western Division: Rockford
Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 South Church Street. Covers Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.
United States District Court for the Northern 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).
Who prosecutes and who defends?
Federal prosecutors here work for the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern 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 Defender Program for the Northern District of Illinois, a Community Defender organization, an independent nonprofit, 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.
Local Criminal Rule 32.1 sets a longer schedule than the federal minimum: sentencing is set at least 84 days after a guilty plea or verdict, the probation officer issues the presentence report at least 35 days before sentencing, and the defense files objections at least 14 days before sentencing. Objections not filed on time are treated as waived unless there is good cause.
“Any objection or correction not filed at that time shall be deemed waived, unless for good cause shown”
Is Brandon Sample admitted in this court?
Yes. Brandon Sample is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern 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 their judicial district as Northern Illinois):
- MCC Chicago
Administrative security; holds people before trial and sentencing. 71 West Van Buren Street, Chicago.
- FCI Thomson
Low security, with a satellite camp. Thomson, Carroll County, 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 families should know about federal cases 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. Families 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).
Questions about the Northern District of Illinois
Will my loved one's case be in Chicago or Rockford?
It depends on the county. Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle and Will counties are in the Eastern Division in Chicago; the ten counties to the west and northwest, including Winnebago and McHenry, are in the Western Division in Rockford (28 U.S.C. § 93(a)).
How long after a guilty plea is sentencing in this court?
At least 84 days. The court's Local Criminal Rule 32.1(c) says the sentencing hearing is set not less than 84 days after the determination of guilt, which leaves time for the presentence report and objections.
What if my loved one can't afford a lawyer?
The court can appoint one (18 U.S.C. § 3006A). In this district, appointed lawyers come from the Federal Defender Program 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 Northern District of Illinois
- 28 U.S.C. § 93
- N.D. Ill. Local Rules (PDF, amended through May 4, 2026)
- N.D. Ill. CJA Plan
- 28 U.S.C. § 41 (circuits)
- uscourts.gov: About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
- USAO Northern District of Illinois
- Federal Defender Program, N.D. Ill.
- MCC Chicago (bop.gov)
- FCI Thomson (bop.gov)