The Pretrial Division conducts the initial proceedings in various criminal cases, as listed below, and is in session every day of the year, including weekends and court holidays. On weekdays, the Pretrial Division conducts the initial bail hearings in all criminal (misdemeanor and felony) cases filed in the 1st Municipal District (city of Chicago), except felony cases resulting from grand jury action. On weekends and holidays, the Pretrial Division conducts the initial bail hearings in all criminal cases, regardless of the district or division in which they are filed, except cases resulting from grand jury action. Pursuant to Cook County Circuit Court General Order 1.2.1(i) (eff. Sept. 15, 2017), the Pretrial Division also hears the following matters:

• bail review hearings prior to transfer of the case to the Criminal Division, Domestic Violence Division, a suburban Municipal District, or a First District branch court, unless otherwise ordered by the court
  
• felony cases assigned to a pretrial diversion program pursuant to Adult Redeploy Illinois, 730 ILCS 190/20, or referred to a deferred prosecution program
  
• preliminary examination (probable cause for detention) hearings, including emergency hearings outside of regular business hours
  
• extradition (fugitive) cases
  
• return of intrastate (other Illinois counties) warrants
  
• return of warrants for violation of probation or bail bond
  
• (weekends and holidays) return of body attachments (warrants) in civil cases, including, but not necessarily limited to, warrants for unpaid child support
  
• applications for search warrants, including emergency applications outside of regular business hours

Parking:
Parking is available to attorneys, members of the Chicago Police Department, subpoenaed witnesses and family members and criminal court staff.  Be prepared to show your employee ID card or your summons to the Sheriff's Deputy.

The parking lot and parking structure are located off of the southeast corner of 26^th Street and California Ave.

Public parking is available through metered street parking and at pay lots located on California Avenue just north of 26^th street.

Transportation: 
All Cook County Courthouses can be reached by public transportation. To create an itinerary over the phone, or for the most current routes and schedules for both city and suburb via – ADA Paratransit, CTA, METRA or PACE Bus, call the RTA Travel Information Center at (312) 836-7000 or TDD/TTY (312) 836-4949 or visit their website for information and use the trip planner.

GAO 2023-03 - Pretrial Division Weekday Schedules, Eff. September 18, 2023

GAO 2023-02 - Pretrial Division Weekday Schedules, Eff. June 5, 2023

GAO 2023-01 - Pretrial Division Weekday Schedules, Eff. May 11, 2023