Cook County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

Cook County civil filers pay small tech fee

The Magistrate Court of Cook County can charge a technology fee when you file a civil case. The chief magistrate sets the amount, but it cannot be more than $5 per filing. The clerk keeps this money in a separate account that an auditor approved by the county can audit. The court may use the money only for technology: computers; leasing, installing, and maintaining hardware; and imaging, scanning, fax, communications, projection, and printing equipment and software. The authority to charge this fee ends July 1, 2030. After that date, filers do not pay it. Any leftover funds stay dedicated to Cook County technology uses, and once a year the chief magistrate may declare a surplus to transfer to the county government.